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What are Progressive Web Apps?

If you have wondered whether web apps will ever behave like modern mobile apps with enhanced features, then you are in for a treat. Technology giants like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Mozilla have come with a newer technology involving web applications known as Progressive Web Apps (PWA’s). These apps behave similarly to native apps with offline support, syncing and push notifications which can run on all browsers and platforms.

‘Progressive’ term represents the enhanced features that are added to the normal web applications such as web camera, location services, and other trackers frequently found in mobile applications. These apps can be installed directly on to the web browser and a shortcut icon will appear on the home taskbar. When you launch this app on your screen, it will start performing its tasks quickly and send you instant notifications even if you’re offline.

How do Progressive Web Apps Work?

Progressive web apps are websites that behave like a mobile application with many features technically present in a native app. These apps are enhanced with modern APIs to make them reliable, capable and installable on any device anywhere. PWA’s are generally written using a single code base like JAVA, HTML 5 and other similar web languages.

Progressive Web Apps have six important features,

1. Web Manifest: Web manifest is a JSON file that will add metadata of the website such as icon, font size, background colour, and name of the application. This helps the user to see the PWA display on the home screen.

2. Service Worker: A service worker is a JavaScript file that runs in the background of the user’s browser. A service worker is responsible for delivering offline requests including push notifications, background syncing and cache data.

3. HTTPS connection: Having a secure HTTPS connection is necessary to download and use a PWA safely. This will prevent harmful hackers from leaching data from the browser and website.

4. APP Shell: A progressive web app is made to look like a native app by creating an icon and its local resources stored inside an app shell. When you click on the app, it loads on the web browser by using the local cache available inside the app shell.

5. Background Synchronization: This feature enables the user to receive information that was sent during poor or zero connectivity issues. It holds the information until the user connects to the network again.

6. Push Notifications: Push notifications are frequent updates sent to the user to keep them engaged in the app. These notifications are commonly available on a mobile app and in PWA’s these are made to work with a notification API.

Applications of Progressive Web Apps

It is unnecessary for all businesses to own a progressive web app. If your company has less information to display on a website, then a traditional website will be sufficient for it. In case of excess web traffic and display of many products, you might need a progressive web app as it can occupy a large memory space if created as a mobile application.

Many popular companies like Flipkart, Twitter, Hulu, Pinterest have recently converted their website into a Progressive Web App because of its wonderful advantages. Statistics show that these companies saw a 60% increase in web traffic, 40% improved revenues and a 70% conversion rate from launching the site from the home screen icon.

Advantages of Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web Apps have several advantages over regular websites such as,

• Faster Page Speeds: PWA’s deliver 2-4 times greater page speeds than conventional websites. These apps work faster and deliver improved results.

• App-like experience: PWA’s create a genuine app-like experience to the user as it can be downloaded, launched on their home screen just like a native app. These apps can be installed even without visiting a web store and in a poor network connection.

• Instant Updates: The best part of PWA is that the developer can make instant updates to the app without sending information back and forth to a web store. Content can be updated directly, providing a seamless experience to the user.

• Improved Features: PWA’s can be installed with the latest app features such as location accessibility, user data tracking, local video chat, media controls, and clipboard support.

• Monetizing capabilities: Many are unaware of the fact that PWA’s have the capabilities to increase revenues faster than other app technologies. They let companies display ads in various formats and integrate with popular ad networks like Google AdSense, thus opening the channel for greater profits.

If you have to create a Progressive Web App for your business, then approach a company like us with expertise in it to provide good PWA development services.

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Top 5 Reasons Local Business Must Have A Website in 2020

If you are starting a new business or trying to establish a start-up company, then you must know the importance of a website for your brand. Having a digital platform to showcase your skills and products will not only boost sales but also create an online identity.

Many believe that small or local businesses do not require a website since brick and mortar stores will do the job. But in reality, it is necessary for even local businesses to have an online identity and social media presence to reach a wider audience. People are not willing to visit physical stores due to traffic, crowd and unproductive time. They instead order products online and visit a bunch of websites to get their desired commodities.

Most local businesses focus on a certain part of the world and they assume that there won’t be much demand for their goods globally. But, because of rapid migration for employment needs, most people have settled in different parts of the world and demands for local produce and products is ever increasing. If you want your brand to be popular and successful, then having a website can be the best way to make your dream come true.

Here are a few reasons to create a business website in 2020,

1. Cater to Digital Customers

Six out of ten customers look for companies and brands that have an online presence to purchase a product. According to Forbes, 58% of global population use the internet and 75% of consumers search for the website, product reviews and prices online before making a purchase from physical stores.

If you want your local business to shine, then have a website to cater to digital customers as they can decide the success of your brand. With a digital platform, you can attract plenty of potential customers and market your products every second globally.

2. Promote New and Existing Products

It takes a lot of money and time to design and print brochures and pamphlets every time you create a new product. But with a website, you can add-on products and showcase your existing products without spending extra money.

51% of people prefer brands that promote their products online and expect business to display their products on their professional website.

Almost 70% of people go back to previously visited websites to rethink their decision and the chances of making a purchase is high with a website. So, make a business website to promote your existing and newer products online in 2020.

3. Become Accessible 24/7

If you snooze, you lose in this modern world. Customers want instant answers and solutions to their queries which can be challenging in the long run. Forbes data show that more than half of the customers expect companies to return their calls and messages within an hour even on weekends.

When you have a website with a simple technology such as Chat-bot, your brand becomes accessible round the clock. And it’s predicted that virtual assistants will handle 25% of customer service by 2020. Therefore, if your business wants to be in the race, build a website ASAP!

4. Enhance Your Credibility

Humans have two personalities in the digital world today; a virtual and a real one! A few years back, split personality was a disorder but not anymore. Nowadays, everybody thinks they may state their own opinions on various platforms without any permission. And honestly, most of it is not true.

This is scary because 60% of customers read reviews about a brand first before even trying it out. It doesn’t matter if you’re the most popular restaurant in town, if there are any bad reviews about your brand online, your business is doomed.

A website can be the best option for local business to create a good impression on potential customers. When you have the right information on your business website, you can automatically enhance your brand credibility.

5. Toot Your Own Horn

For a start-up or a local business, marketing your brand is the only way to achieve success. Increase your brand awareness by designing a user-friendly yet tech-savvy business website.

If you want to attract millennial’s, then design a website to toot your own horn because 63% of them interact with a brand online first. That’s almost one third of the total global population.

53% of customers don’t recommend a brand if there’s no website or has a poorly designed one. Imagine how many customers you are losing every minute by not having a website for your local business.

Word-to-mouth popularity is also inclined towards a business having a strong online presence. So, it’s time to create a Google presence for your brand in 2020!

Why not kick start your new year 2020 by sending us a message to build your business website? Let’s begin the year together!