When was the last time you downloaded an app from your smartphone’s app store? Chances are, you haven’t downloaded one in months. According to TechCrunch, 51% of smartphone users average zero new app downloads a month, making it an unsavory field to delve into for businesses looking to grow. There’s a solution to this though – it’s called a Progressive Web App.
Progressive Web Apps operate similar to traditional mobile apps, but don’t require an app store and can be downloaded directly from an internet browser. They take up 25 times less space and automatically update, making them more secure than traditional mobile apps. They’re based on state-of-the-art Google technology and are quickly taking over the digital world as the superior option for companies looking to branch into mobile technology. Unlike traditional mobile apps, progressive web apps are SEO-indexable, meaning they show up on Google and other Search Engine Result Pages.
Do Progressive Web Apps Work?
Many Fortune 500 companies are switching over to Progressive Web Apps, but why?, We all know Fortune 500 companies don’t invest their time and efforts into systems that are not likely to work. There is an endless amount of statistics from companies that have adopted progressive web apps and seen remarkable results. When the Best Western River North Hotel switched to one, they saw a 300% increase in revenue!
Not only are progressive web apps versatile, but they are also optimal for speed and security. According to Salesforce, progressive web apps are 43% faster than traditional mobile apps. Instead of counting on app users to manually update their apps to receive crucial design, aesthetic, and security features, progressive web apps automatically update in the background, limiting the work a customer needs to do to stay up-to-date with your company.
According to Salesforce, the average progressive web app loads in approximately 3.5 seconds compared to 6.2 seconds for the average mobile web page. This speed is incredibly important in satisfying customers, many of whom will leave your website or app if it hasn’t loaded in 3 seconds.
Think about the shopping habits of your friends, family, and self. Do they look for clothing shops on the app store, or on a search engine? When you want a self storage facility, do you start with an app store, or on a search engine? Chances are, you’re not looking for new businesses on app stores – very few people do. Since progressive web apps show up on Google, they provide a great overlap for people wanting to have mobile-optimized businesses without sacrificing their website and e-commerce opportunities.
How to Get Started
In most industries, a progressive web app will likely take form as an online rental tool or e-commerce system. Situations where people can reserve or rent, such as self storage or hotel reservations, are great companies to adopt progressive web app technologies. Research your industry and take the time to understand what your market is and how they interact with brands on their mobile devices.
As you select a company to help develop your progressive web app, look at not only cost but ongoing services and product bundling options. Chances are you’ll also want to look into search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), and other digital marketing services – after all, what good is a progressive web app if your customers can’t find it?
Continuously track the analytics and success of your progressive web app, and work with your digital marketing, website, and PWA provider to update and tweak the design and security as needed. This will help your company stay at the forefront of digital technology and stay competitive against even the largest of brands.
