Progressive web apps – or PWAs – are a popular alternative to traditional apps or websites. The latest trend is to use them on mobile devices as a complement to internal digital content, such as digital signage. This article examines this new use, explaining what PWAs are and how businesses can leverage them to increase the value and effectiveness of existing internal digital implementations.
What is a progressive web app?
A progressive web application (PWA) is an application built using modern web technologies. It combines the functionality of a platform-specific application with the versatility of a website. PWAs can run on multiple platforms and devices using a single code base. They offer the convenience of installing on devices, can work offline and in the background, and integrate seamlessly with the device and other installed apps.
Advantages of PWAs over traditional applications
Progressive Web Apps offer several advantages compared to conventional applications. Here are some of them:
No installation from any app store required
Since PWAs are web-based, they can be accessed from any device with an Internet connection and a web browser. There is no need to download and install an app from an app store. This means that there are no limitations when it comes to distributing your product to users.
Lower development costs
With PWAs, teams can save time and money by creating a single version of their app or website. They won’t have to worry about creating separate versions for different devices and operating systems, which means less development time. This not only reduces costs, but also makes it easier to deploy updates quickly and efficiently across all platforms.
Lighter and faster loading times
With very small file sizes, progressive web applications (PWAs) can be much lighter than traditional applications. For example, the Starbucks PWA only occupies 233 KB, 99.84% less than the iOS version (source). PWAs use web technologies and can function like native mobile applications, but within the browser environment.
Consistent experience across devices
Since PWAs use web technologies, they offer a consistent experience across devices, regardless of operating system or platform. End users will have no problem switching from one device to another when using a PWA.
Advantages of PWAs over websites
Progressive web apps (PWAs) also offer several advantages over traditional websites. Here are some:
Offline functionality
Progressive Web Apps have the capability to operate offline, enabling users to reach content and functionalities without requiring an internet connection.This makes them ideal for applications where users may need to access content while in transit or when they are out of range of a Wi-Fi network.
App-like experience
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) provide users with an application-like interface, incorporating functionalities such as push notifications, home screen shortcuts, and full-screen viewing options for a more immersive browsing experience. This enhanced functionality can significantly enhance user engagement and interactivity compared to conventional websites.
Performance improvement
PWAs are engineered to exhibit exceptional speed and responsiveness. They make use of diverse optimization techniques, including pre-caching of resources, to ensure instantaneous and proactive loading of content. This can lead to a smoother user experience, especially for media-heavy deployments.
Use cases for Progressive Web Applications in addition to dynamic visualisation
The key is to replicate the amazing creativity you have internally and make it available to your target audience. This creativity usually goes beyond simple interaction with the mouse, which is why traditional websites are insufficient. With PWAs, you can recreate that internal content and make it available even to those who are not on-site.
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Progressive web app for digital signage
Boost attendance
Use a PWA to publish a portion of your store’s digital content on the web, in order to generate interest and attract audiences to your store.
Run hybrid events
Offer visitors access to mobile content that complements the on-site experience. This improves visitor engagement and increases the appeal of in-person visits.
Create takeaway ideas
Offer visitors digital content they can take with them, such as information, videos and documents related to their on-site experience.
Building Progressive Web Apps with Intuiface
Intuiface is a platform that requires no coding and simplifies the process of developing interactive digital experiences. With Player Next Genesis, these experiences can now be showcased on both web browsers and as Progressive Web Apps.
With Intuiface, your team doesn’t need programming knowledge to create complex, deeply interactive PWAs that excite audiences and drive engagement.
Intuiface can be used by teams at any level to create touch-enabled PWAs, create integrations with cloud-hosted services, and collect and visualise data for analytics, for all platforms making their way onto target audiences’ phones, tablets, and PCs.
Examples of PWA projects based on Intuiface:
Interactive questionnaires for visitors to the information centre
Take-home educational modules taught by guest instructors
Mobile technical sheets for trade fair visitors
Conclusion
Progressive Web Apps are a powerful tool for companies that want to offer their customers unique, attractive and robust experiences. With Intuiface’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which makes it easy to create media-rich applications that can be deployed as progressive web applications (PWA), there is no excuse not to offer your business the benefits of this innovative technology!
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