Progressive Web App (PWA) Frameworks: How To Select Best One?

Progressive web applications utilize the best technical solutions applied in mobile and web applications. The concept first appeared in 2015 and enabled programmers to deliver web-based applications that are competitive. They could even outperform a native app’s user experience. However, selecting a framework to design such an app requires thorough consideration.

About progressive web apps

So, what are progressive web apps or PWAs? An expert from a progressive web app development company explains that it’s a website that appears and behaves like a mobile app. It means that a user should be able to add it to the main screen of his/her smartphone. Additionally, it can send push notifications, access the hardware of the devices, and even work offline. Indeed, progressive web applications work just as smoothly as any other app due to an unstable internet connection.

How to choose a framework

Now, if you search the web, then you’ll find several articles and blogs on the best frameworks for PWA development purposes. However, no matter how deep you dig, you won’t find anything on how to select the right framework. That’s why the specialists of a progressive web app development company want to share a few tips on choosing a framework.

• First of all, you require something that reduces the overall cost of app development. Nobody wants to pay and an arm and a leg for app development services these days. Besides, clients have more than enough options to explore. Additionally, if you can reduce the expenses incurred, then you won’t waste too much of your own resources. You should look for an open-source framework, if possible. If it comes with the shortest learning curve, then it would be even better.

• Creating an app is a constant process. You have to release updates through which you’ll fix bugs or introduce new features. When it comes to picking a framework for your PWA, you need something that’s easy to maintain. Also, it should come with a massive library for accessing APIs.

• The PWA framework should possess a full web app stack support including routing, data tier, and responsive layouts. Apart from incredible documentation facilities, it should have PWA development tools that come with easily understandable APIs. Moreover, it should have a massive base of components accessible across browsers.

• If possible, you should look for a framework that comes with excellent community support. After all, if you require assistance, then nobody else apart from a group of people who specialize in using the framework would be able to provide it. Additionally, the framework should have a well-defined method for implementation and an MVC framework. Also, you’ll need something that launches newer versions frequently.

• The coding procedure of the PWA framework has to be simple enough. Otherwise, it would take too long for you to complete a project. Besides, if your team consists of rookies, then they should be able to learn how to use the framework with relative ease. The structure should be simple enough and the rendering should be fast too. Finally, it should be flexible to set up.

Reasons to use
Now you’ll learn why your clients want to pay the progressive web app cost. If you aren’t developing progressive web applications yet, then these reasons would compel you to do so.

• Offline availability: Everyone knows that specific applications do nothing except consume the memory of a smartphone if there’s no internet connection. Of course, many mobile apps are often self-contained, and users can browse them when they aren’t online. PWAs, on the other hand, are always available regardless of an internet connection. It can provide every piece of information and the user would be able to use the app to its full potential always.

• App-like: PWAs are so popular these days because they look and behave just like any other app along with the functionality of websites with dynamic data and database accessibility. Generally, developers get to choose how extensively they want to program the app. They also utilize all existing frameworks and conventional theories.

• Enhanced performance: PWAs are much faster than a conventional app. They work significantly faster due to the way the underlying tech caches and serves texts, stylesheets, images, and other content. Understandably, user experience, conversation, and retention rates get better due to enhanced performance.

• No need to install: PWAs are one of those mobile applications that don’t require installation. Users don’t have to put up with long download times, and visitors don’t have to go through Google Play or Apple App Store. They can download it directly onto the device. It means that the app would get its own icon on phones and tablets just like any other application.

• Specific hardware features: PWAs can implement several useful features, including push notifications. Publishers and developers have full control of the way they implement this option. It further allows for creative solutions concerning advertising new content. For e-commerce websites, it could mean an entirely new sales channel since push notifications appear on phones and users read them more than email newsletters, status updates on social media platforms, etc.

To conclude

Finally, PWAs don’t require any kind of app store submission, which you know can be quite challenging, especially if you’re going to release it for iOS devices. So, if you don’t want to lose a client who agrees to pay the progressive web app cost, then you should start developing them soon.

Progressive web applications are the next best thing for the mobile web. They are quite trendy these days due to the benefits that they have to offer. Since 2015, the year of their arrival, PWAs have been getting a lot of attention. Many experts even go as far as to assume that these apps would dictate the future, both in terms of development and user experience.