What Is Progressive Web App Development?

Key takeaways

Progressive web app development involves building applications with web technologies that run seamlessly across all devices and platforms. Here are some important things to know:

• The progressive web app market could reach $21.24 billion by 2033, driven by the need for high-performing cross-platform solutions [1].

• You’ll need to be familiar with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript to effectively develop progressive web apps. 

• You can use progressive web apps to streamline development for both front-end and back-end teams while also improving user experience.

Learn more about how progressive web app development works and the benefits of progressive web apps over normal apps. If you’re ready to start building your skills in web development, consider enrolling in the IBM Full-Stack JavaScript Developer Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to master the full-stack development languages, frameworks, tools, and technologies to develop job-ready skills valued by employers. 

What is progressive web app development?

Progressive web app development involves using web platform technologies to create applications that can work on all types of devices. This means progressive web apps (PWAs) offer experiences similar to native apps, enabling not only on-device installation and integration with other installed apps but also the flexibility to use them in your web browser. Furthermore, the offline-first approach of progressive web apps allows you to download them and then install and use them without access to the internet. With the right tools, any website can become a progressive web app. 

The benefits of cross-platform compatibility and native app-like high performance without downloading large applications are driving the demand for progressive web apps worldwide. The global progressive apps market could reach $21.24 billion by 2033, expanding at a rate of 29.9 percent annually [1]. As smartphone ownership and internet connectivity become more widespread, the demand for progressive web apps that can improve user experience and conversion rates will continue to increase across sectors like e-commerce and retail.

Why progressive web apps matter

Progressive web apps matter because they provide a large variety of benefits over normal native apps, including cheaper development costs, offline functionality, and improved visibility to search engines. Progressive web apps can simplify work for back-end and front-end developers by combining the capabilities of a native app with the easy accessibility of a website, merging two separate development areas into a single environment. PWAs also enhance the overall user experience by minimizing load times and adjusting to users’ screen size and orientation. For businesses, progressive web apps can drive user engagement through push notifications and reach a wider customer base due to their availability on web browsers rather than only app stores.

What is the difference between a PWA and a normal app?

Progressive web apps function very closely to the way normal apps do while providing the conveniences of app connectivity. This allows progressive web apps to use a single codebase to run on different platforms, while traditional web apps require feature and programming language transfers to operate on different platforms, which can be costly. Additionally, unlike other apps, progressive web apps allow discovery through web searches as well as access to hardware features, and they do not require approvals or updates for varying app stores. 

How to develop a progressive web app

You can turn a website into a progressive web app by including a manifest file that guides your browser’s behavior when installing the web app and incorporating Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt your data. 

If you’re starting from scratch and do not have an existing website to modify, you will need to start a web server with your choice of web hosting provider. Once you have a functioning web application, you must provide a manifest file with HTTPS protocol or a local URL to allow the installation of your progressive web app. To convert your existing web app to a progressive web app, you can create a service worker script (sw.js). This script will enable your web app to function offline and keep it updated. With a manifest file and service worker, your web app is now a progressive web app.

Progressive web app developer roles and skills

Becoming a progressive web app developer requires a variety of development skills, including:

• User accommodation: Progressive web app developers must be able to optimize performance and design for diverse devices and specifications to ensure broad accessibility.

• Proficiency in web technologies: As a progressive web app developer, you will want a deep understanding of the languages and technologies related to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

• Understanding of web app manifests: Progressive web app developers need to know how to configure and adapt web app manifests to a web app’s needs.

Progressive web apps necessitate two types of developer code: front-end and back-end. The front-end code consists of the files required to install the app on a user’s device, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Meanwhile, the back-end code contains the endpoints your app uses to fetch dynamic content from your server’s database when online. As such, you might work with progressive app development in several related roles. Some of these roles and their median US salaries are as follows:

• Software developer: $121,000 [2]

• Full-stack developer: $119,000 [3]

• Front-end developer: $101,000 [4] 

• Back-end developer: $116,000 [5]

• Application developer: $139,000 [6]

• Web developer: $99,000 [7]

Read more: Web Developer Salary

Progressive web app development costs

Progressive web apps are cheaper to develop than native apps because they only use one codebase for all platforms, removing the need for separate desktop, iOS, and Android apps. Progressive web apps also require fewer maintenance costs than native apps since updates are faster and easier to deploy. Their wider reach from increased accessibility increases the number of users and potential revenue. 

Pros of progressive web apps

Progressive web apps can provide a plethora of advantages, including wider reach, cross-platform compatibility, and more: 

• Easy installation: Progressive web apps are lightweight and easily accessible through any compatible browser, and you can install them in just a few clicks.

• Lower development cost: Progressive web apps use one codebase across all devices, reducing development time, costs, and training needs.

• Safety for users: Progressive web apps are secure due to their use of safe HTTPS endpoints and additional security protocols.

Cons of progressive web apps

As a progressive web app developer, it’s important to recognize the potential disadvantages of progressive web apps, such as:

• Limited platform-specific features: Progressive web apps may lack access to some hardware features or platform APIs, limiting their capabilities compared to native apps.

• Less awareness: Fewer users are familiar with the concept or benefits of progressive web apps, which can slow their adoption.

• Special testing: Progressive web apps need extensive testing and optimization for performance across devices and networks, which requires specialized skills.

Getting started with progressive web app projects

To begin working on a progressive web app project, you will need a secure connection, an existing web server, and a team of service workers, depending on the scale of your app. You will also want to install Visual Studio Code to make changes to your code and Node.js (which acts as a local web server) if you haven’t already done so. Your progressive web app will also need a manifest file to keep track of app data and an application file to improve loading times. 

Discover free resources for web developers

Explore careers and skills in your industry by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Or if you want to continue learning about web development, check out more free resources below:

• Find your career track: Web Development Career Paths: Explore Roles & Specializations 

• Watch on YouTube: Career Spotlight: Web Developer 

• Hear from fellow learners: How This Self-Taught Web Developer Went Straight to a Master’s Degree

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