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Desktop Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) – A fusion of Native and Web Application

Progressive web apps (PWAs) match the strengths of web and mobile apps by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. Recent browser advancements and the availability of service workers, as well as the Cache and Push APIs, have facilitated web admins to allow users to access web services on their home screen, start receiving real-time notifications, and even work offline.

When compared to a native app in the respective app stores, it benefits from a much larger ecological system, plugins, community, and even the apparent ease of deploying and preserving a website.

Those all you who have developed for multi-platform will admire the fact that a site can be assembled in less time, and that an API doesn’t have to be preserved with interoperability (all patrons will run the same edition of your website’s code, as opposed to the version polarisation of native apps), and that the app is generally simpler to implement and maintain.

 

Why are Progressive Web Apps used?

 According to the research, an app ends up losing 20% of its clients with every phase between the user’s first interaction with the app and the user’s starting to use the app. A user must first locate the software in a play store, download it, install it, and then launch it. When a user discovers your PWAs they will be able to use them right away, skipping the superfluous downloading and setup stages. Whenever the customer authenticates the app, he or she will be compelled to install it and revamp it to a total version.

Moreover, a native app isn’t bad. Push notifications increase retention nearly three times more than non-push notifications, and a user is substantially more likely to revive a software platform than a website. Furthermore, because certain resources tend to stay on the device, a well-designed smartphone app consumes fewer data and is much faster.

A PWA leverages the properties of a mobile app, leading to improved user productivity without the ailments of maintaining an app.

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are created and reinforced with advanced APIs to provide expertise, durability, and competence” while attaining anyone, anywhere, and on any gadget with a specific operating system. Use the core and advantageous checklists and top tips to help you build the best possible experience.

 

A Progressive Web App’s Characteristics

 Before we begin, it is essential to understand that website builders have the essential specifications:

  • Progressive: A progressive web app, by definition, must function properly on any device and gradually improve, getting the benefit of any available features on the user’s operating system platform.
  • Cacheable: Since a PWA is a site, it must be SEO-friendly. This is a massive benefit over native applications, that continue to lag behind websites in terms of searchability.
  • Linkable: Another feature rooted in sites on the internet, a well-designed web application must use the URI to demonstrate the application’s current state. Whenever the user bookmark folders or shares the app’s URL, the web app will be able to retain or redeploy its state.
  • Responsive: The UI of a progressive mobile application must be responsive to the device’s form factor and a larger screen.
  • Widget: A PWA should have the appearance of a native app and be formed using the software shell model, with a few page refreshes.
  • Connectivity-independent: It should function in areas with limited interconnection or offline (our favorite characteristic).
  • Re-engageable: Mobile browser users tend to utilize their plugins, and web applications aim to accomplish the task through features like push notifications.
  • Installable: A progressive version of the application can be equipped on the device’s home screen for easy access.
  • Fresh: When new stuff is posted and the user is hooked up to The internet, the app should make that data accessible.
  • Safe: Because a liberal web app provides a more personalized user experience and all network queries can be intercepted via hospitality workers, the tool must be offered to host over HTTPS to avoid man-in-the-middle attacks.

 

Checklist of Essential Progressive Web Apps

The Progressive Modern Web Checklist explains what helps to make software installable and playable by all account holders, regardless of device type.

  •  A big lead, rapid finish: Even though strong sites participate and build relationships better than low-performing ones, performance is an indicator of the effectiveness of any web world. Sites should prioritise user-centric system performance.
  •  It works in all browsers: Users can access your new website before it is installed using any browser they prefer.
  •  Any screen size is supported: Your PWA can be accessed by users on any screen size, and all substance is accessible at any screen resolution.
  •  Provides a personalized offline page: When viewers are temporarily unavailable, managing to keep them in your PWA rather than reverting to the default browsing offline insights into a much smoother integration.
  •  Is it installable? Consumers who mount or add google services to their devices are more likely to interact with those apps.

 

Checklist for the Best Progressive Web App 

 More than just the foundational guide is meant to generate a top-notch creative Software Tool, one that thinks like the best android apps. The ideal Democratic Web App checklist strives to make the PWA feel like it’s a core component of the device it’s attempting to run on while leveraging what helps to make the web powerful.

  • Offline experience is provided: For which internet access isn’t strictly necessary, your app will function the very same offline as it will online.
  • Is completely accessible: All user interactions meet the WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards.
  • Use a search engine to find it: Your PWA is easily found through a search.
  • It accepts any type of input: Your PWA can be used with a mouse, buttons, trackpad, or grasp.
  • Contextualizes permission requests: When getting approval to use influential APIs, offer additional context and only authorization only when API is required.
  •  Best practices for a healthy code are followed: Maintaining the health of your codebase makes things simpler to meet your objectives and deliver major updates.

Examples of PWAs

 Performance is pivotal to the survival and revenue growth of any online business. As a result, online sites across industries are implementing a new standard known as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) to boost performance.

The best way to understand how a Modern Web App differs from traditional responsive websites is to look at some excellent examples of PWAs.

Here’s a collection of spectacular Progressive Web App resources from multiple industries, so you can get a taste of the new online technology for yourself.

 

  1. Starbucks

 Starbucks established a PWA of the eCommerce platform on the browser, which offers up a lot in common to their current native platform, to provide a usable, user-friendly ordering system to each of their buyers. In other words, Starbucks PWA’s order to manage in digital form allows customers to search the menu, customize their order information, and add items to their shopping trolleys without constant internet access. They can visualize site pricing and place beverages once they’re available on the internet.

The PWA is 99.84 percent relatively smaller than Starbucks’ emerging iOS app, making it a user favorite. They have more than twice the number of internet users who purchase goods on a daily basis, with windows users now purchasing at similar rates as phone users.

 

  1. BMW

BMW, as an innovative brand in the automobile industry, demonstrates that they are not afraid of new technologies, whether it be with their car models or their web application. The franchise sought to provide a value and content strategy that reflected its values to maximize customer experience. The new BMW PWA offers customers a ‘geez’ expertise.

The elevated pictures and videos are often the first thing anyone observes, as well as the web load distribution almost instantaneously with so many of these functionalities.  Witnessing the opening of the PWA, their investigation indicates additional impressive figures: When compared to the old premises, there was a 4X influx of people pressing from the main page to a BMW store”, a 50% increase in smartphone subscribers, and a 49% increase in site inspections.

 

  1. 2048 Game

In 2014, the cryptic crossword game 2048 was launched as a free download for Android and iOS. It quickly went viral, gaining over million monthly active users in much less than a week.

The game is straightforward as well as thrilling. Its goal, outlined as “Candy Crush for mental arithmetic,” is to merge components to the same figures to eventually add up to 2048. An actual PWA edition is now available at 2048game.com, allowing players to access the game through any browser window. With seamless transitions and appropriate implementation, the PWA is difficult to distinguish from its native app contemporaries. Furthermore, the 2048 Software application can be made solely offline.

 

  1. MakeMyTrip

The MakeMyTrip.com website is an excellent demonstration of a PWA. The top tourism company in India receives approximately eight million visitors per month, with traffic information accounting for two-thirds of total traffic. As cellphones became one of the most popular booking channels among MakeMyTrip users, they created a PWA that resulted in a fast, dependable, and streamlined dedicated app.

By cutting page-load times by 38%, the new PWA interaction has quadrupled its exchange rate.  MakeMyTrip grew customer sessions by 160 percent and reduced dwell time by 20 percent when compared to their preceding mobile site.

 

  1. Pinterest

Pinterest built its smart wireless browsing experience as a PWA from the scratch, with an eye toward global expansion. Due to poor portable performance, the social media platform discovered that just 1% of their phone users transform into sign-ups, usernames, passwords, or platform installs.

 

  1. Spotify

Spotify, like several other large brands, saw a prompt and effective incentive to start growing a PWA variant of their platform due to a certain dispute between Spotify and Apple regarding Apple’s 30 percent play store contract. The PWA edition is considerably faster than its vernacular counterpart, with its own distinctive and versatile UI that keeps changing its history as the user unfolds through the app. Users are indeed compelled to add Spotify PWA to their homepage, just like many other PWAs, seeking to make Spotify PWA more approachable and comparable to its other versions.

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The potential of Web 3.0 for Democratizing the Internet !!!

What is Web 3.0?

Web 3.0, also known as the third-generation internet, is the next step in the evolution of the World Wide Web. Nobody did more to popularize the Internet than WWW. It simplified the Internet into a single web address that can be accessed from any computer in the world. The uniform resource locator (URL) allows people to surf and exchange data over the Internet by simply typing web addresses. It’s a nostalgic moment for those who have witnessed the Internet’s evolution over the last three decades.

The Internet has come a long way, from bulky computers to handy smartphones, and it is only going to get better. It offers a data-driven Semantic Web that employs machine-based data understanding to create a more intelligent and connected web experience for users. Web browsers advanced to the point where they could run web applications with sophisticated 3D graphics. The most valuable commodity to these organizations is user data, which they use to boot eCommerce or sell to third-party players. Google, the world’s largest search engine, is perhaps the most well-known example.

Aim of Web 3.0

It is the internet’s read, writes, and trust version. It aims to build trust in the current system by using Defi-decentralized finance – on the blockchain to eliminate reliance on intermediaries or central authorities. It also promotes the formation of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, or DAOs, in order to reduce human biases

Consider a typical day in your life: you get up and, perhaps, use your voice assistant to open the news app with your favorite podcasts. You booked a cab for the office and became frustrated when you tracked it in real-time. Your food apps seemed to read your mind during lunch and showered you with offers you couldn’t refuse. You’re scrolling through social media and notice ads that appear to be tailored specifically to you.

It also promotes the formation of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, or DAOs, in order to reduce human biases. Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by value, makes it simple for anyone to enter the exciting new world of Web 3.0.

It includes everything from artificial intelligence (AI) models and big data analytics for targeted marketing to cryptocurrency and the popular virtual metaverse. It is clear that it is already a big part of our present, but what might the internet look like a decade from now? Can Web 3.0 set the standard? According to numerous sources, it can and most likely will.

Consider the current major trend shifts. Every aspect of our lives, from shopping to entertainment to socializing, has shifted dramatically online. Individual users’ main concern (indeed, more than 77 percent of millennials polled expressed concern) is the safety of their private information, its misuse at the hands of some large corporations, and also the trouble of dodging infinite following ‘cookies’ with the potential threat of knowledge leaks. It then allows for the reconciliation of these diametrically opposed trends. While Web 2.0 was dynamic, allowing users to create content and interact with one another, third-party cookies and the concentration of data in the hands of a few firms became concerning. Data leaks have multiplied, and it appears that biased, provocative, or outright funded content is now common on the internet.

What impact will it have on the internet in the future?

The internet ecosystem, like any other type of technology, is constantly evolving to meet society’s rising expectations. Staying informed and educated about the future of the internet will help consumers avoid digital whiplash as a result of the changes that it will bring — assuming it becomes a thing. Web 1.0 was the first phase of the internet, and it displayed information but was limited in capability, difficult to navigate, and did not provide many options for monetizing content. Web 2.0 improved on its predecessor by categorizing website information, allowing data to flow freely from site owner to user, and providing content creation tools for users. Many people are now advocating for a new web generation to address the issues of the current generation.

Many of us are familiar with web 1.0, which functions as an information directory. Its evolution to web 2.0 made data highly interactive and accessible on a wide range of devices, and now web 3.0 is more open, robust, secure, and decentralized. But hold on a second,

What exactly is web 3.0? What distinguishes it from web 1.0 and web 2.0? Is the technology depicted in the movies cutting-edge?

Absolutely not. It is similar to web 2.0, but it is far more robust, open, customizable, and user-centric.

Let’s get this party started.

From single-page websites to today’s dynamic, interactive, and user-friendly database, the world wide web has evolved through several stages.

Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0.

Web 1.0 (1989-2005)

  •  The first version of the Internet was extensively used.
  •  Websites that are static.
  •  Limited information access.
  •  Minimal user interaction.
  •  Less refined algorithms.
  •  There are fewer options for connecting.

Web 2.0 (2005-present)

  •  Websites that change.
  •  JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, Python, and other programming languages
  •  The Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram era.
  •  Scalable for the creation of interactive platforms.
  •  Added excellent connectivity, shared resources, and data backups.
  •  New tools and software for developing smartphone apps.

Web 3.0 (Present – Upcoming Future)

  •  AI, Big Data, Machine Learning, and Blockchain-supporting websites
  •  An amalgamation of human intelligence and cutting-edge technology
  •  Decentralized systems for distributing equal power and removing authorities
  •  Intelligent devices that make more of the Internet available.
  • Smart contracts that do not require the involvement of third parties. The semantic web is being used to develop and improve the Internet of Things.
  • Use of cutting-edge graphics, 3D animations, and virtual programs to make the web more engaging.
  •  Creating a more personalized, tailored, and private Internet for end users.

What precisely is Web 3.0 within the crypto world?

Cryptocurrency is frequently mentioned in discussions about this. This is due to the fact that many Web 3.0 protocols rely heavily on cryptocurrencies. Instead, it provides a financial incentive (tokens) to anyone who desires to assist and help in the creation, governance, contribution, or improvement of one of the projects. Web 3.0 tokens are digital assets associated with the goal of establishing a suburbanized net. These protocols may offer a variety of services, including computation, bandwidth, storage, identification, hosting, and other online services previously provided by cloud providers. For example, the Ethereum-based Live peer protocol provides a marketplace for video infrastructure providers and streaming applications. Similarly, Helium uses blockchains and tokens to incentivize consumers and small businesses to supply and confirm wireless coverage and send device data through the network.

People can earn a living by participating in the protocol in a variety of technical and non-technical capacities. Customers typically pay to use the protocol, similar to how they would pay a cloud provider such as Amazon Web Services. As with many forms of decentralization, unnecessary and often wasteful intermediaries are eliminated.

 

Furthermore, nonfungible tokens (NFTs), digital currencies, and other blockchain entities will be heavily used in this. For example, Reddit is attempting to make its inroads by developing a mechanism that uses cryptocurrency tokens to allow users to essentially control pieces of the on-site communities in which they participate. The idea is that users would use “community points” earned by posting on a specific subreddit. The user then earns points based on how many people upvote or downvote a specific post. (It’s essentially a blockchain-based Reddit Karma.)

How Web 3.0 Will Improve Our Lives

We believe that the rise of Web 3.0 will change our lives for the better for three reasons:

1. A more tailored browsing experience

As intrusive as those advertisements can be at times, there is no denying the convenience of being able to easily click through to a special offer for something you genuinely want or need and would otherwise have incomprehensible.

It provides us all with far more personalized browsing expertise. Websites can automatically adapt to our device, location, and any accessibility needs we may have, and web apps will become far more aware of our usage habits.

2. Improved search

As previously stated, the ability to use natural language with a search engine is extremely powerful. The learning curve becomes almost non-existent, and the benefits extend far beyond the consumer; businesses will be able to take a more natural approach to search engine optimization on their websites, rather than relying on tricky keyword strategies.

3. Improved app experiences

The multifaceted Web 3.0 will benefit more than just websites; web apps will begin to provide far richer experiences for users.

Consider Google Maps, which might currently mix basic location search with route guidance, building recommendations, and real-time traffic updates. This was simply not possible during the Web 2.0 era.

Conclusion

Web 3.0 is removing any remaining complexity from the web and making it more accessible to a larger number of people, much like the Internet of Things (IoT) is gradually seeking to create a more digitally-centric, connected society.

 

 

 

 

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Web App vs Mobile App: What Should Your Startup Choose?

For years, the argument between online and mobile apps has raged on. In the internet market, desktop purchasing still has a significant value, but smartphone business sales are currently on the rise.

The world of web apps and mobile apps has grown to such an extent that the debate has shifted to specific online media vs. other online media.

Before coming to a conclusion and choosing sides, let us first weigh out both options by understanding the key differences between the two.

 

Web apps

In layman’s terms, a web application or mobile website is a responsive website that responds to being seen on a smartphone and offers interactivity. They function in the same way that downloadable apps do, but are accessed via one’s internet browser. Being responsive here states that these applications can adapt or shrink down to the size of the device we are using to view them.

For Example, Google drive, Netflix, Microsoft office, and pocket.

  • Functionality: Web apps are more versatile and offer a wider range of functions, including those specifically designed for mobile apps as well.
  • Sustainability: these are self-sustainable i.e. they run on an active internet connection and do not require regular updating of features.
  • Build and design: programming languages like JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and Python are commonly used to create web apps. There is no standard development kit but developers still have access to referential templates. These are typically faster and easier to create.

 

Mobile apps

Apps designed for smartphones, tablets, and other small touch devices are known as mobile apps. They are installed and downloaded from an app store, and they have access to system resources. They are installed and operated on the device itself.

For Example, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.

  • Functionality: Mobile app users often get more limited functionality, as many of these apps are designed to serve a particular purpose.
  • Sustainability: Mobile apps must be downloaded and installed before they can be used. They may also work offline. They do, however, necessitate the user downloading updates on a regular basis.
  • Build and design: A mobile web app is usually made up of Client-side scripting languages, such as JavaScript or CSS, that rely on your browser to run programs. Languages like Python, Objective-C, and Java are commonly used for server-side scripting. There’s also HTML, which is used as a markup language.

 

Because they are both mobile-driven, it is evident that both mobile and web apps appear to be excellent options. One needs to consider the company’s business purpose and, ultimately, the end goals to evaluate whether or not a web app or mobile app is appropriate.

 

Firstly,  let us have a look at the different criteria that help web apps to outweigh the features of mobile apps.

  • Vicinity or accessibility: Users can visit a web app via a browser on a variety of devices immediately at any given time. Apps, on the other hand, necessitate the user downloading and install the app before viewing the content or the application itself.
  • compatibility: A web app can reach the audience on a variety of mobile devices, whereas native apps require the development of a separate version for each device type. Web apps can be operated on all devices having a stable internet connection.
  • Shareability and outreach: A simple link of a web app can be used to share URLs between users. It has a significantly broader reach than a mobile app because it is available across platforms and can be readily shared among users as well as search engines.
  • Cost-effective: a web app is comparatively less expensive or cost-effective to build than a mobile app as it requires fewer resources and labor.
  • Time effective: along with being cost-effective, a web app is considerably time effective as well when it comes to both development and usage.
  • Visibility: Because one can find pages displayed in search results and included in industry-specific directories, mobile websites are considerably easier for users to find. Apps are usually restricted to manufacturer app stores in terms of visibility.
  • Lifespan or longevity: The usual shelf-life of an app is very short, thus unless your software is truly unique and/or beneficial, its longevity on a user’s device is uncertain. On the other hand, mobile websites are always available for consumers to return to.

 

Now, we ponder the different criteria that help mobile apps to outweigh the features of web apps.

  • Customization or personalization: Mobile apps are designed in such a way that users can make essential modifications to the way they want to use them. Users’ experiences can be enhanced by features that allow them to save data, set preferences, and share media assets on social media.
  • Interactive: apps such as gaming apps involving high user interaction are likely to provide an enhanced user experience than web apps.
  • Native functionality: Even if web apps are getting better at accessing mobile-specific services like click-to-call, SMS, device libraries, GPS functions, and accessing a user’s camera or processing power, an app will still do so much efficiently.
  • Offline capacity: mobile apps are capable of working and providing access to content offline locally. This is ideal for use in places with no internet access or wireless connection.
  • Faster services: Mobile apps are quicker than mobile websites. The capacity of apps to save data locally and get the appropriate dataset promptly is a functional benefit as compared to web apps.
  • Instant update notifications: The ability to send push notifications to consumers who have the app loaded on their smartphone is an intrinsic feature of apps, allowing app publishers to communicate directly with users. It keeps customers informed about new offers and forthcoming sale seasons that are relevant to their preferences.

 

Most web design and development companies would advise you to build a website first and then a mobile app later because this is the most cost-effective alternative. You will benefit from having all of your material displayed on a single website interface. Furthermore, upgrading content on a mobile app is easier than updating content on a website.

 

However, to make a decision or choice, you need to consider the following

  • The target audience of your company – their needs, interests, wants and goals
  • Products and services offered by your company
  • Essentiality of user experience for your products or services
  • Importance or need of user interaction for the same – need for user engagement
  • The popularity of a mobile app or web app in your venture’s niche
  • Company’s budget to invest and develop either of them

 

As India transitions to a digital economy, all enterprises and start-ups are hard at work developing websites and mobile apps. But the question is, which one will help your company grow? The main concept is that in the future, everyone will have an Android phone rather than a laptop or other device, but people still prefer viewing the details in a larger screen display or interface in order to get a clearer insight and easier functioning.

Unless you’re launching a mobile-focused business, building a website first is the way to go. Rather than investing a major portion of your budget in the development of an app. Alternatively, you may work on making your website more user-friendly.

In conclusion, there are numerous factors to consider before deciding whether you should build applications or websites or go for the development of both. It is entirely up to you and your business plan.

 

Startxlabs, one of India’s top digital transformation service providers. Launched in 2014, Startxlabs aims in innovating a digital future by developing technology for the web and mobile platforms. From our beginning as a technology development company, we’ve tried to stay true to our core beliefs and to deliver exceptional services to our clients. Whether it’s people we work for or people who work for us, we value honesty, passion, and the desire to explore. We have expertise in website development, android app development, iOS app development, Flutter, React Native app development, UI/UX design, and marketing strategy. With the engagement of our highly technical team, we have delivered over 110+ projects providing a positive impact on the users.

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How to Boost Your Web App Speed by 10x!

In this tech-savvy generation, having a web application for your business is a necessity. More and More people are moving towards e solutions for their real-world problems. Like booking a cab, buying groceries, online shopping for clothes, and many more. So, If you want to reach a huge target audience for your business, having a website is a must.

However, only having a web app will not suffice, you need to have a marvelous web application to come into the eye of your target audience. Business owners who are considering developing new web applications or who are responsible for maintaining current ones must recognize the importance of application speed. Think of all the times you browsed a website on your laptop or mobile and it didn’t open or work properly in the first two minutes. As soon as something like that happens, you either start refreshing the page or close the website and move to another one. Remember the time, when you downloaded an app and it wasn’t working properly and in the first five minutes you uninstalled it from your device. So, we can say that the first few minutes when a user visits your web applications are very crucial. Those few minutes can make or break your brand’s image in the eye of the user. Keeping this in mind, we can understand the fact that the speed of our web application is an influential factor for your web app.

 In this blog, we’ll learn about 10 ways by which we can increase the speed of our web app. Let’s get started.

 

1. Use Caching

Defining caching mechanisms for users’ browsers can help the app run faster. Don’t forget to specify the caching techniques for the user’s browser to improve the performance of your web app. Although browsers make every effort to regulate caching, they believe it is usually wiser to prevent caching by default rather than caching by request.

 

2. Remove Render-blocking JavaScript and CSS

CSS and JavaScript that block rendering should be limited — this enhances the user experience. Accessibility, maintainability, customization, consistency, portability, and performance are all dependent on the Stylesheet. You can improve the user experience by using non-blocking assets and allowing users to fetch and render HTML markup before the CSS is loaded and parsed. JavaScripts follow the same rule. Aside from that, you may expect the CSS and JS files to be compressed for use. This will minimize the file size and increase the speed with which your web app loads.

 

3. Images

PNGs should only be used when absolutely necessary; otherwise, JPEGs should be used. For logos and other images, JPEGs are always preferable over PNGs. This is because PNG images are large and take longer to load, slowing down the application’s performance. Second, you must examine the image resolution required and design images accordingly.

At the backend of every image, there is some redundant data that can slow down the pace of your app. Therefore, you must remove metadata from your photos, minimize their size, and speed up your web app. SVG pictures could be used for graphics visuals since they are vector-based, display high-quality at all resolutions, and are yet small. As a result, you might consider using these for icons or logos.

 

4. Server-side Rendering

As not every JavaScript solution for single-page apps has increased server-side rendering, it’s best to stick with more developed options like React and Angular2.

 

5. Mobile First CSS

If your customers have older devices, switching to non-bloated CSS would be a wise decision. It will assist in reaching a 10x increase in app speed. This is because non-bloated CSS makes extensive use of classes, limiting the lines of code read by the browser. Aside from that, the finest application development companies also recommend using mobile-first CSS. It’s built on the premise that app developers should wrap all desktop CSS in media queries and use mobile as the default. Because mobile device browsers don’t read the code in media queries, your app will execute faster, resulting in more efficient web app development.

 

6. CDNs

The CDN (Material Delivery Network) is a worldwide distributed system of proxy servers that works to provide high-availability and high-performance content to users. It can considerably improve the time it takes for clients all across the world to respond to your assets. As a result, you should pay attention to them. The implementation of a content delivery network can enhance user response times to files.

 

7. HTTP Requests

MORE HTTP REQUESTS = MORE LOAD TIME 

A long load time can be a disruptive and frustrating experience for your users. Mobile users will have a particularly bad experience, as most of them will have to wait until every asset on a webpage is downloaded before the page even begins to appear in their mobile browser. So, we must try to minimize HTTP requests.

 

8. HTTP compression 

Web performance can be improved by using HTTP compression. HTTP compression reduces the size of data transmitted. We recommend allowing compression for all files, with the exception of those that have already been compressed, because it improves web performance significantly. To compress data, all major browsers support gzip with the Content-Encoding header. This enables the transmission of fewer bytes to browsers, resulting in speedier content delivery. Incompatible browsers, you can also employ a more efficient brotli compression technique.

 

9. Lazy loading

One of the most important performance gains for first page loads with several images is to load the images only when they are in or near the viewport this is known as Lazy Loading. To achieve the same outcome, you may either utilise the IntersectionObserver functionality incompatible browsers or alternative tools such as react-lazyload.

 

10. HTTP/2 Protocol

The HTTP network protocol has been updated to HTTP/2 (h2 in DevConsole). Because of the following differences between HTTP/1.x and HTTP/2, switching to HTTP/2 may increase performance:

  • HTTP/2 is a binary protocol, not a textual one. It’s easier to parse and more compact.
  • HTTP/2 is multiplexed, meaning it can send several requests at the same time over a single TCP connection. It eliminates the need to worry about browser connection restrictions per server or domain sharding.
  • It reduces request/response size overhead by using header compression.
  • Allows servers to send answers in advance. This is a particularly intriguing feature.

 

The web is being taken over by mobile apps. The speed of the web app has a significant impact on its success. The capacity to launch programs at breakneck speed ensures that your company stands out in a crowded market! With the growing popularity of mobile applications over desktop websites, it’s critical that you take the necessary steps to increase the speed of your web app. the speed of your web app, which will not only improve the user experience but also help you construct a successful web app in order to stand out from the competitors. Remember that a lightning-fast application can help you carve out a special place in the customer’s mind and spirit! As a result, your application’s conversion rate may improve.

In a growing application, performance is a never-ending process that usually necessitates regular adjustments throughout the entire stack. There are a plethora of intriguing ideas to try. I hope that this information encourages you to consider performance in your application:

 

Startxlabs, one of India’s top digital transformation service providers. Launched in 2014, Startxlabs aims in innovating a digital future by developing technology for the web and mobile platforms. From our beginning as a technology development company, we’ve tried to stay true to our core beliefs and to deliver exceptional services to our clients. Whether it’s people we work for or people who work for us, we value honesty, passion, and the desire to explore. We have expertise in website development, android app development, iOS app development, Flutter, React Native app development, UI/UX design, and marketing strategy. With the engagement of our highly technical team, we have delivered over 110+ projects providing a positive impact on the users.

 

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Progressive Web Apps: Introduction, Difference, Features

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are the newest trend in web-based mobile application development. It’s not a revolutionary new technology, but rather a new word for a collection of technologies aimed at improving the user experience of web-based applications. They are apps that are built on technologies like regular websites but are perceived as full-fledged native apps. There’s a strong chance they’ll eventually supersede native and hybrid apps. In contrast to hybrid apps, they are extremely quick, and unlike native apps, they share a single code base across platforms.

 

What is a Progressive Web App?
A Progressive Web App is a type of web app that may be used as both a web page and a mobile app. They are very robust and can work on any browser whether iOS or Android.

The general concept of Progressive Web Apps is simple to grasp. They are web apps that look and operate like conventional web pages and are created in web technologies (JavaScript, CSS, HTML). Web applications, for example, are more detectable than native apps; visiting a website is easier and faster than installing an app, and you can easily share web apps by emailing a link. They are linkable and visible in search engine results, but they have identical functionality to native mobile apps: they work offline, provide push notifications, and utilize device hardware in the same way that native apps do.

PWAs aren’t made with just one type of technology. They represent a new approach to web app development that includes certain patterns, APIs, and other features. It’s not always clear whether a web app is a PWA at first sight. When an app fits particular criteria or implements a set of specific features, such as working offline, being installable, being simple to synchronize, and being able to deliver push notifications, it is deemed a PWA. PWAs are developed by meeting the majority of the standards outlined in Google’s checklist, after which they are quick, dependable, and engaging.

 

Basic difference between Native Apps, Hybrid Apps, and PWA.

Native apps are created with the platform’s programming languages and/or tools (i.e. iOS or Android). They are installed from an app store and run straight on the device (desktop or mobile) without the use of a browser.

Hybrid Apps are so-called because they’re constructed using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), but they also provide you access to platform features that a browser can’t.

Progressive Web Apps are websites that load instantaneously on any connection, whether you’re online or offline. They’re made to work on any device, but they only provide you access to the platform capabilities that browsers provide.

 

Features of Progressive Web Apps:

  • Fast
    With smooth visuals and no janky scrolling, respond promptly to user inputs. Every online business needs to have a fast website. Users who access websites, especially on their phones, are impatient. If the page takes more than three seconds to load, half of the mobile visits will be abandoned.
  • Mobile-first strategy
    PWAs are a direct response to the needs of mobile consumers, allowing organizations to create web solutions that are optimized for mobile-first and foremost.
  • Short loading time.
    PWAs render 2-3 times faster as compared to responsive websites, so visitors aren’t irritated by loading bars and can jump right into the action. UX that is similar to that of a native. PWAs have native app capabilities such as push notifications, an icon on the homepage, and offline access.
  • All in one
    It is feasible to create a web page and an application at the same time using a PWA, resulting in cost savings and a faster time-to-market. Users, on the other hand, do not need to browse app stores to download the app; they can do it right from their browser.
  • SEO-friendliness.
    Many people choose PWAs since they can be optimized according to Google’s requirements and indexed by Googlebot.
  • Reliable.
    Even in unreliable network situations, load instantly. Progressive Web Apps’ reliability is predicated on their lack of reliance on an internet connection. A PWA may work offline, offering a consistent experience regardless of connection quality. It allows customers to remain engaged for as long as they desire; they can browse a product catalog or even add goods to a shopping basket without needing to be connected to the internet. Low internet access affects a large number of clients. A PWA enables us to keep browsing without being interrupted. Offline readiness of a PWA also helps with traffic spikes on Black Fridays.
  • Engaging
    Feels like a native app on the phone, with a rich user interface. A PWA can access a device’s functionalities, allowing it to improve the customer experience and avoid re-engagement issues. Furthermore, PWAs can be browsed immediately using a browser and are simple to pin to the user’s home screen. Customers’ loyalty is increased when brands send push notifications with exclusive and real-time offers and updates.

 

Fundamental Characteristics

  • It’s discoverable. Search engines can find it easily
  • It’s Secure, so any third parties attempting to gain access to sensitive data are prevented from connecting to the user, the app, and your server.
  • It’s meant to work on any device with a screen and a browser, including phones, tablets, computers, TVs, and even refrigerators.
  • It’s installable, so it’ll show up on your device’s home screen or app launcher.
  • It’s re-engageable, which means it can send notifications whenever fresh content is available.
  • It’s linkable, so you may provide a URL to share it.
  • It’s been progressively upgraded, which means it’s still usable on a basic level in earlier browsers but completely functioning in newer ones.
  • It operates offline or with a bad network connection because it is network-independent.

Offering these capabilities and utilizing all of the benefits that web applications provide can result in a compelling, highly versatile offering for your users and clients.

 

Companies using it

  • Twitter
    Twitter Lite (mobile.twitter.com) was created as a Progressive Web App, which has improved the site’s overall user experience when accessed from a mobile device. In April 2017, it became the default mobile web experience for all users worldwide. Twitter created Twitter Lite in order to provide a more robust experience, with clear goals of rapid loading, user engagement, and reduced data usage.
  • Housing
    Housing.com is a real estate search service based in India that allows clients to search for housing based on location, amount of rooms, and other criteria. It is one of India’s most popular online real estate marketplaces. The Housing engineering group set out in 2016 to create the site’s mobile web as a Progressive Web App, and the results were well worth the effort.
  • Uber
    Uber realized that in order to reach new clients in different regions of the world, they needed a fast-loading website even on 2G. A PWA was the answer to this problem. Uber’s mobile web application, which can be found at m.uber.com, also uses PWA. This provides an app-like experience for users using low-end devices, including those that the native application may not support. The program is also extremely small—the main ride request app is only 50kB in size, allowing it to load swiftly even on 2G networks.

 

Is it for your business?
Is it necessary for every firm to develop a Progressive Web App? Certainly not. Consider your business needs and, more significantly, the needs of your end-users, just like you would with any other business choice. Do they make use of mobile apps? Do they have reliable Internet access? What is their method of accessing your website and from whence do they get it? Will a PWA help them in their careers or daily lives? Will PWAs be beneficial to users or provide a solution? Although it is simple to create PWAs, this does not automatically imply that you should. Consider not having a PWA if your users won’t benefit from it or if constructing one isn’t cost-effective.

 

Conclusion
Progressive Web Apps, pioneered by Google, joyfully embraced by Microsoft, and reluctantly adopted by Apple, are rapidly getting popular among the world’s leading online technology companies. Companies like Pinterest, Aliexpress, Trivago, OLX, and Forbes, which have already put PWA technology to the test to increase user engagement, have proven that it is the ideal solution to the mobile world’s difficulties. PWAs, in my opinion, are really valuable and can enable people who access the internet via mobile devices to have a better experience.

 

Startxlabs, one of India’s top digital transformation service providers. Launched in 2014, Startxlabs aims in innovating a digital future by developing technology for the web and mobile platforms. From our beginning as a technology development company, we’ve tried to stay true to our core beliefs and to deliver exceptional services to our clients. Whether it’s people we work for or people who work for us, we value honesty, passion, and the desire to explore. We have expertise in website development, android app development, iOS app development, Flutter, React Native app development, UI/UX design, and marketing strategy. With the engagement of our highly technical team, we have delivered over 110+ projects providing a positive impact on the users.

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