Accelerated Mobile Pages and Progressive Web Apps
Developers have been working on accelerating the speed of mobile pages, to optimise the increase in web usage on mobile devices over traditional desktops.
Progressive Web Apps are a combination of the best of the web and the best of apps. Lead software engineer Alex Russell explains that Progressive Web Apps “Blur the line between web content and apps, but they keep the strengths of the web”. These apps deliver reliable performance for fast initial loading, as well as reliable second visits. This is done through the use of cached data and tools such as Service Workers with an app framework.
So essentially Progressive Web Apps mean mobile web pages with the functionalities of an app. Including push notifications, offline accessibility and the ability to add a shortcut to your home screen all without the need to access an app store, or lenghty download times.
Ascensor developed a new progressive web app that enables Proform Racing's users to make their choices in a matter of seconds via any device. The app is referred to as the Bet, Lay and Trade Finder (BLT for short) and it’s the only tool available on the market that enables punters to find the best bets, lays and trades. By building the app with an intuitive design, those who lack hours in the day to search through data can now place their bets, lays or trades in the click of a few buttons.
How can it affect SEO?
Theses apps have very fast load times and progressively build relationships with users, therefore becoming more and more powerful over time. An app will capture user behaviours and preferences to deliver a personalised experience, app features such as push notifications will be sent to users to promote re-engagement notifying them of information relevant for them from the previous data it has captured, without the need for an email, all of these things will support search engine optimisation objectives.
The apps offer many benefits from a mobile site these include:
- The apps cache user data, this means users will be able to view these apps offline if they have visited the website previously.
- Offline functionality that tracks activities of user even when not interacting directly with it.
- Keeps with the theme of mobile friendly sites allowing easy navigation.
- Lower data usage encourages usage for users with a limited or slow internet.
- Increased accessibility as there is no need of an app store and no downloading or paying.
Progressive Web Apps are the next generation on how users will interact online, as the understanding and technology surrounding PWA’s increase, more and more of these apps will be developed and become the norm. Released originally on Chrome, other webpages are now supporting Progressive Web Apps and will become more widespread as the technology advances.
Progressive web app development relies heavily on our UX design process to properly plan the user journey, ensuring that the mobile experience meets expectations for usability.
Website development capability is evolving faster than ever as is mobile internet usage, we believe that progressive web apps will be the future for all website development in the coming years ande we’re building more and more of them for businesses whose device traffic is heavily in favour of mobile and tablet; have you thought about a progressive web app for your next website? Get in touch with Ascensor today and get involved in the future of web development.