Up until a year ago it may have seemed impossible that something could replace the almighty native mobile app. However, it’s now becoming pretty clear that Progressive Web Apps are on the rise and native apps are on the way out. This holds even more true for small businesses, as their customers are looking for a seamless way to collect loyalty points, see specials, and place orders – without needing to commit to storing an app on their phone. While consumers often see the benefits of downloading (and keeping) the Starbucks app, they might find it harder to justify the download of a small business app that they might use only once a week, or even once a month.
Customers won’t need to weigh the pros and cons of downloading a certain app with a PWA, as it offers a streamlined user experience that begins with how easy they are to access. All the user has to do is click a link, and voila, the PWA is ready to use! And if they like it, they can save the app to their home screen, but they don’t have to. Compare that to downloading, installing, and setting up a native app, just to use a loyalty program for the first time.
PWAs can attract broader audiences with its lower barrier to entry. More people are likely to try an app if all they have to do is click a link or scan a QR code. From there they can decide whether they want to continue using the app or not.
But if you still aren’t completely convinced, here are 10 reasons why PWAs are here to stay [infographic]:
