Progressive Web App in App Development: Key Benefits and Practices

A Progressive Web App is a website that behaves like a native app — it works offline, loads fast, and can be installed on a device without going through app stores.

Why It Matters

• Reduces development time and cost by combining web and mobile experiences.

• Increases accessibility with no app store approval or downloads required.

• Boosts engagement through offline functionality and home screen access.

• Improves SEO and discoverability compared to native apps.

• Ideal for rapid deployment and iteration.

Use This Term When...

• You're deciding between a native app and a web-based solution.

• You're targeting users with limited storage or connectivity.

• You're aiming for cross-platform access with one codebase.

• You're prioritising speed, accessibility, and installability.

• You're launching an MVP with broad reach and lower overhead.

Real-World Example

In one of our projects, we built a Progressive Web App to provide users with a fast, app-like experience directly through their browsers. This approach improved accessibility across devices, reduced development costs, and increased user engagement by 30% without requiring App Store downloads.

Founder Insight

PWAs are a smart choice when you want app-like functionality without the app store hassle. They’re fast, lightweight, and great for testing product-market fit.

Key Metrics / Concepts 

• Install Rate – Percentage of users who add the PWA to their device.
• Time to Interactive (TTI) – How quickly the app is usable after loading.
• Offline Availability – Whether users can interact with the app without internet.
• Engagement Depth – How frequently users return and interact.
• Push Notification Opt-In – Rate at which users allow updates and alerts.

Tools & Technologies 

• Lighthouse – Audits and scores PWA readiness and performance.

• Workbox – Helps implement caching and offline capabilities.

• React + PWA Plugins – Combines a popular frontend framework with PWA functionality.

What’s Next / Future Trends

PWAs are gaining traction as a standard for fast, universal app experiences. Expect better browser support, deeper device integration, and more businesses skipping the app stores entirely.

Related Terms

• Mobile App – Traditional downloadable apps compared to PWAs.

• Responsive Design – Essential for creating device-flexible PWAs.

• Web Accessibility – A key concern when building inclusive PWAs.

• Offline Functionality – Core feature of well-designed PWAs.

• App Development Roadmap – PWAs can be a milestone before native development.

Helpful Videos / Articles / Pages

Blog: How to Build Your Website

Blog: Building a Cohesive and Visually Appealing Website for Gallery Funaki

Call to Action

Thinking of skipping the app stores and going straight to users? Let’s explore how a Progressive Web App could be the smart move for your launch.