A Guide on How to Convert a Website into a Progressive Web App

Customers expect organisations in today’s complex digital environment to deliver seamless experiences at every touch point. PWAs have been identified as a helpful solution, as they provide features of both web and mobile applications. If you decide converting website to PWA, that is one of the steps in improving users’ experience and the ability to load content while they are offline. This guideline will then help you set up the progressive web app, pointing out which steps you need to take to turn your website into a top-notch PWA.

What is a Progressive Web App?

A progressive web app is indeed similar to a responsive website, but it behaves like an app on a smartphone or any other device. PWAS prove to be adaptive, hard to hack and work even in the offline mode with the use of service workers. Some of the provided features include the use of push notifications, installation on the home screen, and reliable performance even when on weak networks. Nowadays, enlisting the help of a web app development company can help a business take full advantage of PWAS and deliver the best experience for users across all devices.

Curious about our PWA success stories? Explore Our Portfolio

Why Should You Convert Your Website into a PWA?

Converting your website to a Progressive Web App (PWA) offers several key advantages. Firstly, it significantly enhances the loading speed, which is vital for retaining users. PWAS provide offline functionality, enabling users to access content when there is no internet connection. Thirdly, they boost user engagement through features like push notifications. Lastly, PWAS are installable, which means users can add your site directly to their home screen without visiting an app store. All these factors contribute to higher user retention and better conversion rates.

So, when it comes to web app development, most companies advocate for the use of PWAS as they are cheaper and easier to deploy than developing two separate apps: a company’s Android app and its ios app. Engaging a professional web application developer is an effective way to plan and achieve a proper start and a strong foundation.

Steps to Convert a Website into a Progressive Web App

With the benefits covered, let me provide you with an overview of what's required to set up a progressive web app.

1. Make Sure Your Website is Mobile-Friendly

Your website should also be fully responsive before implementing a PWA. This website provides a seamless experience across different browsers and offers optimal performance on various websites. There is always Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test that you can use to check how your website is doing when it comes to the responsiveness test.

2. Serve Your Website Over HTTPS

This is an essential requirement, as security cannot be a point of compromise when it comes to PWAS. HTTPS must be implemented and used on your webpage to ensure secure information exchange between the client and the server. It is simple to install an SSL certificate, and they are available at relatively affordable rates. A security-enhanced website serves not only to protect users interested in a particular website but also to help gain users’ or visitors’ trust and boost SEO optimisation.

3. Create a Web App Manifest

A web app manifest is a JSON specification about the features and behaviour of a web app once it is installed. It consists of the application name, icons, starting URL, pop-up mode and background colour.

4. Implement Service Workers

Service workers are scripts that run in the background and perform tasks such as caching, push notifications, and serving content offline. They allow your app’s interface to be faster, even when the internet connection is unavailable, and can help it download content in advance. This step is crucial for achieving a well-progressed progressive web app installation.

5. Test Your PWA

However, it is reasonably simple to check your PWA after creating the necessary files, such as the manifest and service workers. Other applications, such as Lighthouse available in Chrome DevTools, can also be used to audit your app. Lighthouse will assess your app’s performance, accessibility, SEO, and PWA compliance, giving you actionable feedback for improvement.

6. Optimise and Deploy

Once testing is complete, optimise CSS, JavaScript files, and images to ensure they load as quickly as possible. After optimisation, it is advisable to release your app and oversee its functionality. What is more important to note is that work is not over after deployment; update the service worker to enable efficient handling of new content.

When it comes to businesses, hiring a capable and reliable web app development firm is always strategic, as all the elaborate functions, such as coding, testing, and deployment, are covered.

Do you have questions about setting up a Progressive Web App? Drop us an email.

Common Challenges in Converting Websites to PWAS

However, as in any process, there are certain factors which might pose a threat to the process. This is one of the reasons why managing cache is essential, as users may be exposed to outdated site content. Another significant difficulty that may be encountered is working with background sync, and the receipt of push notifications may require the assistance of professionals. However, further actions may be necessary to ensure optimal performance across various browsers and devices.

This is why more enterprises opt for a web app development company that provides PWA services. Thus, their inputs can prevent and resolve technical issues to ensure a seamless experience is provided.

Conclusion

It is exceptionally viable to convert a website to a Progressive Web App (PWA) as a means of preparing for future trends and developments. This is a next-gen website that functions like a native application, providing fast-loading, reliable, and entertaining content. By following these steps, you can successfully create a progressive web app that benefits the users. Regardless of the approach taken to implement it, the PWA technology is a valuable addition to your business, helping to increase user activity and benefiting your company.

Ready to transform your website into a powerful PWA? Contact Us today

FAQS on Converting a Website to a PWA

1. What is needed to start converting a website to a PWA?
Firstly, your website should have a mobile-first design, an equivalent SSL connection, a web app manifest, and a service worker. The following are some components that will check if your site meets the standards of a Progressive Web App.

2. How long does it take to complete a progressive web app setup?
The time varies depending on the current state of the online portal you are working on. In terms of time, creating a basic PWA solution typically takes one to three days; semi-custom PWA web solutions may take 1-2 weeks at most, depending on the specific project requirements.

3. Do I need coding knowledge to convert my website to a PWA?
A basic level of coding skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will enable the ability to create manifest and service worker files. Still, many companies employ a web app development company since the professional development is well handled.

4. What are the key benefits of converting my website to a PWA?
The benefits include increased loading speed, access to offline mode, enhanced interactivity, notifications, and the possibility of installing the application on mobile devices without requiring an app store.

5. Can a web app development company help with PWA optimisation post-launch?
Yes, a professional web app development company not only handles the initial setup but also provides ongoing support for performance optimisation, security updates, and feature enhancements after launch.