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Progressive Web Applications (PWA)
The mobile reality
We live in the era of smartphones. They don’t just simplify our daily lives - they shape them, both personally and professionally. Today, nearly 95% users access the Internet via mobile devices. And the vast majority rely on their phones as much as (or more than) on desktops or tablets. As mobile technology becomes more trusted and widespread, expectations around speed, security, and overall user experience continue to rise. So the question in the world of IT is no longer if mobile matters -
It’s how to optimize your mobile apps and websites to meet those rising demands.
A New Standard of Usability
Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are a flexible solution for companies ready to embrace the demands of modern mobile-first experiences and succeed online. PWAs represent a cutting-edge approach to application development, combining a set of best practices and technologies aimed at maximizing usability. In practice, this means PWAs deliver the best of both worlds: they run in a standard web browser, yet behave like native mobile apps across all devices - and they even work offline.
At X-ONE, we treat PWA as the new standard - soon to be just as essential and expected as responsive design is today. We’ve already implemented this technology across a wide range of projects for clients in various industries.
There’s a reason PWA has earned a memorable acronym that highlights its strengths. We call it FIRE:
FAST
INTEGRATE
RELIABLE AND
ENGAGING
Must-have PWA - What sets the PWA standard apart?
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Offline functionality - This is one of the defining features of PWA. Even without an internet connection, the app remains operational by syncing data in the background. This is made possible by a small script called a Service Worker.
Add to home screen without installation - Thanks to the Web App Manifest file, users can add the app to their device’s home screen - no app store needed. This JSON file defines details such as the app’s name, language, orientation, and icon, making the app feel and behave like a native one.
Instant updates - Changes are deployed immediately by updating files on the server - just like with websites. Users always have access to the latest version, without having to download updates from an app store. For app owners, this means full, real-time control over the app.
Secure and private by default - PWAs run over HTTPS, which authenticates the site and ensures data integrity. It’s also a requirement for Service Workers to function properly.
Speed - PWAs are built for performance, aligning perfectly with the Mobile First approach. Fast load times improve user experience and also help boost visibility in search engines like Google.
User experience - PWAs offer full responsiveness and a UX that rivals native apps.
Innovative mobile solutions for business
By delivering cutting-edge technology, we help companies transition into the mobile-first world - adapting to today’s standards and staying ahead of digital trends. Our hands-on expertise with Progressive Web Apps (PWA) allows us to build tailored solutions that align precisely with our clients’ business goals.
AI
By leveraging AI, we enable smart automation and optimization of business processes. Applications can analyze data in real time and adapt to users’ needs with precision.
Omnichannel
PWA unlocks the full potential of omnichannel strategies - offering new, integrated sales channels and streamlined communication tools, all within a unified customer experience.
Commitment
PWAs provide greater opportunities to boost customer engagement and loyalty - without requiring users to install another native app. Push notifications ensure communication is maintained.
Trust
Consistent user experience and branding across platforms help reinforce credibility and strengthen brand trust.
Cost efficiency
Since PWAs work across browsers and devices, there’s no need to develop separate solutions for each platform - significantly reducing project costs.
Optimization
Streamline and accelerate internal processes like customer service, logistics, production, employee management, and more with scalable, mobile-ready tools.
Conversion
The combination of fast performance and enhanced user engagement directly translates into higher conversion rates especially in e-commerce.
App speed and user behavior
70%
Up to 70% of mobile shoppers abandon their purchase within seconds if the buying process feels even slightly difficult.
8%
Just 100 milliseconds of improved load time can increase conversion rates by 8%.
5%
That same 100 milliseconds can also boost user engagement by 5%.
Źródło: 55 the data company and Deloitte Digital: Milliseconds make Millions
Are PWAs a good fit for
e-commerce?
Tangible benefits of implementing this technology will be particularly noticeable for organizations planning to expand or focus their communication with mobile users, as well as for companies already experiencing high traffic from mobile devices. It addresses the need to create a multi-platform application with native app functionalities - one that users can access regardless of their location or the device they are using at any given moment.
Industries and use cases where we deliver innovative mobile solutions include:
Insurance companies – Showcasing insurance offers and enabling easy comparison of policy conditions
Banks – Mobile banking services, product presentation, and direct customer communication
News platforms – Advanced content portals with user accounts and personalized feeds based on preferences
Investment funds – Tools for managing investment portfolios and real-time financial insights
Logistics companies – Apps for couriers managing complex deliveries and routing
E-commerce platforms – High-traffic online stores (hundreds of sessions/months) using smart search, push notifications, geolocation, and offline access
E-commerce tools that drive results
In the e-commerce space, implementing the PWA standard means equipping your platform with powerful tools essential for boosting conversions. From early-stage startups to global brands, the value and potential of PWA are undeniable - thanks to measurable performance gains and impactful features.
Cross-device accessibility
Reach users across all kinds of devices, including older models ensuring fast and seamless access to your store. This helps you connect with your target audience more effectively and increases both unique visits and page views.
Push notifications
With technology like OneSignal, you can send timely alerts - even after users leave your site. Notify customers about new arrivals, promotions, alerts, and reminders. On mobile, push notifications are often the very first thing users see on their screens. The format options are broad: banners, personalized emails, pop-ups, and SMS. Real-time reporting, combined with personalization and automation, adds even more power to your engagement strategy.
Geolocation
Leverage precise GPS data latitude, longitude, and altitude to pinpoint user locations and deliver hyper-targeted experiences. From offers and ads to messages, content can be tailored to specific geographic areas. You can also restrict access based on location, which is essential for regulatory or security purposes.
Smart Search
Built on autocomplete, autocorrect, and advanced filtering/sorting, smart search is key for mobile optimization - especially for industries with large catalogs or hard-to-pronounce brand or product names.
Speed and performance are critical - particularly for large-scale online stores. Advanced algorithms also support intelligent suggestions that expand your product offering based on user behavior and preferences.
Why it matters
200%
Mobile users spend twice as much time shopping online compared to desktop users.
53%
53% of users abandon a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load.
43%
43% of online shoppers rely on the search bar as their starting point.
50%
Personalized push notifications have a 50% higher click-through rate than non-segmented messages.
Source: https://www.algolia.com/blog/ecommerce/e-commerce-search-and-kpis-statistics, https://onesignal.com/blog/insights-from-118-billion-push-notifications-sent-through-onesignal/
PWA and Headless Architecture for Mobile First Design
Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are a natural response to the growing number of internet users browsing on mobile devices. PWAs effectively support the mobile-first - an approach that prioritizes reaching mobile users and shaping all design and development decisions around that goal. In line with this shift, Google has updated its indexing strategy: website rankings are now determined primarily based on the mobile version of a site and how accessible its content is for users on smartphones and tablets. This mindset also drives the way we design: starting with smaller screens first. Mobile-first design means optimizing layouts, features, and content specifically for mobile devices - delivering a fast, seamless, and intuitive user experience tailored to the realities and constraints of mobile usage.
Implementing a flexible, modular headless architecture supports the mobile-first design methodology. It enables the creation of highly specialized site versions through progressive enhancement - a design strategy where development begins with the smallest screen sizes and gradually expands functionality and features as screen size increases. According to Gemius/PBI (August 2020), 24.2 million internet users in Poland were browsing via mobile devices highlighting the massive relevance of this approach.
According to Gemius/PBI research from August 2020, the number of internet users accessing the web via mobile devices reached 24.2 million.
Why go headless?
Because it decouples the front-end from the back-end, using APIs as a bridge. This gives businesses far more flexibility than traditional monolithic platforms. A headless PWA architecture allows for the independent development of the presentation layer - ideal for agile teams and fast-moving product cycles. Tools like Vue Storefront an open-source front-end platform for headless commerce unlock the full potential of performance, scalability, and maintainability. That’s essential for fast-growing, digitally driven businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve.
Native App
Built specifically for one platform, with separate codebases for Android, iOS, and other systems
Must be downloaded from app stores (App Store / Google Play), which may involve distribution fees for publishers
PWA App
Accessible and optimized for use across multiple platforms - including mobile and desktop
No installation required and updates happen automatically, almost in real time Users can add an app shortcut directly to their home screen and start using it instantly
Almost perfect? Understanding the limitations of PWA
While PWAs and native apps are often viewed as opposite ends of the mobile technology spectrum, other approaches such as hybrid and cross-platform apps also exist - each shaped by different front-end development strategies. The variety of technologies developers use reflects the need to match specific features to the project’s goals but also the need to work around technical constraints. In the case of PWAs, a few limitations still apply:
- Weaker performance on iOS
- Restricted access to hardware-level functions and some system APIs (although strong responsiveness often compensates for this in everyday usage)
- Higher battery consumption and lower performance, which can be noticeable especially in graphics-heavy applications like games
Capacitor - for advocates of mobile applications
Capacitor, a technology developed by the Ionic team, enables the full potential of the mobile channel - both for users who prefer mobile apps and those who access content through a browser. It allows developers to build applications using web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and run them as native mobile apps that can be distributed via Google Play and the App Store. This makes it possible to maintain a single codebase across all platforms.
- Reach – Having your app available in major mobile stores allows you to reach users on both Android and iOS platforms, significantly expanding the reach of promotional and marketing efforts.
- Speed – Applications built with Capacitor are lightweight and fast, which improves the user experience and reduces the risk of uninstallation.
- Time and cost optimization – Implementing an app using Capacitor typically takes just a few weeks and involves lower costs than building native applications. Importantly, it eliminates the need to maintain separate versions for each platform, simplifying ongoing development and project management.
FAQ
What is a PWA and how does it work?
A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web application that runs in a browser but offers a native mobile app-like experience. It supports offline mode, fast loading, push notifications, and can be added to the home screen without downloading it from an app store
How do PWAs compare to off-the-shelf mobile apps?
PWAs offer more flexibility and lower implementation costs than native apps available in app stores. Running in the browser, they can replicate many features of native apps without the need to develop separate versions for Android and iOS.
Can I integrate a custom web app with the systems currently used in my company?
Yes - the custom applications we build are designed with integration in mind, including ERP, CRM, and other internal systems. We tailor each solution to your company’s specific requirements. However, integration may also require adjustments on your side - especially when legacy systems or off-the-shelf software from other vendors are involved.
Which companies should consider implementing a PWA?
Companies with a large share of mobile users, operating in an omnichannel model or looking for fast, lightweight, and user-friendly online solutions should consider adopting PWA technology. It works particularly well in e-commerce, logistics, media, and public services.