Progressive Web Applications (PWA)

A modern mobile standard that increases user convenience and supports conversion

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 that want to take on this challenge and achieve success online. This is a modern way of building applications that encompasses a set of practices and technologies aimed at increasing usability. In practice, this means that PWA combines the best of the user experience when browsing the web: it works in a default web browser while behaving like a native app on all mobile devices, all while providing offline functionality.

At X-ONE, we have adopted PWA as a new standard that will soon become as obvious and essential an element of design as the currently accepted concept of responsiveness. We successfully implement it in various projects for our clients across many industries.

It is not without reason that PWA technology has earned a useful acronym that helps explain why it is so effective — it is referred to by the abbreviation FIRE:

FAST

INTEGRATE

RELIABLE AND

ENGAGING

PWA must-haves — what sets the PWA standard apart?

Offline operation – this is a key value and a hallmark of PWA, as it ensures continuity of service when there is no network access by performing background synchronization. It uses a piece of code called a Service Worker for this purpose.

Connection security and privacy – thanks to the HTTPS certificate, which authenticates visited pages and ensures data integrity, while also being a requirement for service workers to function.

Saving an app shortcut without installation – thanks to the Web App Manifest file, users can add an app shortcut to their device's home screen without needing to install it from an app store. The JSON file defines information such as the app name, language, default orientation, and icon, allowing the application to function and look similar to a native one.

Speed – PWA applications perfectly fit the Mobile First standard, where the loading speed of mobile pages (in this case, PWA-based) is a key factor influencing the quality of the user experience. Performance speed also favors indexing by Google, thereby increasing visibility in search results.

Automatic updates – changes are published instantly by uploading files to the server, just like with websites. Users always have the latest version without needing to download updates from app stores, and the publisher gains tight and immediate control over the application's performance.

User experience – full responsiveness and UX that rivals native applications.

Innovative mobile solutions for business

By providing innovative technologies, we help companies transition to a mobile-first reality: adapting to current requirements and meeting modern trends. Our practical knowledge of PWA allows us to create dedicated solutions to precisely and comprehensively achieve 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%.

Source: 55 the data company and Deloitte Digital: Milliseconds make Millions

Do PWAs work for e-commerce?

Organizations planning to expand or focus their mobile communication, as well as companies already seeing high mobile traffic, will see tangible benefits from using this technology. It is the answer to the need for a multi-platform application with native app functionality that users can access regardless of where they are or what device they are using at the moment.

Industries and use cases where we deliver innovative mobile solutions include:

views of progressive web apps on 3 different devices

Insurance companies – offer presentations and insurance policy comparison

Investment funds – investment portfolio management

Banks – mobile banking services, product and offer presentations, and customer communication

Logistics companies – applications for couriers carrying out complex deliveries

News sites – extensive portals with user accounts providing personalized content based on preferences

E-commerce platforms – stores recording even several hundred sessions/month, utilizing smart search, push notifications, geolocation, and offline access

Tools tailored for e-commerce

In the e-commerce space, implementing the PWA standard means equipping yourself with useful tools and solutions that are key to increasing conversion. From startups to the largest brands, the utility and potential of PWA cannot be overstated, thanks to the measurable effects of the implemented functionalities.

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 this design methodology. It enables the creation of specialized site versions based on the principle of progressive enhancement, where the process begins with screens for devices with the lowest resolution, and then existing functionalities are expanded and new ones are added as the resolution increases.

Why headless? Because it separates the front-end from the back-end, using an API as a connector. Headless PWA offers greater flexibility than traditional monolithic solutions, enabling independent development of the presentation layer. Tools such as Vue Storefront – an open-source front-end platform for headless commerce – allow for the full utilization of scalability and performance potential, which is crucial for dynamically growing businesses.

According to Gemius/PBI research from August 2020, the number of internet users utilizing mobile devices reached 24.2 million

Native app

Built entirely for a single platform, where each application is based on separate code for Android, iOS, and other systems.

with separate codebases for Android, iOS, and other systems

Requirement to download from the App Store/Google Play

which results in fees for publishers. An application installed on a device may require periodic, time-consuming updates.

PWA App

Accessible and optimized

in terms of functionality across various platforms and desktop.

No installation required

and automatic updates, almost in real-time. You simply add an app shortcut to your device's home screen and you can start using it immediately.

Almost perfect? Understanding the limitations of PWA

In addition to PWA applications and native applications—often considered the most contrasting in terms of functionality—there are also hybrid and cross-platform applications. These emerged as a result of different ways of implementing the frontend. The multitude of technologies used by developers stems from both specific functionalities and limitations, the significance of which must be assessed in the context of the project.

Poorer performance on iOS
Limitations in using hardware and system features (partially offset by responsiveness)
Higher battery consumption and lower performance (mainly relevant for gaming)

Capacitor - for mobile app enthusiasts

Capacitor, developed by the Ionic team, is a technology that enables you to fully leverage the potential of the mobile channel for both users who prefer apps and those who use a browser. It allows you to create 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 for all platforms.

Reach – having an application in major mobile app stores allows you to reach Android and iOS users, thereby expanding the reach of your promotional and marketing activities.
Speed – applications created using Capacitor are lightweight and perform quickly, which positively impacts the user experience and reduces the risk of uninstallation.
Time and cost optimization – implementing an application using Capacitor typically takes a few weeks and generates lower costs than building native apps. Importantly, it does not require maintaining separate versions for each platform, which simplifies further development and project management.