PWA (Progressive Web Apps): Why Nobody Downloads Your App Anymore
“App Store fatigue” is real. Users don’t want another app. A PWA is a website that behaves like an app — offline support, notifications and a home‑screen icon.
When was the last time you downloaded a new app? Statistics say the average person downloads 0 new apps per month. We use Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube. There is no room for your restaurant or shop app. That’s where PWA — Progressive Web App — comes in. It’s a website on steroids.
What makes a PWA special? (Service Workers)
The heart of a PWA is the “Service Worker” — a small script that runs in the background. It enables:
- Offline support: If the customer goes into an elevator and loses signal, your shop still works. They see products that were previously loaded.
- Push notifications: You can send a message like “Your favorite product is -20%” even when the browser is closed. That’s marketing’s holy grail.
- Home‑screen icon: The customer can add your site to their phone’s home screen. It looks like an app, opens like an app (without browser bars), but doesn’t take 100MB.
Mobile app vs PWA: the wallet decides
Native app (iOS + Android): Development costs €20,000 - €100,000. You pay Apple €99/year and Google €25/year. The App Store takes 30% of your revenue.
PWA: This is an upgrade to your website. The cost is much lower (often just a few thousand euros on top of the site budget). You don’t have to wait for Apple approval for updates.
Google loves PWAs:
Because a PWA is a website, it’s visible to search engines. Your app content (e.g. products) appears in Google search. Native app content lives in a “black box.”
FAQ: PWA
Does it work on iPhone? +
Yes. Since iOS 16.4 Apple supports Web Push notifications (if the user adds the site to the home screen). Android has had full support for years.
Can I put a PWA in the App Store? +
Yes. Using “TWA” (Trusted Web Activities) you can package a PWA and publish it on Google Play. Apple is stricter, but it’s still possible.
Your first app?
Don’t burn a fortune on app development. Start with a PWA. It’s faster, cheaper and often better.
Request a PWA quote →SIA DESIGN
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