PWA

PWA (Progressive web apps)

Progressive web apps combine the best features of traditional websites and platform-specific apps.

PWAs have the benefits of websites, including:

  • PWAs are developed using standard web platform technologies, so they can run on multiple operating systems and device classes from a single codebase.
  • PWAs can be accessed directly from the web.

PWAs also have many of the benefits of platform-specific apps, including:

  • PWAs can be installed on the device. This means:
    • The PWA can be installed from platform’s app store or installed directly from the web.
    • The PWA can be installed like a platform-specific app, and can customize the install process.
    • Once installed, the PWA gets an app icon on the device, alongside platform-specific apps.
    • Once installed, the PWA can be launched as a standalone app, rather than a website in a browser.
  • PWAs can operate in the background and offline: a typical website is only active while the page is loaded in the browser. A PWA can:
    • Work while the device does not have network connectivity.
    • Update content in the background.
    • Respond to push messages from the server.
    • Display notifications using the OS notifications system.
  • PWAs can use the whole screen, rather than running in the browser UI.
  • PWAs can be integrated into the device, registering as share targets and sources, and accessing device features.
  • PWAs can be distributed in app stores, as well as openly via the web.

PWAs and Adobe Headless Commerce

  • Headless Commerce: An e-commerce architecture like Adobe Commerce/ Magento, where the frontend presentation layer (website/app) is decoupled from the backend commerce engine. This allows for greater flexibility in designing the frontend and using different technologies for each.

How they work together:

  • PWA as the Headless Frontend: In a headless commerce setup, the PWA often serves as the customer-facing frontend. It interacts with the backend commerce engine through APIs to fetch product data, process orders, manage shopping carts, etc.
  • Enhanced User Experience: The PWA’s capabilities (fast loading, offline access, push notifications) greatly enhance the user experience of a headless commerce site. This makes it feel more like a native app, leading to higher engagement and conversions.
  • Omnichannel Flexibility: Since the PWA is decoupled, you can use the same backend commerce engine to power other channels like native mobile apps, social commerce, or IoT devices. This provides a consistent shopping experience across all touchpoints.
  • Faster Time-to-Market: The decoupled architecture allows frontend and backend teams to work independently. This can speed up development cycles and make it easier to roll out new features and updates.

Benefits of using PWA with Headless Commerce:

  • Improved Performance: PWAs are known for their speed and responsiveness, even on slower connections or offline. This can significantly improve user engagement and conversion rates.
  • Engaging App-Like Experience: PWAs offer a more engaging and immersive experience compared to traditional websites, leading to increased customer satisfaction.
  • Increased Reach: PWAs can reach a wider audience as they can be accessed on any device with a web browser.
  • Cost-Effective: PWAs are generally less expensive to develop and maintain compared to native apps, making them a more cost-effective solution for businesses.

Use cases:

A retailer using a headless commerce platform like Adobe Commerce can build a PWA as their storefront. This PWA can be highly customized to match the brand’s look and feel and provide a seamless shopping experience across devices. It can leverage the PWA’s capabilities to deliver personalized recommendations, send push notifications for abandoned carts, and even allow offline browsing.

In Summary:

PWAs and headless commerce are a powerful combination. They offer the best of both worlds: the flexibility and scalability of a headless architecture with the performance and user experience benefits of a PWA. This is becoming increasingly popular as businesses strive to deliver exceptional shopping experiences across all channels.

To modernize your commerce site with PWA and headless commerce backend like JHCEshop.com, Pricerite.com.hk ? Contact us today and our consultants will discuss with you in details.