There's No Reason For Most Of You To Ever Create A Native Android or IOS App... Really

Blog Post - Stephen Wicks

Okay.  So I know that many of you believe that having an android or ios app available for download is "cool."  Many of you think that it would raise the profile of your business if you had a way to communicate with your customers via their cell phones.  It would be nice if they could just click on the icon located on their phone's screen and get directly to your app.

If you're one of those people, I have some shocking news for you.  There is practically no reason for any of you to ever have to create a native app for your business.  It's the end of 2018 and as you know things change rapidly in the tech world.  There used to be just two options: build a mobile website, or build an app.  Both of those had it's pros and cons.  It really depended on the needs of your business.

Native apps offered the best experience and offline interactivity, but due to development costs and terrible engagement rates (especially for small business apps), they weren’t always worth the investment. Apps were also subjected to the rules, regulations, and whims of fickle, temperamental app stores. 

​The mobile internet needed a breakthrough, and in 2015, it arrived with the birth of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). Progressive Web Apps are already making their mark as the fastest, easiest, and best way to have a winning mobile experience. And they’re on track to become not just an option, but the top option for mobile internet engagement.

 PWAs can best be described as websites that behave like apps. If you imagine that an app and a website had a lovechild that inherited its parents’ best characteristics (and none of the worst), that would be exactly what a PWA is. From one parent (the website), the PWA inherits its easy discoverability (without having to be downloaded) and low maintenance upkeep; and from the other parent (the app), the PWA inherits its rich functionality, offline user interactivity, and engaging experience.

Like a website, a PWA is accessed directly from your web browser; and like an app, it can be installed on your mobile device’s home screen and send you notifications. Though PWAs have been around for a few years, they’re really starting to hit their stride now, so there’s no better time than now to take advantage of this new technology.

Our company has already used this technology to develop PWAs and they work very well.  They're fast.  Icons can be downloaded to the cell phone home screen just like a native app, they can be created in less time and for less money.  It's a win/win for businesses and the development team.

Have you ever heard of PWAs?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Stephen Wicks
Lead Designer / CEO
Stephen Wicks Internet Development Company
​stephen@stephenwicks.com