What is Magento PWA and how much is it needed in an eCommerce store?;
The benefits of the platform for building an online store, Magento, are many. Especially when it comes to large organizations or stores, then its use is the only way to support their structures. The specific benefits and advantages have been mentioned in a previous article, 9 reasons to create an e-shop with Magento. But along with Magento, the central idea is made up of modules and Magento PWA. But what is Magento PWA and how much is it needed in an eCommerce store?;
What is Magento PWA?;
Το Magento PWA (Progressive Web App) αφορά έναν συνδυασμό από εγγενής εφαρμογές (Native Apps) και εφαρμογές ιστού (Web Apps). Αυτές οι εφαρμογές ιστού, προσδίδουν στην ιστοσελίδα ενός καταστήματος, την ταχύτητα απόκρισης, την βελτιστοποίηση των μηχανών αναζήτησης και ένα εμπλουτισμένο UI/UX. Τα PWA στην ουσία αποτελούν συντομεύσεις ιστότοπου και γι’αυτό το λόγο καταναλώνουν ελάχιστη μνήμη.
Apart from that, PWA is just as convenient on mobile phones as a native app. Such apps are also known as single page application (SPA) variants. They are the opposite of traditional web architecture. This idea involves separating the frontend from the backend so that they communicate via an API. The website then becomes more flexible to the changes introduced and thus its advantages increase. A PWA is therefore more adaptable as the frontend and backend are less dependent on each other.
What does UI/UX mean in Magento PWA.
In Magento PWA, as in any other application, UI/UX are two different things, but they coexist. So, UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) are two interdependent terms. While UI generally deals with the interaction between users and systems, software and computer applications, UX generally deals with the overall experience of a user with a brand, product or service.
What are the features of Magento PWA?;
PWA technologies work together to enhance a Magento store. Here are some of the benefits and features of Magento PWA:
When a user visits a Magento 2 PWA, the browser sends a request to a server via API, which returns HTML with a link to JS files. The browser creates page templates without dynamic content. These templates are cached and do not need to be loaded when the user opens other pages. The backend sends only the required data, which creates less load on the server and greater speed. So one of the main features and advantages of Magento PWA is speed.
Converting to Magento PWA can offer several benefits to an eCommerce Store.
How many apps are left unused on a mobile phone? At the same time, they take up a lot of storage space, requiring other files to be deleted. What if customers visit a Magento store once a month for example? They will definitely remove the app after completing an order. Thus, all efforts to create a native app ultimately come to nothing. PWAs are less demanding in terms of memory consumption. Their weight is measured in KB compared to MB for classic apps.
Another great feature is that it bypasses the need for a user to go and install the store app from Google's Play Store, for example. Thus, they can place an app shortcut for the Magento store on the mobile home screen, thanks to the use of Magento PWA.
What are APIs and how do they work?;
API stands for Application Programming Interface, which is a set of definitions and protocols for creating and integrating application software. Essentially, it allows different applications to interact with each other and inform each other, without depending on each other for their functionality.
APIs commonly allow a product or service to communicate with other products and services without having to know how they are implemented. This can simplify application development, saving time and money. When designing new tools and products—or managing existing ones—APIs offer flexibility, simplify design, management, and use, and provide opportunities for innovation.
Additional advantages of Magento PWA.
Είναι ουσιαστικά σαν μια εφαρμογή. Τα PWA δεν είναι μόνο εξαιρετικά γρήγορα αλλά έχουν και εξαιρετικές δυνατότητες UX. Γι’ αυτό τα PWA φέρονται σαν κλασικές εφαρμογές. Είναι κάτι καλύτερο ως λύση από το “φιλικό προς κινητά”.
Magento PWA example, on the well-known AliExpress
Push notifications are a crucial feature for e-commerce websites to re-engage visitors. Subscribers will receive notifications on their home screens and will be notified if they forgot something in their cart, about new offers, and anything else that might entice them back into the store.
Finally, another advantage is the low cost, as there is no need to develop another one for iOS and another one for Android. So thanks to a Magento PWA, a lot of resources can be saved.
How does Magento PWA help an eCommerce store?;
A Magento store can benefit from converting to a PWA in the following ways:
The amazing speed and ease of setup can reduce the bounce rate and increase mobile conversions. The native experience will increase user-friendliness. It will give the store the necessary edge in the crowded marketplace and encourage shoppers to return to the site. Other site metrics, such as session duration, pages visited per session, and cart abandonment rate, will also improve. Since PWAs remain websites, they can promote the store in search results, gain backlinks, and drive visitors from other resources.
Magento PWA development costs.
Pricing for a Magento 2 PWA depends on the needs. It starts at a fairly high price for basic features and can skyrocket for advanced options like custom UX/UI design, endless support, and other individual services. It also varies depending on the state of the original website. The more customized the store is, the more it will cost.
Epilogue.
Converting an eCommerce store to a Magento PWA has many benefits over a native app. It offers speed, excellent search engine optimization, and a small footprint that discourages users from uninstalling it. This way, a customer or potential customer can be sure that they will receive the notifications that each eCommerce store wants to send to the final recipient.