Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): The Future of Fast, Reliable, and Engaging Web Experiences

Want to know how to make progressive web apps easy to build? Follow this simplified process.

1. Use HTTPS

PWAs require secure connections. If you’re using platforms like Vercel, Netlify, or Firebase Hosting, HTTPS is enabled by default.

🔗 Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL certificates.

2. Create a Web App Manifest

This JSON file tells the browser how your app should behave.

json

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{

  “name”: “My PWA App”,

  “short_name”: “PWAApp”,

  “start_url”: “/”,

  “display”: “standalone”,

  “theme_color”: “#317EFB”,

  “icons”: [

    {

      “src”: “/icons/icon-192×192.png”,

      “type”: “image/png”,

      “sizes”: “192×192”

    }

  ]

}

🔗 See Google’s Web App Manifest Guide

3. Implement a Service Worker

Service workers are JavaScript files that run in the background to manage caching, offline capabilities, and push notifications.

js

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self.addEventListener(‘fetch’, (event) => {

  event.respondWith(

    caches.match(event.request)

      .then((response) => response || fetch(event.request))

  );

});

🔗 Learn to write service workers at ServiceWorker Cookbook

4. Add to Home Screen

Prompt users to install your app using the beforeinstallprompt event.

🔗 Check Google’s Add to Home Screen Guidelines

5. Test with Lighthouse

Use Google Lighthouse to audit your PWA for speed, accessibility, and PWA compliance.

🔗 Try Lighthouse