How A Progressive Web App Builder Can Be Used To Build Your App

The internet is abuzz with millions of native mobile apps which are costly to develop and maintain. These apps are limited to particular operating systems and devices. The limitations associated with native apps have seen businesses and innovators shift from hardcore android app development and iOS app development to adopting more flexible web apps. We are currently experiencing more companies leveraging progressive web app development to solve predominant business challenges. Progressive web apps have several advantages over native apps. They work on any mobile device or computer, provided it has a browser. These apps are highly responsive, fast and can operate offline – the demand for internet connectivity when using progressive web apps is lower.

Progressive web apps have native-like performance and appearance

What are the desirable features of a progressive app builder? Which tools do developers prefer for UI UX design, wireframe development and prototyping progressive web apps? Progressive web app builders may sound foreign. However, these builders use common languages like JavaScript, HTML and CSS to give web apps superior performance and similar user experiences across devices and platforms.

Why use a progressive web app builder

Progressive web app builders are revolutionizing customer interactions and service delivery by different businesses. Progressive web apps cater to the challenges associated with native apps and address the shortcomings of cross-platform app development strategies. The versatility of PWA builders means developers can build any app they conceive in their minds. Some notable features of apps developed with a progressive app builder are:

• Apps are faster and more secure. PWAs are delivered via HTTPS. It means companies can maximize data integrity irrespective of the number of devices using the app at any particular moment.
• Progressive web apps have native-like performances. Web apps compete favorably with native apps in terms of performance, user interfaces and experiences.
• Vital app performance features are cached for access in areas where internet connectivity is low or missing. The developer can prioritize caching of information like web app manifest, making it easy to download, present and display web apps across devices despite poor connectivity.
• Progressive web apps are responsive. They automatically detect screen sizes and adapt to optimal resolutions of the target devices.
• Progressive web app builder software allows developers to optimize app discoverability on different search engines. Developers can index mobile web apps, making it easier for customers to find them using any search engine. 

How difficult is it to build a progressive web app?

What comes to mind if someone asks you to create a progressive web app? Several things will rush through your mind. What strategy will you use? How do you build and test app prototypes? Any developer with a knack for software and innovative products can navigate progressive web app development easily. Developers can choose from a wide range of PWA builders. There has been a recent increase in the number of no-code PWA builders. It means web app development is no longer a preserve of the experts in software development. Anyone with a background in product development can leverage these tools to create a life-changing solution. 

Developers can build web apps using different development tools

Progressive web app builders have several tools to streamline the development process. You can incorporate as many features as possible depending on what business goals you plan to achieve. Developers use web app builder tools to add graphics, integrate push notification services and initiate automatic web app updates. 

Steps for building progressive web apps

Building progressive web apps borrow from standard software development strategies. The typical development process follows the following stages.

• Identify a viable idea – scan your target market for a problem that can generate revenue if a solution is developed.
• Identify a practical concept, cost-effective concept
• Develop a wireframe design and prototype the product
• Incorporate critical features and customize their delivery on native devices
• Test and improve the progressive web app
• Deploy and maintain the web app

The best progressive web app builder

Every developer has preferred tools for building digital products, with several app builders existing in the software development space. Each progressive web app builder offers specific advantages. 

Some web app builders use a subscription-based model, while others are free to use. Developers choose a progressive web app builder depending on its user-friendliness, flexibility and affordability. Here are some of the best PWA builders developers can leverage to achieve their development goals.

AngularJS

AngularJS is among the most popular progressive web app builders. AngularJS uses JSON for data interchange, and developers leverage the builder for progressive web app manifests. Developers using this builder should be familiar with the JavaScript programming language. Being the most popular PWA builder, it receives massive support from different developers. This makes it one of the feature-rich builders with multiple capabilities and functionalities that facilitate seamless product development. New developers can receive sufficient learning resources and advice from experienced developers from the online AngularJS community. With multiple functionalities, developers can skip some coding activities. You do not have to build a progressive web app from scratch.

Polymer

It is another popular progressive web app builder. Polymer is a product of Google and has proven beneficial for building progressive web apps. The builder uses JavaScript as the base programming language. Polymer is a lightweight builder with a rich collection of web app development libraries. New developers can adopt these templates and tweak code sections to achieve desired app development goals. Polymer developers leverage robust documentation provided by a community of developers and Google engineers. It has several development tools facilitating code reusability and data syncing. Additionally, the progressive web app builder has APIs for developers to customize and optimize web apps. 

PWA Builder

PWA builder is another popular option for developers to create progressive web apps, and it receives support from Microsoft developers. The journey to building a progressive web app begins by typing the existing website URL into the builder’s input string. The builder leverages advanced inbuilt tools to evaluate the features of the website. The builder detects if the target website can support progressive web app features. It advises the developer on the vital steps they can follow to convert the website into a progressive web app. 

Magneto PWA Studio

This progressive web app builder uses multiple tools and advanced libraries to create web apps associated with specific Magneto websites. The PWA builder relies on extensive libraries to facilitate web app scalability.

Low-code progressive web app builders

 Building progressive web apps is no longer a preserve of Silicon Valley engineers. Several green developers are competing with renowned developers working for big tech corporations. Access to a low or no-code progressive web app builder encourages enthusiastic developers to kickstart their careers in software development. The low-code progressive web app builder relies on user-friendly drag-and-drop menus and requires little to no coding language. 

Low and no-code tools can deliver fully functional progressive web apps

Developers do not require extensive knowledge of complex programming languages like JavaScript. Although apps built using low-code web app builders may be lacking in performance, they are essential for building functional digital products. Some low or no-code progressive app builders include:

BuildFire

Developers using this progressive web app builder leverage inbuilt plugins to define different functionalities of the web app. Developers can build a wide variety of customized web apps. You can develop a robust web app without writing a single line of code. BuildFire’s SDK facilitates faster prototyping for quicker delivery of innovative digital products.

Zoho Creator

Zoho is a low-code progressive web app builder. It uses a drag-and-drop interface and enables developers to build customized web apps required to streamline custom business operations. 

Developers using this builder can monitor app usage and productivity across devices. The builder has advanced code editors and several templates to keep the development process simple. Web apps built using Zoho have remarkable security standards. 

Adalo

Adalo is a no-code web app builder that developers use for Android apps, iOS app development and progressive web apps. It uses drag-and-drop components and facilitates API integration. Developers can connect several web apps sharing a similar database. 

Developers may be required to pay a monthly or annual fee to access low or no-code PWA builders. 

Final Thoughts

Developers must continuously find innovative solutions to address modern software development challenges. A progressive web app builder helps you create attractive digital products to reach the widest target markets. Developers should leverage the right software development tools, programming practices and appropriate development tools to ensure their products are relevant and competitive. Building a progressive web app should not be a tough task. Identify a viable idea, leverage readily available tools and test the product early and frequently. Establish measures to continuously enrich the features of the progressive app for truly remarkable user experiences. Choose a builder that is easy to use and learn how to leverage the platform’s features and tools to expedite progressive web app development.