Progressive web app (PWA) development for ecommerce
An installable, app-like version of your store that runs in the browser, works on poor connections and needs no app store.
A progressive web app is a website that can be installed on the home screen, opens full screen like an app, keeps working on a weak connection and can send push notifications. There is no app store review, and one codebase serves every phone and desktop browser.
A PWA is a strong first step for stores that want an app experience without the cost of two native builds, and a good companion to a native app for shoppers who will never download one. Support for some features, such as web push on iPhone, depends on the OS version and on the visitor adding the site to their home screen. We design around those limits instead of hiding them.
Who this is for
Stores that want an installable experience quickly, stores with a large share of first-time mobile visitors, and teams that want to test demand before building native apps.
What you get
- A web app manifest and install prompt
- A service worker for caching and offline browsing of visited pages
- Fast product browsing and app-style navigation
- Web push notifications where the browser supports them
- Add-to-home-screen guidance for iPhone visitors
- Performance work on mobile page speed
How it works
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1
Audit the current mobile site
We check how your store behaves on phones today: speed, navigation, checkout and where visitors leave.
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2
Plan the app shell
We decide what loads instantly, what is cached for offline use and what always needs the network, such as stock and cart totals.
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3
Build and test
We build the PWA layer on your storefront or as a headless front end, and test install and offline behavior on real devices.
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4
Launch and measure
We track installs, return visits and orders from the installed version so you can see whether it earns its keep.
What we need from you
- Access to your storefront code or theme
- HTTPS on your whole site
- Analytics access so we can measure installs and orders
What we do not do
- Promise the same features as a native app on every device
- Cache prices or stock in a way that shows customers wrong information
- Leave iPhone visitors without install instructions
Progressive web apps (PWA) questions
Neither is better for every store. A PWA is cheaper to run and reaches everyone with a browser. A native app has deeper access to the phone and a presence in the app stores. Many stores start with a PWA and add native apps once the numbers justify them.
On Android they work in most browsers. On iPhone, web push works for sites the visitor has added to their home screen, on supported iOS versions. We design the prompts and fallbacks around that.
A PWA can be packaged for Google Play. Apple has stricter rules about apps that are only a website, so for the App Store we recommend a real app with native features.
More answers are in the full FAQ.
Want this for your store?
Tell us about your store and we will say whether this service fits and what it would involve.
Plan Your App