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12 Tips to Improve your PWA UX/UI

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are gaining popularity because they offer an app-like experience in the browser. Their cross-browser compatibility reduces the development efforts and costs for developers. Using this technology, you can create an offline web app that is still as efficient as a native app that works online.

🔥 Progressive web applications are fast, reliable, and engaging for users. However, it is not sufficient to attract new customers. Every website should look and behave like a native app. Here are 12 tips to improve your PWA UX.

12 Tips to Improve your PWA UX/UI

  • Keep It Simple:

    Mobile devices take less processing power than computer devices. Smartphones have smaller screens in sizes than desktops. Also, native apps use less content to display than mobile web pages. So, progressive web apps should not have an intricate layout and complex designs. You may have heard a popular quote, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

    So, try to control your enthusiasm while creating progressive web apps. Users only want a responsive and functional app. Using fancy artwork can distract your users or lead to lower engagements. Web apps are created to serve, not impress.

  • Easy Navigation:

    A PWA offers a native app feeling with a better user experience and works like responsive websites. You can use an easy-to-navigate feature in your progressive app to enhance the user experience.

    Add one smooth navigation bar, preferably a small one that doesn’t take much screen space. Also, you can add a navigation element at the bottom of the screen.

  • Use Simple Fonts

    You may think fancy fonts attract users and engage them more. But, it lowers the performance of your PWA website. The download size of your first page increases when you use heavy and custom fonts.

    Users don’t enjoy browsing slow progressive web apps. It also creates additional visual distractions.​ So, try to use default or simple font fancy fonts.

  • Avoid the Footer

    What is the role of the Footer? It carries the information, including copyright notice, terms and conditions of use, links to social media accounts, and a newsletter sign-up. It consumes too much space and also lowers the performance of web apps on mobile devices.

    You may have noticed that there is no footer in native apps.Therefore, try to reduce the size of the footer by adding a navigation bar and a few navigation items. Take inspiration from the best PWA example – Aliexpress.

  • Don’t follow web design standards

    Forget all the traditional website designs and layouts and start with a scratch. For creating an impressive PWA design, go for a minimalist design to keep the minimum elements on the web pages and ignore all the meta information in the about section. Use links and buttons sparingly to include more dynamic actions like tapping and swiping.

  • Cross-browser functionality

    One of the biggest advantages of PWA, it works well in all browsers. A user sees the updated web app whenever they access progressive applications.

    While designing a progressive web app, you must know each browser’s capabilities and compatibility with PWA features. Google Chrome and Firefox support all functions. Nevertheless, Safari does not support a few key PWA features, such as push messages.

  • Create UX with Offline Mode

    Try to build PWA apps with offline functionality and caching option. It enhances the power of web apps by designing them with offline accessibility. It lets users browse, shop, and access under poor or no internet connection.

  • Attractive Home Screen Logo

    ‘Add to Home Screen” features make PWA apps more accessible. Users add your PWA to their home screen where it will be with other apps. Therefore, it is necessary to create a stunning and catching icon. It helps to stand out on the home screen.

    Learn the guidelines to build a simple and distinctive icon through the guide presented by Sophie Brooke.

  • Careful with Pust Notifications

    To keep your customers up-to-date, push notifications are the best method to share the latest content and features. But, sending more and more push messages irritate the users. Here are a few ways to use push notifications sensibly:

    • Don’t send push notifications as soon as users start using your PWA. As a visitor approaches the middle of your PWA, ask for permission. In this way, you appear less intrusive.
    • Your notifications should be concise. The message should have between 35 and 42 to convince your audience.
    • As much as possible, personalize your push notification to improve the Click Through Rate (CTR).
  • Use Google Lighthouse

    Lighthouse is a PWA audit tool introduced by Google. It can optimize a PWA by suggesting issues to get fixed.

    Google Lighthouse for PWA can provide the score of your PWA website based on performance, accessibility, progressive web apps, and more. You will get a detailed list of all issues with suggestions to fix them.

  • Enhance Web Performance

    Developers can improve the PWA performance by using the PRPL principle. What does PRPL stand for?

    • P stands for Push: It means preloading the resources quickly. It sends a fetch request from the browser to load the prioritized resources.
    • R stands for Render: It improves the First Paint on the screen. First Paint means displaying the first meaningful content to the user.
    • P for pre-cache: The server should load as many of your requested assets as possible before the session starts.
    • Lazy Load: Delays the loading of resources until the user requests them. For example, if your web page has an image that can only be viewed when a user scrolls down, you can wait until the very last moment to load that image.
  • Add Custom Splash Screens

    Boot Screen or splash screen display 2-3 seconds before web applications load. It gives a similar native app look to your PWA UX. This launch screen will display the company’s logo, name, or motto to enhance brand visibility.

    You can strengthen your brand with a remarkable splash screen design by following these rules:

    • Customize the image size to fit all types of screens.
    • Keep users informed of any changes to the web app.
    • Choose the right color gradient and add some creative elements to create a stunning splash screen.

End Notes

All these 12 hacks will help you improve your PWA UX. It will take less time to optimize to attract mobile users. Optimizing progressive apps will help you stay ahead of the competition. You can also check the following article to learn how to make your PWA SEO-friendly.

Please Contact us for more discussion.

Any Atkinson

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