Flexibility has become more important as a result of the rapid rate of technological advancement. Remaining technologically stale entails falling behind on all new developments and seeming to be an outsider in talks with more up-to-date people. Just like individuals, companies will find it extremely difficult to keep up with others if they neglect to adapt to the latest technological innovations.

The growth and development of the e-commerce industry heavily rely on technological advancements, thus thriving in this field makes it a necessity to stay on top of the latest innovations and integrate them into your business. The introduction of a new product or service involves a complete rethinking of corporate strategies and sales tactics. This can be best seen in the growth of mobile technology that caused the advancement and transformation of e-commerce.

The Mobile-First E-Commerce Strategy: Rise and Harbingers of Decline

E-commerce businesses started using different strategies to attract and keep customers at the start of the internet boom. Companies identified their future success on effective advertising that took the use of email and social media in the later years. With Web.2.0 came creative content layout that entailed companies expecting a gradual but steady increase in their client base without the use of paid marketing tactics. 

With the introduction of smartphones, the web-first strategy came to an end, slowly giving way to the mobile-first advertising strategy. Shopping on your mobile became the new norm as we always have them. Even given the pervasiveness of smartphones and their ever-increasing complexity, companies are willing to pay extra to allow consumers to enjoy their products through e-commerce.

The transition from the website to mobile necessitated a shift in marketing tactics. Users must be able to install the application from a landing page provided by businesses. Sponsored commercials, email alerts, push notifications, and other methods were used to help merchants identify and keep their target market. It's important to mention that the mobile-first strategy is also a content-first strategy, which means it's user-centric oriented through and through. 

PWAs: Making up for the Drawbacks of Native Apps

An important part that needs to be addressed is the fact that native apps have limitations. To begin with, they are created with the operating system of the device. You must decide if your application is aimed at Android or iOS consumers. If you determine you require an app for both Android and iOS, you'll have to design two separate apps instead of one, and that will double your expenses. 

Furthermore, the lengthy process that customers must go through to begin using the application deters them from utilizing it on a regular basis. All of the stages to achieve that are also both budget and time-consuming. All of this causes a big portion of native applications to remain untouched by users even after they have been downloaded. And if the app is uninstalled, chances are it will never be downloaded again. 

Moreover, native apps are practically overlooked by search engines and can only be discovered via app stores. There are of course several methods of getting the native app visible in search results but it entails lots of extra resources and specialized knowledge. 

When PWAs (progressive web apps) first arrived on the scene, the problem of having native applications that lasks all the benefits high user traffic provides was a thing of the past. PWAs have the same user interface as a regular native app would but don't require setup, and can be quickly added to the device's home screen. PWA may be accessible from any smartphone with a connection to the internet, regardless of the device's operating system. Finally, they are inexpensive to construct, light in weight, and SEO-friendly.

Many businesses have chosen the PWA first method that has a good possibility of displacing or at least matching the more established mobile-first approach. Because the app's content is accessible primarily through search queries, search engine engagement is critical to the app's success. The performance of your app isn't affected by distinctive native app capabilities. 

If you are running a startup with limited resources that needs a quick start, PWA is the first option. If you're a well-established company with a huge customer base, PWA is always a smart move for future growth.

The simplest approach to obtaining a PWA is to convert an actual website into one. HTTPS, a web app manifest, and service staff are all required for a website. Many frameworks include software packages that aid in the development of PWAs.

E-commerce PWA First for Magento

Magento embraced the PWA trend by creating the Magento PWA Studio. This toolset contains a set of UI components that creators can broaden while editing the storefront, a shared server that can be used to modernize and enable storefront advancement, and a unified progressive web app response definition that characterizes how a web server delivers and supports a PWA. 

Magento PWA Studio includes a simple installation approach for creating e-commerce PWAs and configuring your environment for PWA generation. GraphQL eliminates explicit data over fetching and allows numerous customers to be managed from various sources using a single back-end. If you require assistance, a global online community of developers can assist you. 

Unfortunately, Magento PWAs do not operate offline on iOS devices. They don't allow you to send push alerts. Users may encounter issues with passwords that do not fulfill strict criteria while setting up a new account because they haven't been informed of them causing a low user retention rate. 

E-Commerce PWA First for Shopware

Shopware has readily adaptable architecture and scalability options. Users are not required to understand naming conventions, organize, or tamper with the back-end technology. To transport data between the PWA and the Shopware CMS, the Shopware platform does not require any gateway. Any modifications you make to your e-commerce site are instantly reflected in the PWA. 

Before you start developing your PWA, you must choose the correct architecture. Even more crucial is the selection of the correct developer to carry out the concept. The finished product won't break the bank, but it will wow you with its stunning appearance and solid performance, propelling your company to the next level.

Conclusion

The fluid nature of modern e-commerce offers companies with new obstacles. The good news is that technological advancements can also solve those challenges. The prospects that have opened up as a result of cutting-edge IT innovations allow us to avoid obstacles and navigate your company to success. PWA is one of these innovations that enables e-commerce businesses to give their consumers a native-like app and enjoy the benefits it brings.