Progressive Web Apps
Web Reach. Native Feel.
What We Do
Native apps cost more to build, more to maintain, and require users to visit an app store before they can try your product. Progressive Web Apps remove every one of those barriers. A PWA is a web application that behaves like a native app: it installs from the browser to the home screen, works offline, sends push notifications, and responds instantly. The same codebase works on iOS, Android, and desktop. No separate builds. No app store approval delays.
No 30 percent platform tax on in-app purchases. For many businesses, a well-built PWA is the better product decision. The reach of the web with the experience of a native app. We build PWAs using service workers, Web App Manifests, and modern caching strategies that handle offline scenarios intelligently. Your users get the data they need even when the connection drops, and sync automatically when it returns.
How We Work
PWA development begins with the same product definition phase as any application. We identify the user journeys that must work offline and those that require live data. This determines the caching strategy: what we pre-cache at install, what we cache on demand, and what we always fetch fresh. Service worker architecture is designed before implementation begins. We write workers for offline fallback pages, background sync, and push notification handling.
Testing offline behavior requires specific tooling, and we use Chrome DevTools and real device testing to verify every scenario. Home screen installation prompts, splash screens, and icon sets are configured for both iOS and Android. For push notifications, we set up VAPID-based push infrastructure with opt-in flows that comply with browser permission standards. Performance is measured against Lighthouse scores throughout development. A real PWA scores well above 90 in performance, accessibility, and best practices before it ships.
Why Running Start Digital
Frequently Asked Questions
PWAs are web apps with native capabilities. They don't require app store distribution, work on any device with a browser, and cost significantly less to build and maintain.
Yes. With proper service worker implementation, PWAs cache essential resources and data so they function without an internet connection.
Yes. PWAs support push notifications on Android and desktop. iOS support has improved significantly and continues to expand.
Excellent. PWAs are indexed by search engines just like regular websites. Combined with fast load times and server-side rendering, they rank well.
PWAs typically cost 40 to 60 percent less than building separate iOS and Android native apps. You get one codebase, one deployment process, and one team handling updates.
Often yes. We audit the existing site for service worker compatibility, HTTPS status, and performance baseline. If the foundation is solid, we add PWA capabilities without a full rebuild.
Retail, field services, logistics, media, education, and any business where users need access to information or tools in low-connectivity environments. If your users are mobile and not always online, a PWA is worth serious consideration.