Apps are nothing new. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last decade or more, you have a smartphone, or at least know what one is. And smartphones are “smart” mostly because of apps.
The most common type of app comes from what is known as an “app store”. These store’s are more or less a marketplace where app developers are able to list their app for users searching for a specific function. For the end user, this is a simple way to find apps they can use for entertainment or productivity. But for the app developer, this is a time consuming, costly, and complex process.
First, let’s talk costs. The app store’s themselves charge nominal fees, but app development can range into the tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity of the app, and how difficult it is to build and/or run. And don’t forget the constant need for updates, to ensure the app stays compatible with the store and associated devices.
What if you mostly just want to share information? Is it really worth spending all that money to have a customized app developed? Or is there a better way?
Welcome to the world of PWA’s, or “Progressive Web Apps”.
A PWA is kind of a hybrid between a website and a mobile app. You open it on your smartphone via a web link, but it looks and acts very similar to a traditional mobile app, including the ability to add an icon to your phone.
Another benefit is the cost. It’s generally going to be significantly cheaper to develop and maintain than a traditional mobile app, which makes it the perfect solution for a business card.
We call them “Mobile Business Cards”, but it’s essentially a digital business card app that you can easily be shared with your clients, giving them easy access to all of your contact information.