What a progressive web app is#
A progressive web app is a website that can be used a little like a phone app. It is still a web page at its core, so there is nothing to download from an app store. A visitor opens it in a normal browser, and the site can then be added to the phone's home screen as an icon.
The approach is built so that the site works in any browser and gains extra features where a phone supports them. A plain page works everywhere. A page built this way can do more on phones that support the newer features. The shop does not need to build two separate products to reach both kinds of device.
Working without a connection#
Once a visitor has opened the site, a progressive web app can keep parts of it stored on the phone. This means the pages can still open when the signal is weak, or when a visitor is in a basement or on a crowded train. The stored parts are updated the next time the phone is online.
This is a simple, practical benefit. A visitor who has used the site once can open the stored parts again without a connection. The exact parts that are stored depend on how the site was built, so an owner should ask the builder what is kept on the device.
What a regular visitor gets#
For someone who visits a site often, the main gain is convenience. The icon sits on the home screen next to other apps, so the visitor does not need to remember a web address or search for the site again. Opening it from the home screen gives a feel closer to an app than to a saved bookmark.
The visitor also keeps control. Nothing is installed from a store, and the site can be removed from the home screen like any other icon. The site remains a website, so it can still be opened in a browser on other devices, not only on the phone where it was added.
Points for an owner to check#
Before deciding whether a progressive web app suits a shop, an owner should ask a few plain questions. Does the site load quickly on an ordinary mobile connection? Does it still show its main pages when offline? Can a visitor add it to the home screen without difficulty? A builder should be able to answer each one clearly.
Thai rules limit how cannabis may be advertised, so check your plans with a lawyer. These limits apply to what a site says and shows, not only to the way it is installed. This note explains the technology only and is not legal advice.