5 Ways PWAs Can Improve Customer Retention and Conversion
When competitors feel like they’re just one click behind them, businesses cannot afford to have slow websites or complicated buying processes that drive customers away. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer a solution that combines the convenience of an app with the accessibility of a website, all without the high costs of app development and maintenance. Major companies such as Starbucks and Lyft have adopted PWAs to improve customer retention, increase conversions, and streamline their operations.
What Are PWAs and Why Are They Growing in Popularity?
A Progressive Web App (PWA) is essentially a website that behaves like an app. It offers fast load times, offline functionality, and push notifications, all accessible through a browser. Unlike native apps, PWAs do not require users to download anything from an app store, making them far more accessible. They are also easier for businesses to maintain. As more companies realise the potential of PWAs to reduce costs and boost performance, their use is steadily growing.
1. Streamlined Business Operations
For businesses with remote teams or employees spread across different locations, relying on multiple tools for communication and project management can slow down productivity. PWAs simplify this by bringing these functions together on one platform that works online or offline, which helps to avoid unnecessary delays. This ensures that employees, even in areas with poor connectivity, can keep projects moving forward. For example, Cummins Diesel, a leading engineering company, uses a PWA to manage its field operations. Employees can log updates from a single platform, meaning they have more time to do their jobs than to communicate their progress. This results in smoother operations, with fewer tools needed just to keep everyone on the same page over routine tasks.
2. Faster Access to Sales Demos
In B2B sales, the requirement for prospects to download demo apps or set up technical environments can significantly slow down the sales process and may lead to a loss of interest. PWAs eliminate these hurdles by allowing instant access to product demos directly in the browser. This enables faster engagement and shorter sales cycles since demos can be accessed anywhere, at any time. By removing the friction of downloads and installations, prospects can immediately engage with your products at their own convenience, making the sales process feel more personalised and less time-consuming.
3. Enhanced Ecommerce Retention
Speed and a simple shopping cart are key factors in e-commerce success. Customers often abandon their shopping carts because websites are too slow, or they are required to download an app for a single purchase. PWAs help to combat this by offering fast load times, offline access, and push notification reminders for abandoned carts. This ultimately reduces cart abandonment and increases conversions. Starbucks, for instance, saw a significant increase in daily active users after launching its PWA, making it more convenient for customers to place orders from either their mobile devices or desktop computers.
4. Real-Time Data Access for Better Decision-Making
We are living in an era where having access to real-time data is essential for effective decision-making. However, when data access relies on a stable internet connection or specific devices, it can disrupt workflows and delay important decisions. PWAs resolve this issue by allowing real-time data access across any device. This ensures that decision-making is not derailed, even when employees are in different locations or working under challenging conditions. Such flexibility is crucial for high-stake teams that can’t afford delays.
5. Improved Customer Support
Customers expect quick and reliable support whenever they need it as everything is in the palm of their hands on mobile. However, when customer service platforms cannot implement updates seamlessly across all devices like tablets or desktops, this doesn’t give a good look to your customer service system. PWAs improve customer support by offering features such as live chat and troubleshooting guides directly in the browser, without requiring customers to download an app. Companies like Lyft have adopted PWAs to enhance their customer support experiences, making sure users can access help quickly and across multiple devices, improving the overall user experience with your brand.
Keep Everyone Connected – Including Your Customers
PWAs are not just a technical upgrade; they are a powerful tool for increasing customer retention, boosting conversions, and improving business process management operations. When businesses can keep both their teams and their customers connected seamlessly, they create a more efficient and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. If you are finding yourself spending too much time updating your team on daily tasks, answering routine customer queries, or struggling to set up product demos, it may be time to explore the potential of Progressive Web Apps for your organisation. Call us for a demo today.
