Why Milestone Websites Use Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

Aligning with Google & industry best practices around developing a mobile-first digital strategy, speed and responsiveness are at the top of every digital marketer’s mind. And, it’s a cross-device world. Of all travel searches conducted now, 52% of searches start on mobile devices and roughly 71% of all sales are on desktop devices.  

Finding and re-engaging with customers throughout their buying journey has never been more difficult. And the pandemic has increased mobile usage significantly. At least 40% of users surveyed by Twigby in May 2020 are using their devices more than before.

PWAs provide a solution for re-engaging consumers both on mobile and desktop, in real-time, and fast!

What is a progressive web app?

Progressive Web Apps, or Web Apps if you are an iOS user, are a great way to reach your customers – after they’ve left your site. The PWA allows customers to cache, or save, a native web experience to their mobile device. Progressive web apps bypass the Android and App Stores and the scrutiny that comes with getting an app approved. And, unlike traditional apps you will find in the app stores, the engagement signals related to PWA send improved signals to Google’s algorithm which can improve your SEO value.

With PWAs businesses can continue to focus on their SEO strategies and not worry about creating a new App Store Optimization (ASO) strategy too. Unlike native apps, PWAs use the same URLs that are indexed in Google, meaning engagement signals from your PWA users enjoying their fast, seamless experience will positively impact the EAT signals that Google values for organic results. 

But most importantly, yes even more important than SEO, customers who have installed the web app to their device have given a clear consent to the business that they are interested in marketing-based communication. Of course, there is always the potential for the user to opt-out, so it is important that businesses develop a strategy that incorporates these messages into their larger marketing plans.

But, with PWAs businesses now have a method to reach their customers with incentivizing messages that stand out from the overcrowded email inbox – without the heavy cost associated with developing a native app. Smartly using push and SMS notifications from a PWA gets your message front & center to your user.

For hotels and restaurants, notifications are a great way to promote your current hotel promotion, restaurant specials, on-property events, construction alerts, or reservation information. Milestone customers used their PWAs to notify their guests of upcoming dining and hotel specials relevant to the long weekend. With just a few steps these hotels were able to reach over 2,000 of their customers with a relevant message just in time for the holiday weekend.

To learn more about Milestone PWA, contact us at sales@milestoneinternet.com or call us at (408) 200-2211.