PWA Stack

PWA Stack

There are three main technical requirements in a PWA stack: service workers, the app shell, and web app manifest. All of these elements, in addition to the different PWA languages, components and tools are layered together to make up the PWA technology stack. When thinking about how you are going to acquire all of the PWA technology components, you might consider a full stack developer or an app builder. A full-stack PWA developer refers to someone who works on both the front end and back end of the app. On the other hand, you can use a PWA builder which is a platform that already has the technical requirements ready to go for you.

One of the most important technical requirements of a PWA is a service worker. Service workers are basically what makes a PWA a PWA. They are constantly working in the background to cache data and remember it for the next the app is used. These are what makes it possible for the app to be saved to the home screen and run offline. 

PWA Library

A PWA library is a place where common app elements are stored. Using a PWA library will reduce friction throughout the app building process because you can easily access the elements needed to build your app. One example of a PWA library is Workbox. Workbox PWA is a set of libraries that cache and sync files to improve performance. Workbox is powered through Google, and available for anyone to use, but it does require some coding knowledge. 

Lumavate also has a library that stores app elements that you can easily access during the app building process, however, the Lumavate Library doesn’t require any coding. Instead, you can drag and drop components and features into your app from the Lumavate Library. With this you can also make changes in real-time and push out updates to your users whenever you need to. 

Ionic Framework

A Progressive Web App framework is the tools and code you will use to build a PWA. There are a variety of PWA frameworks out there, one of the most popular being Ionic Framework. Ionic Framework is an open-source framework that supports both iOS and Android operating systems. This means that anyone can access the source code for the PWA framework, and PWA architects can also improve and modify the code to make it better. Some other progressive app frameworks include the PWA Framework React, Angular, Vue, and more. When thinking about what the best PWA framework for you is, you should look at the code language, what operating systems are supported by the framework, and where they come from. For example, Vue was created by one single person while React is powered by Facebook and Google and has an extensive javascript library. With Lumavate’s platform, the PWA framework is built into the platform, therefore, users do not need to worry about it. When deciding what framework will work best for you, we would recommend looking at the best PWA framework 2019, PWA framework 2018, and PWA framework 2020 to see what has worked well for others in the past. 

PWA Builder

There are multiple ways someone can go about building a PWA. You can choose to code your entire app yourself, outsource the project to a software developer, or use a Progressive Web App Builder. Using a PWA Builder is the best option for marketers to create PWAs because they don’t have to know how to code to use one, and it is a lot cheaper than outsourcing or hiring a developer. When it comes to assessing the best Progressive Web App builder options, you will want to consider what the goals of your app are, the timeline, budget, and how much experience you have building apps. If you have some background in app development you might decide to go with a more technical tool like Bento Starter GitHub or Google’s PWA tools. However, if you have never built an app before and have no coding experience you will definitely want to use a no code app builder. 

Lumavate is one example of a no code app builder. With Lumavate’s platform, you can build your entire app, start to finish, without writing a single line of code. Instead, you can drag and drop elements onto the app screen and see your changes in real-time. Lumavate’s platform also allows you to continuously be improving your app even after you hit publish with the option to push out updates to your users at any time. Lumavate even helps you get started by offering a variety of Starter Kits that you can copy directly into your app and then edit them from there. If you are ready to get started building, you can try out Lumavate’s platform for free. 

PWA Checklist

Before you get started on your PWA project, creating a PWA checklist is a great way to make sure you are hitting all the important elements in a PWA. To do this you can use the Google PWA List, or you can create a list more custom to your project by doing research on PWA requirements (like service workers, the app shell, web app manifest, etc.) PWA features, and PWA essentials. Creating your own list might take a little bit more time than using Google’s PWA Checklist, but it will be more tailored to your specific PWA and will go beyond just the technical requirements that are needed. To understand what features PWAs are capable of, we would recommend looking at a PWA features list, as well as, PWA Features 2019 and 2020. Looking at the features year by year will help you better understand what updates PWAs have recently undergone. Once you have put your checklist together, you can start looking at what PWA development tools will help you achieve each part of your checklist. You will also want to consider the timeline and budget for each element. 

PWA Tutorial

The process for building a Progressive Web App will vary depending on what PWA tools you decide to use. However, if you are using a no code app builder with a built-in Framework like Luamvate, you can just get started designing your app layout and pages. You don’t have to worry about setting up all of the technical requirements. 

While using a no code PWA platform makes building a PWA relatively easy, it is still a good idea to go through a PWA tutorial to learn more about the building process. There are many PWA tutorials out there, including PWA Tutorial PDGs, PWA tutorial point, PWA tests, PWA implementation tutorials and PWA frontend tutorials. 

Another good option for learning more about PWA development is using an app builder that offers PWA support. This could be in the form of offering a PWA template to help you get started building or giving PWA recommendations and suggestions to help you build a better app. Lumavate offers Starter Kits for individuals who have specific use cases in mind, and they also offer design recommendations to help users optimize their in-app user experience. Taking advantage of these resources will help you take your PWA from good to great.