Part 3. Engaging web apps

As many failed startups will testify, having a great web app just isn’t enough these days. Our users expect great software that’s easily accessible. The unfortunate truth is that if your software isn’t meeting their increased expectations, they’ll seek out other options. Although it’s important to build websites that are fast, it’s even more important to build websites that engage your users and keep them coming back for more. This part of this book focuses on just that: building engaging Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) using the features that are already built into your browser.

In chapter 5, we’ll explore a few different ways to enhance the look and feel of your PWA, including the Add to Homescreen functionality and customization. This chapter looks at the web manifest file and the role it plays in PWAs. You’ll also learn about customizing your web apps icons, the splash screen, and the different launch styles available.

Chapter 6 focuses on one of my favorite features: web push notifications. You’ll discover why push notifications can increase engagement with your users and learn how to apply them to your own web app. We’ll build a working example that sends push notifications using the sample application Progressive Times. Finally, you’ll learn about the different types of push notifications and how you can build interactivity into them.