Technology

Progressive Web App Development
PWA app solutions for Australian businesses.

Offline-capable, installable web apps with push notifications and native-like performance. Field tools, customer portals, e-commerce frontends, and internal business apps. Service workers, Web APIs, PWA.

We also add PWA capabilities to existing websites and web applications.

Book a 20-min scoping call Need Offline Capability?

AU-built Australian owned and operated
Service Workers, Web APIs Stack we work with daily
Offline + Push Notifications New builds + modernisation
Fixed Price scopes, no surprises

What PWAs Are Good For

Web apps that install, work offline, and feel native

A Progressive Web App looks and feels like a native mobile app, but it is built with web technologies and delivered through a browser. Users can install it to their home screen, use it offline, and receive push notifications, without visiting an app store.

PWAs suit internal business tools (distribute via URL, no MDM), field data collection apps (offline support is critical), customer-facing portals (installable for quick access), and e-commerce storefronts (performance-focused, installable). The web platform now supports most features people associate with native apps.

PWAs are not the right choice when you need advanced native-only features (Bluetooth, NFC, complex background processing), when App Store discoverability is a core acquisition channel, or when you need the absolute highest graphics performance. For those cases, consider React Native or Flutter.

Progressive Web App on mobile with install prompt and offline capability indicator

Week 0

PWA Project Audit

15-minute scoping call. We map your current setup, the requirements you need to ship, and the constraints (timeline, integrations, hosting). Fixed-price quote inside 48 hours.
Weeks 1–N

Build & Iterate

Application built incrementally with weekly check-ins. Every feature, integration and validation tested before sign-off. Sandbox / staging environment for safe iteration.
Cutover

Go-Live & Handover

Production deployment on a planned window. Team training, monitoring active, 30 days post-launch support. Documentation and source code handed over in full.

What We Build

PWA development, by project type

Internal tools, customer portals, offline-first apps, native app replacements, and e-commerce storefronts. These are the project types where PWAs deliver the most value.

Internal Business PWAs

Web applications that install on phones and tablets like native apps: field data collection, inventory checking, task management, inspections, and digital forms. No app store submission, no installation friction, just a URL.

Progressive Web Apps use service workers for offline caching, push notifications for real-time alerts, and device APIs for camera, GPS, and barcode scanning. They load fast, work offline, and update automatically. No waiting for users to accept an update.

Customer-Facing PWAs

Fast, installable web experiences for customers: booking portals, self-service dashboards, loyalty programs, and content platforms. Users can install the PWA to their home screen for quick access, or just use it in the browser.

PWAs load in under two seconds on 3G connections because of aggressive caching strategies. The initial load pulls assets from the CDN, then the service worker caches them locally. Subsequent visits are nearly instant. This performance advantage directly impacts engagement and conversion.

Offline-First Web Applications

Web applications that work without internet connectivity. Service workers intercept network requests and serve cached content when offline. Data entered offline is stored locally and syncs when connectivity returns.

This pattern is critical for Australian businesses operating in regional areas. Field inspections in remote locations, delivery drivers in coverage gaps, construction site reporting, and agricultural data collection. The app works regardless of connectivity.

Native App Replacement with PWA

Some native apps do not need to be native. If your app is primarily content, forms, data display, and simple interactions, a PWA delivers 90% of the native experience at a fraction of the cost. One codebase, one team, all platforms.

We audit whether a PWA can replace the native app. Camera, GPS, push notifications, offline, biometric authentication. PWAs support these. Complex hardware access, background audio, Bluetooth, NFC: these still need native. We are honest about the boundaries.

PWA E-Commerce & Storefronts

E-commerce experiences built as Progressive Web Apps. Add-to-home-screen for repeat shoppers, push notifications for order updates and promotions, and offline browsing of the product catalogue.

PWA storefronts load dramatically faster than traditional e-commerce sites, especially on mobile. Google research shows every second of load time improvement increases conversion by 7-8%. For high-traffic stores, the performance advantage compounds.

Progressive Web App for business field tools with offline support and push notifications

Customer-facing Progressive Web App with fast loading and push notifications

Offline-first Progressive Web App with local storage and background sync for field work

PWA replacing native app with cross-platform compatibility and instant updates

Café chain direct ordering platform — Case Study

Case Study

Direct ordering platform saving $0 commission across 6 cafés

We built a commission-free ordering platform replacing third-party delivery apps. Customers order direct through the brand, with 40% higher margin per order.

Read the full case study

$0 Commission per order

6 Locations connected

40% Higher margin

Why PWA

Why Progressive Web Apps are the pragmatic mobile choice

No App Store Performance Cross-Platform Offline Capable

PWA distribution without app store barriers, deploy via URL with instant updates

No app store submission, review, or fees

PWAs are distributed via URL. No Apple Developer Program ($149/year), no Google Play Console ($25), no review process, no waiting for approval, no app store compliance rules. Deploy a new version and every user gets it immediately.

For business apps, this is the biggest advantage. Roll out to 500 employees by sending a link in Slack. Update the app and everyone gets the new version on their next visit. No corporate MDM required, no IT support tickets about app updates.

For consumer apps, the trade-off is discoverability. Users search app stores for native apps. They do not search for PWAs. If app store discoverability is critical to your acquisition strategy, you may need native. If users come via your website, social media, or direct links, a PWA works.

PWA performance with service worker caching and near-instant page loads

Instant loading with aggressive caching

Service workers cache HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and API responses locally. After the first visit, subsequent loads pull from the local cache, near-instant even on slow connections. The experience feels like a native app.

Pre-caching strategies load key pages before the user navigates to them. Network-first strategies for dynamic data, cache-first for static assets. The caching strategy is matched to your content type and update frequency.

Lighthouse performance scores of 90+ are the standard we build to. Lazy loading, code splitting, image optimisation, and efficient service worker strategies all contribute. Fast PWAs retain users better than slow native apps.

PWA running on phone, tablet, and desktop from a single codebase

One codebase for every device and platform

A single web application that works on iPhone, Android, iPad, Windows, Mac, and Linux. The same URL, the same code, the same features. No platform-specific builds, no separate iOS and Android teams.

Responsive design adapts the layout for phone, tablet, and desktop. PWA install prompts allow users to add the app to their home screen on mobile, or install it as a desktop app on Chrome and Edge.

The maintenance savings are real. One bug fix deploys to all platforms instantly. One feature request is implemented once. One test suite covers all platforms. For businesses watching costs, this efficiency is compelling.

PWA offline capability with service workers and local data storage

Works without internet connectivity

Service workers intercept network requests and serve cached responses when the device is offline. Users can browse content, fill in forms, and interact with the app without connectivity. Data syncs when the connection returns.

For Australian businesses, this is practical because large parts of the country have patchy mobile coverage. Field workers, delivery drivers, event staff, and remote site inspectors all benefit from offline-capable web apps.

Offline support ranges from simple (cached pages viewable offline) to complex (full CRUD operations with conflict resolution). We scope the offline requirements properly and build the appropriate level of offline capability.

Support & Enhancement

Already have a web app that needs PWA capabilities?

We add PWA features to existing sites, fix broken service workers, and take over PWA projects. Offline support, push notifications, and install prompts.

Service Worker Updates

Service worker caching issues, broken offline mode, or stale content. We debug and fix service worker lifecycle problems and caching strategies.

PWA Performance Tuning

Lighthouse audit, Core Web Vitals improvement, caching strategy optimisation, and load time reduction. We get your PWA scoring 90+ on performance.

PWA Takeover

Previous developer gone? We audit the codebase, fix service worker issues, and take over ongoing PWA development and maintenance.

Add PWA to Existing Site

Convert your existing website or web app into a PWA. Add service worker, manifest, install prompts, and offline support to your current codebase.

Push Notification Setup

Web push notifications for re-engagement. Firebase Cloud Messaging integration, subscription management, and notification strategy.

Ongoing PWA Support

Monthly support for feature development, service worker maintenance, browser compatibility, and performance monitoring. Keep your PWA fast and reliable.

Who It's For

Common PWA development scenarios

If one of these sounds like your situation, a PWA is worth exploring.

Field Data Collection

Inspections, audits, site reports, and digital forms that work offline. Sync when connectivity returns. Perfect for Australian regional and remote work.

Internal Company App

Portal, dashboard, or tool for employees. Deployed via URL, no app store. Works across phones, tablets, and desktops with a single codebase.

Booking or Self-Service Portal

Customer-facing booking, ordering, or self-service portal. Install to home screen, push notifications for confirmations, fast repeat access.

E-Commerce Storefront

Fast, installable storefront as a headless frontend for Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom API. Dramatically better performance than traditional e-commerce.

Replace a Simple Native App

Low-complexity native app rebuilt as a PWA. Lower cost, instant updates, no app store. Suits apps that are primarily content, forms, and simple interactions.

Event or Conference App

Schedule, maps, speaker info, and notifications for events. PWA installs from a QR code. No download required. Works offline during the event.

Migration & Enhancement

Common paths to Progressive Web Apps

Adding PWA features to an existing site or replacing a legacy approach entirely? These are the migration paths we handle most.

Website → PWA

Add Progressive Web App capabilities to your existing website. Service worker for caching and offline, web manifest for install prompts, and push notifications for re-engagement. No rebuild required. PWA features layer on top of your existing site.

Cordova / Ionic → PWA

Hybrid web-view apps replaced with modern PWAs. The browser platform has caught up. Service workers, push notifications, and device APIs now handle what Cordova plugins used to. Simpler architecture, better performance.

Native App → PWA

Simple native apps rebuilt as PWAs for lower cost and easier maintenance. Suits apps where native device features beyond what the web supports are not required. We assess feasibility before committing.

SPA → Offline-Capable PWA

Existing React, Angular, or Vue single-page applications enhanced with service workers and offline support. The SPA architecture is already there. We add the progressive enhancement layer.

Legacy PWA → Modern PWA

Older PWAs updated with modern service worker patterns (Workbox), updated caching strategies, Web Push API improvements, and the latest browser capability APIs. Fix stale cache issues and broken offline behaviour.

Desktop App → Web PWA

Windows desktop application rebuilt as an installable PWA. Users install via Chrome or Edge. No .exe distribution, no installation wizards, instant updates. Works for internal tools and line-of-business apps.

Technical Fit

Common PWA stack combinations

PWAs are a capability layer on top of your web framework. These are the technologies we commonly pair with PWA development.

PWA + React

React SPA with service worker layer. Create React App had built-in PWA support. Vite and Next.js support PWA plugins. The most common PWA frontend framework.

PWA + Workbox

Google's Workbox library for service worker management. Pre-caching, runtime caching, background sync, and offline fallback. The standard tooling for PWA service workers.

PWA + IndexedDB

Client-side database for offline data storage. Forms, records, and application state stored locally and synced when online. Essential for offline-first PWAs.

PWA + Firebase

Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications. Firestore for real-time database with offline persistence. Firebase Hosting with CDN. A popular backend for PWAs.

PWA + Node.js

Node.js API backend for the PWA. REST or GraphQL endpoints, authentication, and real-time websocket connections. Lightweight and efficient.

PWA + AWS

PWA hosted on CloudFront CDN. Lambda API endpoints, S3 for static assets, and SNS for push notifications. Scalable and cost-effective cloud backend.

Our field technicians were using paper forms. HELLO PEOPLE built a PWA that works offline in rural areas, captures photos, gets GPS coordinates, and syncs when they are back in coverage. The techs love it because it installs from a link. No app store, no passwords, no IT tickets.

Operations Manager Utilities company, Perth

FAQs

Common questions about Progressive Web App development

What is a Progressive Web App?

A PWA is a website that uses modern web technologies (service workers, web manifest, HTTPS) to deliver an app-like experience. Users can install it to their home screen, use it offline, and receive push notifications, all without downloading from an app store. It is a website that behaves like a native app.

PWA or native app: which should we build?

PWA if your app is primarily content, forms, and data display. If app store discoverability is not critical. If you need to deploy to employees without MDM. If budget is a concern. Native app (React Native or Flutter) if you need advanced hardware access (Bluetooth, NFC, complex background processes), if app store presence is essential for customer acquisition, or if you need the absolute highest performance for graphics-intensive features.

Do PWAs work on iPhone?

Yes, with caveats. PWAs can be added to the home screen on iOS Safari. Service workers and offline caching work. Push notifications work on iOS since version 16.4 (2023). However, iOS has some limitations compared to Android: no install prompt banner, limited background processing, and storage may be cleared after inactivity. For business apps, these limitations are usually acceptable.

How much does a PWA cost?

We provide a fixed-price quote after scoping. Adding PWA features to an existing web app sits at the lower end of project size. Building a new PWA from scratch is larger. Offline-first PWAs with sync logic sit higher again. PWAs are typically cheaper than equivalent native apps because there is one codebase and no app store process.

Can a PWA work completely offline?

Yes. We build offline-first PWAs that work without connectivity. Previously visited pages load from the service worker cache. Forms and data entry store locally in IndexedDB. When connectivity returns, background sync pushes the data to the server. Complex offline scenarios with conflict resolution are possible but require careful design.

Can a PWA send push notifications?

Yes. The Web Push API enables push notifications on Android (Chrome, Edge, Firefox), Windows (Chrome, Edge), macOS (Chrome, Edge, Safari), and iOS (Safari 16.4+). Coverage is now broad enough for most business cases. We use Firebase Cloud Messaging or a custom push service.

Will a PWA appear in the App Store or Play Store?

Not automatically, but you can wrap a PWA in a Trusted Web Activity (TWA) to publish on the Google Play Store, or use PWABuilder to package for Microsoft Store. Apple does not currently allow PWAs to be published on the iOS App Store. If App Store presence on iOS is required, consider React Native or Flutter.

Can you convert our existing website into a PWA?

Yes, in most cases. We add a service worker for caching and offline support, a web manifest for installability, HTTPS (usually already in place), and optionally push notification support. The existing website does not need to be rebuilt. PWA features are added as a progressive enhancement.