Learn how to implement effective A/B testing for Progressive Web Apps and why it's essential. Discover the key factors and steps for successful PWAs testing. Original Source: https://www.nevinainfotech.com/blog/ab-testing-for-progressive-web-apps/

1. A/B Testing For Progressive Web
Apps – Implement Effectively
Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) have become essential in today’s modern world, benefiting industries of all sizes. These
innovative platforms significantly improve technical capabilities, empower organizations, and efficiently manage businesses.
Many companies have successfully leveraged this advanced platform to attract their target audiences and enhance user
experiences. PWAs are easy to develop and require minimal testing and maintenance efforts after deployment. In this web blog, we
will offer you a comprehensive discussion on Progressive Web Apps. Also, read along to know how to effectively implement A/B
testing for PWAs.
What are Progressive Web Apps?
Simply put, progressive web apps (PWAs) are mobile-friendly websites designed to provide users with a native app-like experience.
The great thing about PWAs is that they can be accessed directly from a web browser.
To access the product more easily, you can add its Progressive Web Application (PWA) to your home screen. Many companies opt
for PWAs because they rely less on specific operating systems. Also, PWAs can be supported on multiple platforms using popular
technologies like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are easily accessible via a URL and do not require significant storage space on devices like native
apps. This makes PWAs convenient for customers with limited device storage.

2. Why do you need A/B Testing for
Progressive Web Apps?
A/B testing for progressive web apps is important due to the below-mentioned reasons-
Improved analysis
By conducting A/B testing for PWAs, you can obtain definitive results and continue refining your analysis going forward. Identifying
the winning variant is relatively straightforward since it relies on observed user behavior data.
Tests specific pages
If you only need to test certain web pages of your app, A/B testing is a great option. Instead of having to test the entire app, you can
focus on specific web pages and save time, money, and effort. A/B testing also allows for easy experimentation with new ideas and
innovations.
Enhance user engagement
A/B testing for PWAs offers a key advantage by enhancing user engagement. This strategy enables you to swiftly identify the
preferences of your target audience, such as color choices and layout designs. By comprehending user behavior and implementing
these desired changes, you can effortlessly elevate the user experience of your web applications.

3. What are the Factors to test for
Progressive Web App Testing
Here are the 8 factors to test for A/B testing for PWAs
1. Responsive Web pages
It is crucial to ensure that your web application functions responsively on both desktop and mobile devices during the development
phase.
2. HTTPS presented sites
Ensuring safety is crucial for a progressive web application. To achieve this, it is important to serve your web app over HTTPS.
There are several tools available, such as Lighthouse developed by Google, seositecheckup, SSL labs, jitbit, DigiCert, and SSL
shopper that can help you test whether your web app is served over HTTPS or not.
3. Offline caching and installability
Unlike traditional web applications, Progressive Web Apps (PWA) have the ability to function seamlessly even without an internet
connection. This is made possible by utilizing a service worker, which enables offline capabilities. It is important to ensure that
these offline functionalities are properly tested by simulating limited or no network connectivity.
Another significant advantage of PWAs over regular web apps is their installability. When users install your PWA on their mobile
devices, they are more likely to engage with it frequently. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that every new version of your PWA is
easily installable for enhanced user experience.

4. 4. Sensor Integration
Does your Progressive Web App function properly with the camera and microphone capabilities of a web browser? PWA has
integration with sensors. If your PWA utilizes sensors, it is crucial to include thorough testing and automation for that functionality.
5. Push Notifications
Does your Progressive Web App (PWA) effectively deliver push notifications in a browser? Unlike regular web apps, PWAs have
the advantage of being able to deploy push notifications. If your PWA utilizes push notifications, ensure that you thoroughly test and
automate the process to avoid any missed notifications.
6. URL included pages
Every page of your web application should have a unique URL to ensure proper functionality. To test this, you can check that each
page has a clickable URL and is shareable on social media or other platforms. The URLs should open seamlessly in modern
browsers.
7. Easy to share
Content needs to be easily shareable, even in full-screen mode, and it should be compatible with different social media platforms.
You can test this by sharing content from full-screen mode yourself.
8. Structured Data(schema)
To enhance the visibility of your website on search engines, your web application should have the ability to create a rich card when
necessary. To test this functionality, you can utilize Google’s structured data to ensure that essential elements like descriptions,
images, and titles are properly displayed. All these steps are factors taken into consideration by top PWA development company all
over the world.

5. A/B Testing for PWAs
One of the most important phases is to test the progressive web app. It contributes to a better client experience and improved
conversion rates. Let’s first understand what A/B testing is.
What is A/B Testing?
A/B testing, also known as “split testing,” is a method of conducting experiments to determine which version of an app performs
better. In this process, two variants of the app are randomly presented to users in order to identify the superior-performing variant.
A/B testing for Progressive Web App (PWAs) utilizes user data and statistical significance to implement the winning version.
To conduct effective A/B testing, it is important to have experienced developers or UX researchers who can carry out multiple split
tests. Alternatively, you can save time and resources by hiring PWA developers from an experienced progressive web app
development company like Nevina Infotech.

6. What are the Steps to Implement A/B
testing for PWAs?
Now that we have explored progressive web apps and A/B testing let’s dive into the process of deploying an A/B test experiment for
optimal results. Below are the steps for A/B Testing for Progressive Web Apps-
1. Set the benchmark parameters
It is important to analyze the current state of your app and what are the benchmarks you want to achieve. Analyzing current user
data is crucial for identifying strengths and weaknesses within your app. You can then go for designing the experiment based on
this preliminary analysis.
2. Understand your goals
When it comes to testing progressive web apps, the second important step is to identify your goals. By determining specific goals
beforehand, you can easily prioritize and define the scope of your experience. The specific objective will vary depending on the
intended audience and the type of business model, such as whether your business is focused on direct consumer sales (B2C) or
targeting other businesses (B2B).
Let’s take examples of different businesses to illustrate the point. An eCommerce company, for instance, might prioritize enhancing
the conversion rate and ensuring successful checkouts. On the other hand, a media organization might seek to maximize article
sharing across various social media platforms. Similarly, in a gaming app, strategically managing pop-up banners can significantly
enhance player engagement.

7. 3. Be ready with a hypothesis
To effectively go for progressive web app testing, it’s important to first identify the main objectives. Once that’s done, you can
proceed with listing ideas for A/B test variations. For each idea, provide clear reasons explaining why it’s an improvement over the
existing version. To optimize this process, prioritize the ideas based on their impact on the business, app-specific key performance
indicators (KPIs), and implementation difficulty level
4. Develop variations
Now, you’ll need to make modifications to your custom web app based on your hypothesis. These modifications can be as simple
as changing the color scheme, re­
arranging menu options, or hiding certain buttons. There are tools available in the market that can
help you easily make these changes.
5. Time to run the experiment
After you have created the variation, you can proceed with the experiment. Randomly assign web app traffic to either use the
original or control version of the app and the proposed variation.
It’s important to conduct experiments only when there is a sufficient number of users interacting with the app. Otherwise, the data
collected from the experiment may hold little value.
6. Check the results
Lastly, it is important to analyze the results of the experiment. Separate the data from the experiment using the testing tool that was
deployed and evaluate the performance of both versions. By determining the statistical significance of your findings, you can
confidently identify which variant of the progressive web app is superior. If your initial hypothesis proves successful, proceed with
implementing the change accordingly. But, if the data suggests otherwise, it may be necessary to formulate a new hypothesis and
begin anew.

8. If conducting regular progressive app testing seems overwhelming, you have the option to hire PWA developers from external
development partners. This allows you to quickly begin the testing process. It is important to hire skilled professionals with
extensive knowledge and years of experience in order to ensure optimal results.
Conclusion
The increasing accessibility of the Internet and the availability of digital services are key factors contributing to the rapid growth in
smartphone usage. As more people have access to smartphones, ensuring a positive customer experience becomes ever more
crucial. Right now, Progressive web applications are the trendiest in the online market because they bring uniformity between
native and web applications.
With the increasing demand for progressive web application development, companies are inclined to perform A/B testing on their
apps. This allows them to choose the version that will provide better user engagement and conversion rates, ultimately benefiting
the users.