Usage & implementation Of Offline Functionality In Mobile Application Development
There are more mobile devices in the world than the total number of computers and television units combined. With the rapid adoption of smartphones and tablets, there’s a radical change in the way how the majority of business owners deliver their services or products to clients: they consider mobile apps as a way to the significant improvement of their customer service. We belong to a time where users are dependent on apps in turn; these apps are dependent on internet connectivity for running all functionalities. This dependency of mobile apps on the internet restricts its access and makes it difficult to use in different locations.
‘Offline-first’ is a development approach ensuring that an app works as smooth offline as it does online. Creating an offline-first app, in the right context, ensures a more reliable and faster experience, retaining users and providing a better user experience for your customers.
With forward-planning, user-first thinking, and offline-first approach, it’s possible to offer a fast and high-quality user experience “offline”.
Making an App work Offline?
Most apps require an internet connection, but as they often access the data that doesn’t change frequently, apps don’t really need to be connected to internet all the times. Hence, in such apps, an ‘always-on’ connection to the server is not needed.
If an app only has to go to the server when it needs to, rather than all the time, it will be faster and more reliable. ‘Offline-first’ apps make it possible to move content off the server and onto the phone only when needed. Thus, providing fast access to the users and increasing their user experience.
An example of the same is any online shopping app which you’re trying to access from a remote poor internet location. In a traditional online app, filling your cart needs the app to go back and forth to the server all the time: because of the poor connection, it’s slow and frustrating.
Offline-first moves the content (the shopping app’s directory of products) to the app, thus speeding up the shopping experience. You only need to go online to complete the payment and schedule of the delivery. By moving some of the server-stored content to the app, the whole user experience is faster, smoother and more reliable.
Should your app be offline-first?
It is a very context specific whether your app should be offline-first. Below mentioned are the three most common reasons for going offline
Usage of your app in areas of poor connectivity:
For mobile app development in offline mode, it is important to consider if the app is likely going to be used in areas of poor signal or with limited WiFi connectivity. A happy app without any network hindrance makes the life of a user easier, it is even relevant for users who travel frequently and cannot depend on having a reliable mobile signal. Enterprise-focused productivity apps are one such candidate that can help make our lives a little bit easier and more productive
Huge directory of content in your app, accessible via a search function:
One cannot depend on slow or unreliable web connection while searching large volumes of online data; it can be time-consuming and can result in a user experience that’s slow and frustrating. This problem is not limited to shopping apps but also affect other mobile game development, utility. To improve your UX in terms of accessibility and speed it is recommended to implement lightweight version of an online database.
Your app has limited features and does not require online functionality:
It is worth realizing whether your app needs an internet connection for performing its key features. Many applications need go back to internet each time they log a menu option, even ones you consume regularly. Such processes make the app slower and users who want to perform simple operation, in a single transaction this is definitely not helpful for them. As a feasible option data could be downloaded to the app periodically, thus making the UX smoother and fast. Pixel Values Technolabs is one of the top Mobile App Development Company providing Digital Marketing services to the clients worldwide along with the mobile and web app development services.
Development of an app offline shows a mobile app design and development challenge but for certain apps gains made in user experience outweighed the costs of offline-first thinking.
Not just one, there are many offline apps that made the lives of people simple and easier, success stories even when the internet is absent:
Netflix
Even in poor connection Netflix started entertaining its users across the globe by allowing its accessibility. As announced, one can download their favorite TV shows and movies on their mobile device using internet and watch them later anytime/anywhere being offline.
Google Maps
Google Maps a web based service is a best example of offline app which allows users to download pre-set area of their map and then allow them to access detailed maps and directions from anywhere. In case of emergency users can navigate on Google maps without internet connection.
Conclusion
With offline-first approach no matter what the quality of the internet connection is, the performance of your app will be stable which is indeed the most important for the user experience.
Author Bio:
Tauseef Anwar is the CEO of Pixel Values Technolabs, The Best Mobile App Development Company In India. Tauseef believes in making customer satisfaction as the top most priority and takes care of the Business Development and operations. An entrepreneur by heart, he is always ready to speak a few words or discuss the latest tech especially if it is mobile technology.
Contact Information:
Call us at 0712-6611379 OR 9822367795
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Website: www.pixelvalues.com
