Single-page web apps have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among eCommerce companies. In the second quarter of 2020, according to the latest research, mobile devices accounted for 54.4 % of website traffic, compelling businesses to optimize their sites and improve user experience.
According to Google research, increasing page load times from one to three seconds increases the likelihood of a bounce by 32%.
This encourages enterprises to shift from MPAs to SPAs. We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of single-page applications in this article to help you make the best decision.
What is a Single-Page Application?
A single-page application is one that interacts with users by vigorously modifying current web pages with new data from the web server, rather than the browser’s typical strategy of launching an entirely new page.
The goal is to have faster transitions, which will make the site feel more like an inherent application.
In a SPA, the browser recovers the required HTML, JavaScript, and CSS code, or suitable resources are robustly loaded and added to the pages as needed. This usually occurs in response to the user’s actions.
This page will not reload at any time throughout the process and will not transfer control to another page, even if HTML5 history API or the location hash can be utilized to provide the navigability and perception of distinct logical pages in web applications.
‘Do you need a web app or a website?’ is a question that may cross your mind.
We may deduce from a web app vs website comparison that if you run a tiny business, you only need a brochure or a boutique website that concisely represents your brand. If you run a successful business, you’ll need a bespoke website to showcase your services or products to your customers.
Now let’s get into the pros and cons of SPAs
Pros of Single Page Application
Fast and flexible
Because SPAs do not refresh the entire page but only the essential dynamic content, they significantly increase the speed of a website. The majority of resources and DOM elements are only loaded once during an application’s entire life cycle.
The only thing that is sent and received is data. This is a significant benefit because it reduces page load time and waiting time for users, and according to Google research, a page that takes longer than 2 seconds to load can have a significant impact on business and sales.
Enhanced user experience
Another significant benefit of developing single-page applications is improved user experience. The majority of users dislike visiting many links to find the information they need. Users of SPAs only have to scroll, which is far more comfortable, especially when using a mobile device.
Users can now browse pages without an internet connection, resulting in increased involvement. Single-page applications are more appealing in general, and they contribute to a better user experience and retention.
Caching power
A single-page application can effectively cache local data. SPA sends only one request to the server and stores all of the information it receives.
It can then use this information and function even when it is not connected to the internet. If a user’s connectivity is impaired, the local data can be synchronized with the server as soon as the connection allows.
Easily debuggable
Because these apps are built on frameworks like Angular and react development tools, debugging SPAs with Chrome is simple.
When opposed to multi-page apps, such frameworks have their own chrome developer tools that make debugging much easier (MPA)
SPAs also allow you to monitor network procedures as well as page elements and data associated with them.
Cons of SPAs
Slowness under certain circumstances
Because the JS volume is substantially larger in SPAs, initial loading takes longer. Furthermore, because a mobile browser must parse and understand JavaScript, it can considerably slow down app loading, especially if the smartphone’s processor isn’t powerful.
Browser history not stored
The visitor’s transitions between states are not saved by a SPA. It refers to the fact that when a person presses the back button, they do not return. The browser just returns the user to the previous page, not the previous application state.
To address this problem, developers can use the HTML5 History API to construct SPA frameworks. The history API provides JavaScript frameworks with access to the browser’s navigation history.
SEO optimization becomes difficult
Traditional HTML pages are beneficial for SEO, however, SPAs are difficult to crawl by users since indexing robots do not know how to deal with JavaScript. The option is to create a robot-specific HTML page, but this can cause maintenance issues.
Security challenges
Some security concerns surround the use of SPAs. Cross-site scripting attacks are more likely to compromise them. Keep this in mind if you decide to create a single-page application for your project. If the security of your client’s website is a major concern for you, you should consider building your site on a multi-page application.
Conclusion
Any website architecture has advantages and disadvantages. The type of project or company goal you intend to attain should guide your decision. Most concerns can be avoided using modern web application development strategies.
If you’ve decided to create a single-page web application but are worried about the process, contact Stellar Digital. As a professional web development company, we have a large pool of talented experts who can assist you with your project. Visit stellardigital.in and explore more about our web development services.
