How Return On Investment (ROI) on Mobile-based Applications can Increase with Progressive: Digital Business and E-Commerce Management Assignment, UCD

How Return On Investment (ROI) on mobile-based applications can increase with Progressive Web Apps (PWA)?

PWA technology isn’t exactly new, but it isn’t completely old either. However, as more and more internet users spend more and more time (as well as more and more money) via mobile applications, and because of the high and increasing level of mobile penetration globally, it comes as no surprise that the meteoric rise in popularity of mobile internet usage has led to more companies both big and small incorporating PWAs as part of their digital marketing strategy.

History and background

The past decade or so (starting from around 2005) saw web development technologies slowly yet steadily shift from using static tools to using dynamic ones. A big part of this change included the implementation of responsive web designs in which web pages would render and accurately display web content regardless of the device being used.

However, a longstanding shortcoming of such web design methodologies was that they were never as good as native apps, primarily from an ease-of-use and overall user experience (UX) point of view. Native apps always proved better able to provide not just more seamless user experiences, but they loaded data and booted more quickly when compared to web apps, because web apps, at least for users who are faced with slow or patchy internet connections, generally have longer load and boot times.

Alibaba: raising conversions by 76%

Alibaba is the world’s largest online business-to-business (B2B) trading platform. It serves a very wide and diverse user base across over 200 countries and regions, primarily through the mobile web. As such, the mobile web has always been the focus of the company’s design strategy. However, because web browsers are often limited in functionality, delivering an engaging experience for mobile users via web tools was problematic.

Makemytrip.com: increasing conversions by a factor of 3

MakeMyTrip is India’s leading travel company, and it boasts roughly eight million visitors every month. Over 60% of the company’s users use mobile for bookings, and the company’s native app has had over 20 million downloads, making the app a key component of revenue generation.

What can we learn?

PWAs combine the best of both native apps as well as the web and should, therefore, be seriously considered by anybody working in the online space. Furthermore, with numerous feature and functionalities that cater specifically to Android users (who make up over 85% of the world’s mobile OS market), your PWA strategy could potentially target millions of new users who may be missed due to app installation barriers or issues related to connectivity and coverage.

Answer the following questions:

Question 1: LO1

1. Critically discuss the key trends, advantages, and disadvantages of managing the virtual business in the global environment.
2. Discuss the importance of technology and its impact on Alibaba.com and MakeMyTrip.com

Question 2: LO4

Compare and contrast native apps against web apps. Critically discuss the impact of Return on Investment (ROI) on any digital business in general and then specifically of PWA, either on Alibaba.com and MakeMyTrip.com.

Question 3: LO2

Critically evaluate emerging digital business models and challenges associated with information security threats and ethics in general. Perform a critical analysis with respect to the case study scenarios.

Question 4: LO3

From the case study, it is clear that the companies mentioned did make use of PWA. How would you have dealt with the situation at both companies differently if you were responsible? Do you think PWA can be impacted by new collaborative relationships and strategic alliances through digital technology? Why or Why not? Critically discuss and justify your answer.

Question 5: LO5

Compare and contrast digital business and e-commerce. What are the E-Commerce principles and discuss how they could be applied to digital businesses?

The following Learning Objectives have been indicated against each question:

LO1: Understand the key trends and advantages of digital technology and implications for managing the virtual business in the global environment

LO2: Critically evaluate new and emerging digital business models and key business issues such as cybersecurity and ethics etc. in managing effective e-business

LO3: Evaluate the impact of new collaborative relationships and strategic alliances through digital technology.

LO4: Understand and apply relevant digital business theoretical concepts in practical contexts

LO5: Use a multi-disciplinary approach to apply E-Commerce principles in a business/public/voluntary sector organization.