Hello, community! We often talk about how to effectively drive traffic using mobile apps. But not all apps are created equal. Which format brings the most profit?
Today, we’ll take a close look at the most popular format — PWA. Why do so many affiliates use it? And is that even the right choice? Let’s break it down.
Also, don’t forget we previously explained why affiliates need apps in the first place. Highly recommend checking that out!
What is a PWA App?
PWA (Progressive Web App) is essentially a landing page wrapped into a lightweight mobile app. Back in 2018 when this format first appeared, PWA apps ran inside any browser — making them truly universal.
Nowadays, a PWA app is a standalone browser window that only opens one specific site. It installs in seconds. After installation, the user sees a native-looking icon on their screen — almost indistinguishable from an app downloaded via AppStore or PlayMarket. We say “almost” because on newer Android versions, there are slight visual differences in PWA vs native icons, but nothing critical.
In affiliate marketing, PWAs are most commonly used for gambling. We even made a separate guide on how to drive casino traffic using apps. Make sure to check it out.
How a PWA works:
- The user lands on your site (landing page);
- They agree to “install” the app;
- Then a shortcut appears on their screen — which is really just a browser window locked to your site.
By wrapping your landing into an app, you gain the best of both worlds:
- First of all — push notifications, similar to what you get when Telegram sends a message. You can use them to keep in touch with users, promote new offers, or bring them back to the casino with promos or bonuses;
- PWAs work offline, even when the user doesn’t have internet. While that might not lead to a conversion directly, it helps retain users — which is a win;
- Your offer is harder to forget — it’s a shortcut on the user’s home screen, not just a browser bookmark buried among hundreds of tabs;
- PWAs load faster than a standard site opened in a regular browser. This compensates a bit for the “extra effort” required to install the app and allocate space on the phone;
- PWAs are delivered via websites, not through app stores. This means no moderation — which is a huge plus — but also less organic traffic, so paid traffic might cost a bit more.
While PWAs are most popular in gambling, they also work well in other verticals. For example, in e-Commerce, you can wrap an entire online store linked to your affiliate link and earn commissions every time someone makes a purchase via the app.
Same idea works for dating. There are plenty of use cases.
Where to Get PWA Apps as an Affiliate?
Let’s face it — most affiliates aren’t developers. And even though PWA is a relatively simple format, it might still be out of reach for many. So what can you do if you don’t code, but still want to drive traffic via apps? You’ve got a few options.
First — hire a team to build the app for you. All you need is a brief and some budget. A dev team will handle the rest. But expect it to be expensive.
The more affordable route is renting. Renting an app costs just a few cents a day. So if you’re unsure about your funnel — or just don’t want to overspend — this is a smart way to test. We’ve listed trusted rental platforms on our site.
Finally, if you’ve got the time and motivation, you can do it yourself:
- Your website must run on HTTPS (as it should in 2025);
- Create a manifest and add it to your site (via HTML). The manifest is a JSON file that defines how your app behaves — including what pages should be cached. This gives your PWA an authentic app feel;
- Add a Service Worker — this enables offline usage, among other things.
Don’t forget to design a bright, unique app icon. Sometimes it’s the visual element that impacts final conversions the most.
It’s not as hard as it seems. There are tons of guides online — and with a bit of help from AI, you can build it without much effort. Definitely worth a try if you have spare time.
Conclusion
PWA apps help you earn more — especially in high-profit verticals like gambling and dating. In some funnels, the highest ROI is achieved only thanks to this format.
If you’re on a RevShare payout model, push notifications offer a gentle retention method to keep users engaged and multiply their LTV — leading to bigger profits overall.
Combine that with all the other PWA benefits, and you’ve got a fantastic format that every affiliate should try at least once. Agree or disagree? Share your take in our Telegram community, where we always drop the latest and most valuable affiliate insights!
As always, respectfully yours — your Geek!