Service Workers / offline
We implement Service Workers: a background browser script caches resources and data, speeds up repeat visits and enables offline/poor-network work (like a PWA). So the site opens instantly on repeat visits and does not 'die' without internet. Honestly upfront: this is powerful but complex and risky — a wrong Service Worker can get 'stuck' on an old site version; a careful update mechanism is needed, and it does not suit every project.
Service Workers / offline — overview
Service Workers and offline is an implementation project: we register a Service Worker, design a caching strategy (cache-first/network-first/stale-while-revalidate for different resources), an offline page/mode, preloading of key things, and — most importantly — a correct version-update mechanism. Honestly about the main risk, this is key: a Service Worker lives in the user's browser and with wrong setup can get 'stuck' on a stale site version (the user sees old content, updates do not arrive) — a classic and painful problem; so the core of the work is safe cache strategies and reliable updating (versioning, skipWaiting/clients.claim done right), and we test this thoroughly. Honestly about complexity and applicability: it is technically complex and does NOT suit every site — for a simple static site offline mode is often overkill; the most value is where there are repeat visits and a need for offline (web apps, repeatedly read content). Honestly about limits: offline works for cached content; dynamic requests without network are still unavailable; iOS/browsers have limits on cache size/behavior. Honestly about the effect: repeat visits speed up measurably, but we do NOT guarantee sales growth by itself. Honestly about access/maintenance: access to code and HTTPS are needed; an SW requires upkeep as the site changes. An important boundary: this is Service Workers/offline, not full PWA development from scratch (broader), not server cache (720) and not regular speed optimization. If there are few repeat visits and offline is not needed, we honestly do not recommend it. Picture this: instead of 'without network the site does not open, a repeat visit loads anew' — instant repeat visits and basic offline work, with reliable updating. The base price starts from 20,000 ₽ per project; it depends on the strategy and complexity.
Problems we solve
- Repeat visits load anew, slowly.
- Without internet the site does not open at all.
- There is no browser-side resource caching.
- You fear a Service Worker will get 'stuck' on an old version — justified.
What's included in the Service Workers / offline service
- Service Worker registration and a caching strategy
- An offline page/mode for cached content
- Preloading key resources
- A reliable version-update mechanism (no 'sticking')
- Thorough testing of updating and offline
- An applicability assessment (is offline needed at all)
- A report and documentation
- Handover and review with you
What you get
- Instant repeat visits (browser cache)
- Basic offline/poor-network work
- Reliable updating without a stale version
- A modern UX (sales growth — not guaranteed)
How the work goes: steps
- We assess whether offline/SW is needed; collect code access (HTTPS)
- We implement the SW, cache strategy and reliable updating
- We thoroughly test updating/offline, review with you
Why PDV Expert
- Fixed price and timeline — no surprises on the invoice.
- Report and recommendations in plain language — clear without a technical background.
- In touch at every step and answering questions about the result.
FAQ
Won't the Service Worker get 'stuck' on an old version?
That is the main risk with careless setup. So the core of the work is a reliable version-update mechanism (versioning, careful skipWaiting/clients.claim) and thorough testing, so the user does not see stale content and updates arrive. We do not promise risk-free 'magic' — checking is mandatory.
Do I really need offline mode?
Not always. For a simple static site offline is often overkill. The most value is where there are repeat visits and a need for offline (web apps, repeatedly read content). If this is not your case, we honestly do not recommend it.
Will offline work fully?
Only for cached content. Dynamic requests without network are unavailable; there are browser limits (especially iOS) on cache size and behavior. It is basic offline and a speedup of repeat visits, not full operation of the whole site without internet.
About the provider
The «Service Workers / offline» service is provided by PDV Expert — a team specialising in «Site quality». We work under contract and deliver a written report with recommendations.