Webstorage, also known as local web storage, is a recording technique that allows data to be saved directly in the client’s browser instead of being uploaded to the company’s servers. The data is stored for the duration of the Internet session or longer.
Webstorage is a form of storage employed by companies providing online services on their website or mobile applications, which is made possible by the new data format HTML5 which browsers use to represent web pages.
Thanks to the webstorage In the case of webstorage, small amounts of data can be stored on users’ browsers rather than on the company’s (internal or remote) servers, such as identification data to access customer areas, for example. The main objective is to facilitate the use and performance of services on a daily basis.
As such, the webstorage provides two types of interfaces :
- The per-session storage => The data entered on the browser are stored for the duration of the session, i.e. as long as the browser window (or tab) remains open. As soon as the browser window (or tab) is closed, the data is deleted and cannot be recovered.
- The local storage => The data entered on the browser are stored without time limit, and are retrievable even after closing the window provided that you always use the same browser on the same device. By knowing that the information is not shared between the various navigators installed on the same workstation.
More powerful than traditional HTTP cookies which are limited to a few kilobytes the webstorage can save up to 10 megabytes of data per connected object. In addition, it has the advantage of not generating additional HTTP traffic for each request as cookies do.
webstorage purpose within companies
Webstorage can have many applications for companies that provide online services, and want to optimize the retention of their customer data:
- Store user data in their own browser without involving the company’s servers, in order to save money on hardware.
- Delete cookies from the company’s site to get rid of the additional traffic they generate, and benefit from a more storage space.
- Store login form fields (the username and password) and allow clients to retrieve the data after logging out.
- Run a service in offline mode and then synchronize the stored data with the servers once the internet connection is restored.
- Improve user experience and quality of service by saving time with each new Internet session.