No code is a huge time-saving solution that helps you save capital while creating high-performance applications on a par with Facebook or Amazon. Quite often, the majority of people embark on the creation of applications without taking the time to properly define their objectives. As a result, they end up with feature-limited applications and a poor user experience.
If you're planning to create an app using no-code tools, here's a guide to the steps to follow and the right decisions to make. Among other things, we'll introduce you to no-code platforms like Adalo, Bubble, and FlutterFlow, with which you can design applications and deploy them on mobile store (Google Play Store and app stores).
Then, through simplified design steps, you'll be able to launch a no-code app development. Are you ready? Let's get started with the first step.
The different types of applications
Not all applications work in the same way. Before the App development process, it's important to know how to differentiate between web, native, in-house, and mobile applications.
Native applications are based on a particular operating system. That is, they have been developed to run on a specific type of device. You'll find them only on device stores.
For example, an application created for Apple will never run on an Android or Windows device. Native applications are created for many reasons, including providing a personalized experience for users, facilitating accessibility, or taking advantage of the capabilities of the device on which it will be installed.
Web applications, on the other hand, work only via the Internet and are not installed directly on a device. They are ideal for designers who want to reach a wider audience without operating system restrictions or storage-intensive updates. Development costs are also lower, depending on the advanced features to be integrated.
They take the form of a web page and can be confused with a site. It should be noted that a website is more focused on presenting information, whereas an application is interactive and has functionalities for taking action.
Mobile applications are designed to be used on cell phones in particular. They're known for being fast, and responsive, and don't require an internet connection. However, it is advisable to update them for greater efficiency. They are more easily found on stores such as the Play Store or App Store and sometimes use the device's resources (camera, GPS) to work better.
Finally, there are internal applications, developed specifically for particular business systems. They are often used by companies. Functionalities can vary according to the tasks to be accomplished or the needs: communication channel, training, etc. You can create this type of application to better manage a company's data and resources. This promotes automation and productivity.
What is no code, and why use it?
No code is a simplified approach to classic web development that requires knowledge and specialization in web programming. With no code, you don't have to understand programming languages like JSON, C++, or Python to create high-performance websites and applications.
The no-code concept is based on a drag-and-drop system for elements such as buttons, text, links, and groups. This is an advantage when it comes to building applications 03 times faster. Speaking of advantages, no code technology facilitates automation and customization when it comes to adding functionality, improving design, and so on.
The learning curve is simple. According to the no-code tool, you can create your first application as early as the third week of your training. Traditional web development, on the other hand, will probably take you a whole year on average.
There are a multitude of no-code platforms with specific features. When it comes to data management, Budibase and Nocodb are benchmarks. Or, if you're planning to create mobile applications, Adalo and FlutterFlow are examples of powerful tools.
Choose the best and suit no-code platform
Before embarking on a no-code development platform, a great deal of upstream work needs to be done. You need to define in advance the functionalities you require to make your application operational.
Taking into account all your no code technological components (functionality, data management, integration), you can now choose the no-code solutions that meets your expectations and requirements. To help you make a better selection, we've put together some no-code platform selection criteria.
Firstly, we invite you to take into account the tool's interface, as this will tell you whether its use is complex or not. For example, Bubble has a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to add any type of component (text, plugins, image, template, input) from its visual interface editor.
Next, check if the tool offers a multitude of plugins and widgets you'll need. Then, find out the cost of acquisition if they offer paid options. Finally, the tool should allow you to custom applications so that you can design them as you like, adding your touch of originality.
If you're spoilt for choice, you can refer to the no-code platforms we use in our agency to create complete, practical applications for users. But first, here's a description of some of the no-code app builders you can use to create your application. Each has its own specific and advanced features.
Adalo
Adalo is a no-code solution renowned for its efficiency in developing mobile and web applications adapted to different device systems. Its drag-and-drop component and intuitive user interface lets you freely design your application by adding a color palette.
You can integrate databases or design the backend with external tools like Xano. With Adalo, you're sure to create a responsive mobile app that can be published and is ready for use on Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store.
Bubble
Bubble is a complete no-code platform and no code app builder for creating any type of application, no matter how complex. It's packed with features for executing and automating actions through workflows, designing, hosting, and deploying your project on commercial media like the App Store.
What's more, Bubble is constantly evolving with updates to facilitate the creation of no-code applications. Even the most seasoned developers are adopting it, as it offers greater flexibility with its low-code features. Here's a complete training course on Bubble that will help you master it and create all the no-code applications you can imagine.
FlutterFlow
FlutterFlow is a low-code solution that gives you more freedom to create a complete application with customized functionality. With this tool, you can easily integrate APIs and connect to data via Firebase.
This saves you precious time when developing and deploying a :
- a dashboard,
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management) to maintain good customer experience,
- management and organization, tasks to make a team more dynamic, etc.
- Steps in Designing a no-code application
Discover how to create no code apps with flutterflow
Once you've chosen the no-code tool you're going to use to create a custom application with the no code mobile app builder flutterflow, here are the main steps to follow to bring your project to life. These are summarized below:
- definition of specifications;
- option of a template ;
- adding content ;
- optimizing with functionalities
- testing ;
- publication.
Define your specifications
A specification is a roadmap that outlines your requirements and the process to be followed through to the completion of your site and beyond. A majority of application creation projects fail due to a lack of specifications. There are a variety of templates available for a wide range of applications, from cutom mobile apps to software.
When it comes to the format in which a specification is presented, the first thing it should contain is the reason why you want to design custom application. This gives you a clear vision of the different actions you need to take to achieve a positive result.
Secondly, the specifications must describe your target market, and the application's functionalities, so that it's a pleasure for users to use. This part should be as descriptive as possible.
Thirdly, the specifications must refer to the application's technical specificities. For example, you need to define whether your application is best suited to selling products or services with appropriate payment methods.
Fourthly, you need to mention information about the application's graphic charter. This includes the design, the logo, the colors, and all the branding that goes with it.
Finally, if there's one really important section to be included in your specifications, it's the budget you'll need to allocate to get the project up and running. It's just a bit of math, no big deal. Accessibility to certain plugins, widgets, and functionalities can cost money. So it's best to be prepared.
Choose a template
Templates are the best way to save time in designing your application and to get a visual idea of what it will look like. Fortunately, no-code platforms provide thousands of them, with different templates and features already integrated.
You can customize them by adding, modifying, or removing certain functions. For an overview, visit our marketplace template, to discover some app templates that might suit your needs.
What's more, the templates have already been tested before publication, giving you a certain guarantee of quality. The advantage is that, even if you're a beginner, you won't be exposed to the majority of technical problems. All you have to do is drag and drop to complete the new fields you need, either in the database or in the workflow.
Add content to your app
In our specifications, we mentioned the creation of a graphic charter to create a brand image for your application in line with that of your company. As you create your application, you need to add colors, fonts, logos, and other important elements to make your creation more aesthetically pleasing.
For example, in the header of your app, you can position the logo and the login button. If you're working with a template, you'll need to modify the pre-written content. These may include conditions of use, product description fields if it's a marketplace, etc.
Add functions
Functionality is at the heart of your application. It's right at this stage that you add workflows to link elements together with actions. The possibilities are endless, so it's up to you to optimize what you need without going overboard and creating bugs.
At the same time, you need to add conditions, whether to make your pages responsive or to authorize user access. You need to consider and anticipate all the functionalities required to promote greater automation of the application.
Depending on your design model or specifications, you can integrate plug-ins like Google Maps' Multi-Inputs into Bubble to make all your actions dynamic.
Test the app
The test or beta test phase allows you to check that all the features and sections of your application are functional. This is the time to preview your project and explore it. You can submit this test to a dozen or so people to get their opinion and measure the impact in terms of user experience.
To do this, you'll select ten or so people from your target audience. The aim is for them to give you constructive criticism so that you can perfect your work. They can submit their opinions in a detailed report. Or, in the best-case scenario, you can entrust us with the entire design of the application, right through to testing. In this way, you can be sure of meeting your expectations and getting professional advice.
Publish the application
Now that your application is ready for use, it's time to publish it on media so that your users can download it. Is your application suitable for Windows users? If so, it should be available on the Microsoft Store. App Store and Play Store are also positioning points where you can deploy your application directly.
This is where no-code, mobile app builder tools such as Adalo, FlutterFlow, and Glide come in handy, making the process much easier. Then, as your application evolves, you can update it to make it more efficient and powerful.
Why should you entrust your project to no-code experts?
This option guarantees an impeccable result. On the one hand, it saves you from having to deal with any bugs that may arise after the application has been created. A disadvantage that could lead your potential target audience to avoid using your no-code solution, which would be a shame.
If you've got an idea for an app and don't always know how to go about it, we're ready to help you choose and master no-code tools like Bubble through coaching. At the same time, our team of long-standing no-code application creation experts is dedicated to helping you turn your application project into a reality.
At Noxcod, we've worked on a multitude no-code apps. These include Solide NFT, which creates high-quality metal prints by transforming NFTs into beautiful works of art. Or Go4Me, a marketplace for quick-help offers developed in just 10 days.
Conclusion
Today, thanks to no code tools, it's possible to have an idea for an application and create it in no time. All you need to create a no-code application is a plan in the form of specifications, imagination, and consistency.
By following the design steps, including choosing the no-code tool, using customizable templates, adding content and functionality, testing and publishing the application. You now have the information you need to successfully create an application without programming knowledge and coding skills.
