Imagine building your dream app without hiring a developer. Insights from a founder and an Executive Director of Marketing make this a reality. Discover how no-code platforms can kickstart your project and explore the potential of AI-powered app builders. This article uncovers five expert insights, beginning with utilising no-code platforms and concluding with leveraging Salesforce Experience Cloud.
- Build an App with No-Code Platforms
- Use No-Code Platforms for Prototyping
- No-Code Tools for Simple Apps
- AI-Powered App Builders for Prototyping
- Build Apps Using Salesforce Experience Cloud
Build an App with No-Code Platforms
Thanks to no-code platforms, building an app is no longer reserved for tech wizards. Tools like Bubble, Glide, and Appgyver let anyone with an idea and a bit of determination create something functional—no coding needed.
Practical Tips for DIY App Success:
- Define Your Purpose: Know what your app is meant to do and who it’s for. (Hint: If it solves a real problem, you’re already winning.)
- Pick the Right Tool: Bubble is perfect for web apps, Glide transforms spreadsheets, and Appgyver is great for complex needs. Test a few platforms to see which one fits your vision best.
- Start Small: Begin with a minimum viable product (MVP)-a simple version of your app. Think of it as the beta test, not the final masterpiece.
- Iterate and Improve: Gather feedback from real users, refine your design, and adjust as needed. It’s like a cooking-taste-test before serving.
- Be Aware of Limits: No-code tools are powerful, but they can’t do everything. For advanced features or scalability, you might eventually need a developer.
Why Go No-Code?
- Speed: Build apps faster than traditional methods-sometimes up to 90% quicker.
- Cost-Effective: No pricey developer fees mean more funds for other parts of your business.
- Accessible: If you can drag and drop, you can create. These platforms are made for everyone.
Building an app without coding is surprisingly achievable, even if you’re not a techie. Start small, experiment, and let your idea take shape. Who knows? That app idea you’ve been dreaming about could soon be a reality—no developers required!
If only I read this myself back in 2019 when I hired developers to build our app…
Jody Swain, Founder, Hire & Fire Your Kids
Use No-Code Platforms for Prototyping
Yes, you can build an app without a developer for simpler solutions, it works well. At our company, we’ve seen teams use no-code platforms like Bubble, Adalo, and Glide to quickly prototype internal tools or basic apps. These platforms help validate ideas without heavy investment.
Our advice? Start with the essentials. Identify your app’s core features and keep it streamlined. No-code tools work best when you don’t overcomplicate things. We’ve found that even non-technical team members can create functional prototypes after some time exploring tutorials or community forums.
However, know when to transition. For apps requiring custom features, scalability, or tighter security, no-code platforms can fall short. This is when partnering with developers becomes critical. In our experience, a no-code prototype is a great starting point, but professional development ensures long-term success.
Vikrant Bhalodia, Head of Marketing & People Ops, WeblineIndia
No-Code Tools for Simple Apps
Yes, but it depends on your app’s complexity-no-code tools excel for MVPs (minimum viable products) or apps with simple workflows but might struggle with highly customised features. Platforms like Adalo or Thunkable let you design and deploy apps without technical expertise, focusing on user experience rather than infrastructure. You’d be surprised how much you can achieve with creativity and determination. Leverage the endless tutorials, forums, and templates available on no-code platforms; most of these tools have vibrant communities eager to help beginners. Platforms like Makerpad and NoCode.tech offer resources that guide you through every step of building your app. Don’t reinvent the wheel-learn from those who’ve already succeeded.
Alari Aho, CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
AI-Powered App Builders for Prototyping
The siren song of AI-powered app creation is tempting, but it’s a double-edged sword. Yes, you can build an app without a developer using platforms like Bolt.New, but the real question is: should you?
These no-code solutions are impressive and accessible, making app creation possible for those without coding experience. However, they often come with significant drawbacks:
- Security vulnerabilities
- Lack of robust back-end infrastructure
- Potentially unmaintainable code
AI-powered app builders are brilliant for prototyping and communicating ideas, but extreme caution is needed before deploying anything they produce into a live environment. My tip? Use these platforms to create prototypes and visualise your concepts. They’re fantastic tools for mildly tech-savvy individuals to showcase ideas to professional developers. But when it comes to building production-ready apps, it’s crucial to involve experienced developers who can ensure security, scalability, and maintainability.
Chris Reed, Executive Director of Marketing, Protect Line
Build Apps Using Salesforce Experience Cloud
You can build an app using Salesforce Experience Cloud, and it’s pretty straightforward to use once you know what you’re aiming to achieve. You can start with pre-built templates like Customer Service or Partner Central, or opt for a fully customised design using the Lightning Web Components (LWC) framework. The Experience Builder makes it even easier, offering a drag-and-drop interface for creating and customising pages, adding your own branding, and configuring navigation menus—none of which require coding knowledge or experience.
What’s great about Experience Cloud is how seamlessly it integrates with Salesforce’s ecosystem. You can pull in features like Chatter for collaboration, Knowledge Articles for support, or Salesforce objects like Cases and Opportunities. For more complex needs, developers can tap into Apex, LWC, and JavaScript to build custom components. Security is also a top priority, with robust options for user roles, permissions, and authentication methods like SSO or MFA. Once your app is ready, you can test it in Preview Mode to iron out any issues and make sure it works well on different devices before launching.
While the platform is user-friendly, especially for basic setups, there’s a bit of a learning curve if you’re diving into advanced customisations. Salesforce offers tons of support, from Trailhead tutorials to an active community, which can help you get up to speed.
Mathieu Sroussi, Co-Founder & CEO, SmartenUp
