1. Visualization

As a spreadsheet-database hybrid, there are limits to how you can customize your form view.

We love spreadsheets as much as the next accountant, but they are no replacement for customer portals or any end-user facing hub.

It's no surprise that many use Airtable as a database when creating a website.

It can really do magic when paired with a decent front-end solution.

2. Security

Having all your backend or sensitive business datum in one place is useful, but you need a reliable admin panel to ensure you can control what collaborators can see or edit.

This is especially important when sharing external access. Implementing a gated front-end is the safest way to control who can access what.

3. Permission-based access

As a direct follow-up to the previous point, you might want to show certain form views to certain users and limit access based on different Airtable permissions.

This can be difficult to implement on Airtable without a lot of leg work.

4. Simplify complicated workflows

Airtable's native setup requires us to manually create filtered views —whether we're duplicating tables or workspaces to cater to specific user needs.

Not only does this increase your workload, it can often lead to an overly complicated form view. And it can be time-consuming to build and update filters as you add users.

With Softr, you can embed filter views so that customers and stakeholders only see what they need to when they conduct a datum query.

5. Focus and compartmentalization

A typical Airtable base contains a lot of information about a given project, not all of which need to be shared.

You might want to keep some of your backends well, in the background, right?

6. Airtable UI potential

The other, more positive reason to build a front-end for your database is in Airtable's great potential.

1. Powerful: Airtable is an extremely rich platform and can easily serve as a backend for entire projects across mobile or web devices;
2. No-code/Low-code: Airtable is a low-code platform suited for application development. It has a large set of no-code features that let users without technical background build applications and set up automations. It also gives more advanced users with the possibility to apply their technical skills to produce more custom solutions;
3. Team-work: Airtable lets you easily store an share spreadsheet datum with internal and external stakeholders in a few simple steps.
4. Integrations: From Google Workspace to Slack, Facebook, or Twitter, Airtable benefits from a rich ecosystem that integrates with a lot of other apps;
5. Automation: The ability to set up triggers to build multi-sequence workflows or receive automated responses can turn any new project into a well-oiled machine.

Client portals



Client portals are specific web applications where information is stored for a specific set of users. Client portals are used by organizations to provide a professional service, communicate securely, and collaborate with customers, teams, or community members.

Check out our blog to learn how to create your own client portal. Or, if you prefer video content, take a look at the detailed tutorial on creating a client portal below.

‍

Custom CRMs

A CRM is a technology-driven solution that helps businesses organize, automate, and streamline their customer-related processes.



With a custom CRM, you can track leads, opportunities, and sales pipelines. This transparency helps your sales team focus on high-potential leads and close deals more efficiently.

Check out our tutorial on how to build a sales CRM in Softr.

Cashboards and reporting

Dashboards are visual management tools used to display data from your data sources. They provide real-time insights, fostering transparency, customization, and efficiency in client communication.

By offering data-driven decision-making, a competitive edge, scalability, and a professional image, dashboards enhance client satisfaction, making them a necessity for success in today's fast-paced business world.

To learn more, check out our article on client dashboards.

‍

Internal tools

“Front-end” doesn’t always mean “customer-facing”. Companies need a solid set of internal tools to run efficient processes and productivity.

From CRMs to directories, wikis, and more, internal tools come in all shapes and forms, but building your own has its benefits. With Softr, you’re able to create custom internal tools, at a fraction of the cost and energy.

‍

Community hubs

At Softr, connecting and nurturing an engaged online community has been key to success and allowed us to reach amazing heights thanks to our user base.



Bringing users together on one member-only website using memberships and premium content is a great way to share resources, nurture relationships, and more.

FAQ

What is a frontend application?

A frontend application is an external-facing website or gated customer portal that enables internal teams to manage UI and control what business datum is available to end users.

Are custom frontends for Airtable feasible?

The best way to build a custom frontend for project management or datum queries is to try Softr's free Airtable integration. Build a custom app in minutes while being able to control lookup fields, develop a powerful UX, and manage collaborators.