Step 1: Identify the problem your app solves and who would benefit most from it

Ensuring your app has a clear goal helps you design features that directly address the needs and preferences of your ideal users. 

Start by answering these key questions:

• Who are your ideal users? (their age, occupation, and other key demographics)
• What main goals are they trying to achieve that your app can help with?
• What pain points are stopping them from reaching those goals?
• How can your app make their lives easier? 

For example, let’s say you want to build a company intranet with a user-friendly interface where your team can easily access real-time updates and important documents. 

Here’s what your answers will look like:

Think about the app you want to build, then talk to your current customers and potential users through surveys or interviews to understand their needs. 

You can also check out Reddit to discover common pain points, goals, and the solutions people already use (and where those solutions fall short).

Step 2: Choose a no-code platform that lets you build your app for free

The best no-code app builder makes it easy for anyone to create apps without technical expertise. That’s why you should look for features like: 

• An intuitive drag-and-drop interface that lets anyone on your team easily create apps, 
• Pre-built templates to help you get started right away, whether you’re building a CRM, dashboard, or online store,
• Customizable blocks like forms, buttons, and charts to tailor the app to your needs,
• Integration with popular data sources like Airtable, Google Sheets, and SQL databases,
• User management features, including role-based access and authentication, to keep your app secure and organized,
• Responsive design that ensures your app works smoothly on web and mobile devices,
• Built-in workflow automation to simplify repetitive tasks like notifications and approvals,
• Multi-platform deployment that lets you easily publish apps for web, iOS, and Android, 
• Custom branding options to match your app’s look and feel with your company’s identity,
• Third-party integrations and plugins, like Zapier for automation, to expand functionality,
• Team collaboration tools to let multiple people work on the app simultaneously,
• Scalable architecture to support more users and features as your business grows,
• Built-in analytics to track performance and improve your app over time,
• Support for custom code to give advanced users the flexibility to add unique features,
• Flexible pricing plans, including free tiers, making it a budget-friendly option,

Some examples of no-code tools with these features include Glide, Adalo, and Softr.

Softr checks all of the above boxes, making it a suitable choice for small businesses and enterprise teams looking to build an app for free that’s scalable and test it before launch. 

With a 4.8/5.0 user rating and ranking among the top five easiest-to-use no-code platforms on G2, Softr has earned the trust of over 500,000 teams. 

Softr’s seamless integration with Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, SQL databases, and monday.com makes it especially versatile for different use cases. 

These businesses use Softr to build internal tools, such as dashboards, employee directories, and user interfaces for Google Sheets, as well as external-facing apps, like client portals. 

What really sets Softr apart—beyond its features—is its outstanding user support. You can count on quick, helpful responses whenever you need guidance or encounter an issue.

On top of that, Softr has an active and supportive user community where people share solutions, learn from each other’s experiences, and stay updated on best practices. 

Softr’s team actively listens to community feedback and makes changes based on them to meet user needs and increase delight. 

If you want more options to explore before deciding, check out these Softr alternatives.

Step 3: Create a free account on Softr 

To get started with Softr, you first need to create an account. Go to www.softr.io and click the “sign up for free” button on the homepage. 

You can create an account using your email address or log in with Google for added convenience.

Step 4: Choose a template that best fits the app you want to build 

After signing up, you’ll be prompted to choose how you’d like to start. If you want full control and the freedom to customize every detail, click the ‘Create from Scratch’ option. 

However, if you’re new to no-code platforms or want to save time, Softr’s pre-built templates are an excellent choice. These templates are designed for popular use cases like client portals, CRMs, dashboards, etc. Plus, they’ll inspire you to practice and learn how to build an app for free for several different scenarios.

To select the right template for your app, click ‘Start with Template.’ 

You can either type a keyword related to your app’s purpose, like “dashboard” or “portal,” into the search bar or browse templates by category. Once you’ve found a template that aligns with your app’s vision, scroll through the options to confirm your choice.

For this guide, we’ll build a team intranet using Softr’s template. After selecting the template that best fits your needs, click ‘Use Template’ to begin customizing your app.

Step 5: Connect Softr with your data source 

After choosing your template, you’ll be prompted to connect Softr to your data source or skip this step for later. 

To connect your data source, click the “Select Data Source” dropdown and choose from the available options. Softr integrates with several data sources, but on the free plan, you can connect to Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, SmartSuite, SQL, and Xano.

If you want to explore other data sources, click “Add Another Data Source” to view additional options.

For this guide, we’ll connect Softr to Google Sheets, following the steps below:

Step 5.1: Log in to your Google account

You’ll be redirected to the Google login screen. Select the account where your Google Sheets file is stored and log in.

Step 5.2: Authorize Softr

On the authorization screen, allow Softr access to your Google Sheets by checking the two boxes or selecting “Allow All.” This gives Softr the permissions it needs to read and modify your file.

Pro Tip: Ensure your data is well-organized so that Softr can read and map fields accurately. For instance, if your Google Sheet has a “Customer Name” column and the template uses “Client Name,” Softr will automatically align these fields to ensure consistency.

Step 5.3: Click on “Go to application.”

After connecting your data source, you’ll be redirected to the Softr onboarding page. Click “Go to Application” to proceed with customizing your app.

Step 6: Customize your app’s interface

Each Softr template consists of various pages that make up the user interface, and you can modify each one to suit your needs. 

To begin, click “Pages” on the left-hand menu, then select the page you want to edit.

To customize the interface, click on a block within the page. 

Softr templates come with pre-built blocks that you can arrange flexibly to adjust your app’s layout. For example, if you’re working on the “Resources” page, click on the block you want to edit and the editor panel will instantly open. 

From the Source tab in the editor panel, you can 

• Select the sheet you want to edit,
• Add and modify conditional filters, enabling users to locate relevant information quickly,
• Organize items by specific criteria using the “Sort By” dropdown menu,
• Customize the message displayed when users enter invalid search parameters,

Under the Content tab, you can change titles, subtitles, and their positions within the block. 

Softr’s Items Fields feature lets you control how data from your source (e.g., Google Sheets) is displayed. Each field represents a row in your data source, and you can choose to present it as a list, grid, table, or card. If certain data fields aren’t necessary, you can hide them by hovering over the item and clicking the eye icon to toggle visibility. 

You can delete fields without the eye icon by clicking on the three dots (...) and selecting “Delete.”

You can also update the block's style by clicking the paintbrush icon. From here, adjust colors, fonts, and visual settings such as border styles and hover effects.

For added functionality, consider incorporating a search bar and filters. These tools help users find specific data more efficiently. Toggle on the search bar option and add filter parameters by clicking “+ Add Filter.” Customize placeholder text to guide users and select modifiers to define how searches are performed.

Step 7: Create action buttons

Softr enables you to add action buttons for CRUD operations (create, read, update, delete) and navigation functions, such as opening a URL.

For example, if you want users to add new records, go to the “Actions” tab and scroll to the “Top Bar” section. Click “+” to add a button, then label it (e.g., “Add Record”), select the data source, and specify what happens after the record is created.

You can edit the label, add a field, and choose what happens when a user creates a record.

Also, with the action buttons, you can perform navigation actions like opening a URL. 

Click on the “Actions” tab and scroll to the “Items on click” section. Then click on the dropdown and select what a user should see when they click on a card.

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Step 8: Set up user groups

Softr’s role-based permissions, or user groups, allow you to control what users can see and do within your app. To set up user groups, click “Users” on the left-hand menu and navigate to the User Groups tab.

To create a new user group, click “Add User Group” and give the group a name. You can decide whether you want to add users to the group manually or based on their attributes and conditions. Once done, click “Save.”

The template comes with its own user group, and you have the option to delete whichever doesn’t align with what you want. To delete, hover over the user group you want to delete and click the delete icon.

Step 9: Set Up Visibility

Under the Visibility tab, you can control who sees specific parts of your app. Choose from:

• All Users: Includes both logged-in and non-logged-in users.
• Logged-In Users: Requires login credentials to access content.
• Non-Logged-In Users: Accessible without login credentials.

To restrict access further, you can select specific user groups. For instance, if you want only managers to view sensitive data, use the “Which User Group” dropdown to apply the restriction.

Step 10: Preview your web app

Before publishing, use the Preview feature to test your app’s design and functionality. Click the play icon in the top-right corner to open the preview page.

You can choose between different user views (e.g., logged-in vs. non-logged-in users or specific user groups) to confirm that permissions and visibility settings work as intended. 

Step 11: Publish and Share Your Web App

Once you’re satisfied with your app, click “Publish” in the top-right corner. You can either publish to a custom domain or use Softr’s subdomain for a quick launch.

After publishing, share the app link with your team so they can start using the app.

1. Le Job Vélo

Le Job Vélo is a job board tailored for the French cycling industry, built entirely with Softr. 

It provides a platform for cycling enthusiasts, professionals, and businesses to find and list job opportunities. The creator, a senior product manager and cycling content creator used Softr’s job portal template to launch this project quickly and test its potential as a side business. Its user-friendly interface made it easy to bring this idea to life without technical expertise.

In just 2.5 months, the web app had 85 job offers listed, 62 companies signed up, over 10,000 page views, and €1,500 in revenue. 

2. Les No-codeuses

Les No-codeuses is a resource hub introducing women to the tech world through no-code tools. It’s designed to encourage more women to explore opportunities in the digital space.

The co-founders, one with a computer engineering background and the other with experience in startups and nonprofits, chose Softr after testing alternatives like Wix, WordPress, and Webflow. They found Softr to be the most intuitive and accessible, with the added bonus of offering a free domain name.

While the web app was live, it attracted 100 visitors shortly after launch, with one-third from organic search. 

3. WeUkraine

WeUkraine is a resource directory built using Softr to showcase ongoing local initiatives in France supporting Ukrainians since February 2022. The creator, a growth consultant, used their no-code skills to help local initiatives connect with citizens willing to support.

Softr was the perfect choice because of its seamless integration with Airtable, allowing for a strong database and extensive automation features. This made it possible to build and launch the platform in just six hours.

The results were remarkable: the platform was featured in over 100 media outlets in France, including prime-time TV. Within 48 hours, 100 volunteers joined to help develop and maintain the site, and it hosted over 700 local initiatives. 

Can I create an app without coding?

You can create an app without coding using no-code platforms like Softr, Glide, or Adalo. These tools provide drag-and-drop interfaces, templates, and built-in features making it easy to design, customize, and launch your app without any technical skills.

Can a free app make money?

Absolutely! Free apps can make money through monetization strategies like in-app ads, premium features (freemium model), subscriptions, affiliate marketing, or in-app purchases. Many successful apps started as free platforms and later generated revenue through these methods.

How can I make an app with no money?

To learn how to make an app for free, use free no-code platforms like Softr, which allow you to create and launch basic apps without upfront costs. Start with its free plan, use templates, and focus on simple features to validate your idea before investing in advanced capabilities.

What is the best free app builder? 

The best free app builder depends on your needs, but Softr is a top choice for building functional and visually appealing apps quickly. It’s beginner-friendly, offers a variety of templates, and allows you to launch for free. Other great options include Glide and Adalo.

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