Static web applications

As the name suggests, static web apps aren’t the most flexible. Generally built with HTML, CSS, and a little bit of JavaScript code, they offer limited interactivity. They are difficult to update, as they appear to the user the same way they do on the server.

While limited, static web apps are still a great option when creating websites that don't require interactions, such as company information pages or personal portfolios.

Dynamic web applications

On the other hand, dynamic web apps offer a wider range of possibilities. The web application fetches data in real time based on the user’s request, whether performing a search, posting a comment, liking a post, or doing something else.

Subtypes of dynamic web applications include:

Progressive Web Applications (PWA)

These apps behave like native applications despite being web apps. If we compare PWAs to native apps, PWAs can be downloaded to a mobile device, accessed and used offline, but don’t require the same technologies as native apps. Softr, for instance, allows you to build a PWA from your existing application in a few simple steps.

Let’s look at some examples you might be using today.

1. DoorDash

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The largest food delivery company in the US, DoorDash's web and mobile app allow users to order food directly to their doors. Restaurants can reach a larger customer base, and drivers can also generate income.

2. GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is an online marketplace for tour guides and excursions. Through the web and mobile app, users can browse and book tours and activities, from classes to tourist attractions worldwide.

3. Airtable

Part spreadsheet, part database, Airtable is one of our favorite web apps. Super powerful, it can be used along with Softr to create your own web application.

Related resource: What is Airtable? How to use it to easily manage your data.

4. Airbnb

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One of the biggest players in the sharing economy, Airbnb's web and mobile app provides an online marketplace for lodging and tourism activities, connecting vacation renters and house owners.

5. Spotify

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Spotify is one of the world's largest music streaming service providers. Its web and mobile apps have millions of monthly active users who stream music.

(Note that you can replicate some of these apps without code using Softr. But we will touch more on that later.)

As you can see, web applications are everywhere.

Availability across devices

Since web applications can be accessed through a browser, they are available to virtually anyone with an Internet connection.

Lower development cost

Web app development allows companies to avoid costly equipment and infrastructure costs. According to Vadim Belsky, Head of Web Development at ScienceSoft, developing their custom web apps can be more cost-effective for a company in the long run than hiring a web development agency that can cost a business from $15,000 to $20,000. .

Integration with other systems

Leveraging integrations with other programs is much easier than with isolated desktop applications.

Easier maintenance

Updates or redesigns are directly applied on the host server and available everywhere. There's no need to update the version of every single client.

Flexibility and scalability

Similar to the easier upkeep, increasing capacity for web applications is made smooth by increasing capacity on the host server.

Centralized security

Web app security relies on established host servers that are regularly checked and kept up by dedicated companies.

While native apps make sense in some cases, such as enterprise products emphasizing data security, web apps have become the norm.

Let’s now look at the steps involved in web application development and how to build your own applications.

1. Identify the problem

The first, seemingly obvious step in web development is to find an idea. While some might argue that finding an original, groundbreaking idea is the best approach, others think that following the steps of an already established market makes more sense.

Whatever school of thought you follow, the most essential part is identifying the problem your product will address.

2. Market research

Once you have an idea, market research is a logical next step in web development. Understanding who your competition will be and what is already available is critical to avoiding the number one trap: building something no one wants.

It is no surprise that the average age of successful founders is 45. These professionals usually spend years developing a deep understanding of their industry before launching their venture.

Likewise, understanding your market will be critical to your success.

3. Building a wireframe and prototype

You now have an established idea of your market and what you want to build. It’s time for the fun part of web development: building a prototype.

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Tools such as InVision, Figma, or Justinmind will allow you to create a wireframe and prototype, a visual skeleton that you can use to showcase a semi-functional first draft of your product. This will be essential for the next step of web application development.

4. Validate your prototype

With your prototype ready, you can showcase your idea in a tangible form to potential users. By recording their interactions with your wireframes and collecting feedback, you can iterate and improve your vision and determine whether your idea is worth pursuing.

This step of web development is significant. Everything should have been relatively low-friction until now, and this is your opportunity to decide whether to dive headfirst, adjust your plans, or give up and move on to the next idea.

Starting with the next step, things are getting real.

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5. Build your app

Building is obviously a huge chunk of the web app development process and one that will take a lot of energy, time, and money. This will include:

1. Deciding what development framework you will use.
2. Choosing your technical collaborators.
3. Establishing your work methodology.
4. Overview progress and set milestones.

Since this post aims to provide a more high-level perspective on web app development, we won’t discuss advanced technical details. But hang on, as we introduce a way to build your web app without code later in the post.

6. Test the app

Testing is an ongoing process that happens throughout the building phase and as your application comes together. We wouldn’t want to deliver a faulty product (there will be bugs. A lot of bugs, probably).

There are usually two phases where you test the functionality:

1. Alpha testing is internal, and it happens before you release software for external testing. Alpha testing identifies and fixes bugs, evaluates functionality, and ensures the software meets the target audience's needs.
2. Beta testing happens after alpha testing, with real users testing the software in a real-world environment. Beta testing helps you gather unbiased user feedback before your official release.

7. Deploying the application

Finally, it’s time to host your app and give it to the world. This is only the beginning. You will now be growing your web application, maintaining and scaling it as you get user feedback and data.

But the initial web app development process is now complete!

Once live, it is worth deploying a web application monitoring tool in order to keep tabs on your brand-new product. This is sensible because it lets you get a baseline understanding of how it performs, and also track any issues that occur, such as crashes, so that fixes can be found. It’s an example of how web app development doesn’t end with deployment.

Now that you have a better understanding of what goes into developing a web application, two very important questions remain: "How much does it cost, and do you need to know how to code?"

6. Test the app

Testing is an ongoing process that happens throughout the building phase and as your application comes together. We wouldn’t want to deliver a faulty product (there will be bugs. A lot of bugs, probably).

There are usually two phases where you test the functionality:

1. Alpha testing is internal, and it happens before you release software for external testing. Alpha testing identifies and fixes bugs, evaluates functionality, and ensures the software meets the target audience's needs.
2. Beta testing happens after alpha testing, with real users testing the software in a real-world environment. Beta testing helps you gather unbiased user feedback before your official release.

7. Deploying the application

Finally, it’s time to host your app and give it to the world. This is only the beginning. You will now be growing your web application, maintaining and scaling it as you get user feedback and data.

But the initial web app development process is now complete!

Once live, it is worth deploying a web application monitoring tool in order to keep tabs on your brand-new product. This is sensible because it lets you get a baseline understanding of how it performs, and also track any issues that occur, such as crashes, so that fixes can be found. It’s an example of how web app development doesn’t end with deployment.

Now that you have a better understanding of what goes into developing a web application, two very important questions remain: "How much does it cost, and do you need to know how to code?"

How much does it cost to build a web app?

This is a valid question but unfortunately, a tough one to answer as it involves a lot of changing parts and parameters:

1. How complex is your app?
2. How many features?
3. What technologies are you planning to use?
4. What are your technical requirements?
5. Are you building it yourself or hiring developers?
6. If you’re hiring, where do you live? Are you willing to outsource? (Here's an interesting case study on the example of a specific country.)
7. What is your timeline? What is your budget?

It’s impossible to give a clear-cut answer given how complex the individual needs of each business are. To give you an idea, the software development company Cleveroad estimates that the cost of developing web apps can range from $3,000 for a basic application to around $250,000 for a full-fledged platform.

That’s quite the difference.

Navigating these prices can be challenging. Communities such as IndieHackers or Reddit are great places to get advice and unfiltered opinions from other entrepreneurs and founders to determine whether you’re getting the value for your money.

For non-technical founders who are not afraid to get their hands dirty, there are other options. Have you ever heard of no-code / low-code platforms?

How to build a web application without code?

The term “no-code” refers to tools and technologies allowing users to achieve results previously reserved for developers or code-savvy professionals, such as building websites, creating online communities, or building web apps.

Some of the most popular no-code/low-code tools include:

1. Softr: Platform to create websites, web apps, and client portals using Airtable.
2. Canva: Graphic design tool to easily craft visuals.
3. Airtable: Low-code database platform for building collaborative apps.
4. UserGuiding: User-onboarding platform to create product walkthroughs and guides.
5. Integromat: Integration platform to automate work by connecting apps.

The list goes on. New no-code / low-code platforms regularly pop up on specialized communities such as nocode.tech or Product Hunt and constantly push the limitations previously imposed on non-coders. You can learn more by reading this article on the history of no-code.

To circle back to the topic at hand, it is possible to create a web app without coding knowledge. You’re in the perfect place to learn about it. Let’s take a closer look at Softr.