How to Create Web Applications Without Code

Many of us are brimming with web application ideas we want to bring to life, but the journey there can be tough, especially if you lack coding expertise. That’s why online learning tools like 100DaysOfNoCode exist to help you build software and applications without needing to write a single line of code.

What is a web application?

A web application is simply an interactive platform accessible through the internet, such as Canva and VEED. They’re usually created using web development technologies like HTML or JavaScript — but this doesn’t always entail writing the code yourself. For example, you can learn the basics of building a no-code marketplace without having to learn code.

Web applications allow users to perform tasks online, such as:

• Customer relationship management
• Marketplace management
• Data analysis
• Sending emails
• Purchasing products
• Converting files
• Editing photos
• Sharing documents

Different types of web applications

Static web application

A static web application will always show the same kind of content for every visitor and can only be changed by manually editing the application’s build. So, it’s best for static web apps to have few pages that don’t require frequent updates.

Dynamic web application

A dynamic web application personalizes its display for different users according to things like their location. For example, depending on where you are, the currency on ecommerce sites can change.

Dynamic apps also personalize their pages based on a user’s actions. For example, Facebook’s homepage shows a different display for each user based on their friends and groups they follow.

Single-page applications

Single-page applications don’t reload entire pages every time an action is performed by a user. Instead, only sections of the page are loaded, making response times much quicker.

Multi-page applications

Multi-page applications reload entire pages when users perform an action in order to showcase new web pages.

Examples of web applications created without coding knowledge required

100DaysOfNoCode - online campus for no-code education

100DaysOfNoCode is an online learning platform that teaches people how to create websites, software, and web applications code-free. We provide the knowledge and tools needed to get you started on your no-code journey.

Flexiple

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Flexiple is a freelancer platform, where you can hire expert developers and web designers to help you build your web application. Freelancers are screened and evaluated to make sure only the best talents are available on the site.

Teal

Teal is a job search tool that allows you to organize your job hunt by bookmarking job boards, keeping track of your job applications, and highlighting keywords to make finding relevant jobs easier.

Chara

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Chara is a health service that allows you to connect with health specialists so you can receive expert guidance and better your wellbeing.

Why are no code applications important?

Leverage potential of internal resources

No code applications don’t require experts to build, so you can use your internal employees to build the application instead of having to hire any specialists from outside your company.

Speed: decrease time to market

Building applications without code means a much speedier creation process — code can take a lot of time to write and perfect.

Lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Since no code applications take less time to create, it also means less labor and resources are required. Overall, the cost of making the web application is much lower than if code were involved, which means you can make the application cheaper for customers to use.

How to create web applications

Step 1: Source an idea

It all starts with an idea, so start brainstorming web application concepts. Think about gaps in the market or common customer problems you can solve.

Examples can include:

• Creating an ecommerce platform for a product that lacks delivery options
• Helping users build their own tools in a fast and simple way
• Providing expert advice through online courses

Step 2: Research your target market and competition

Next, research your competition and identify your target audience. Understanding the needs of your audience can inform you on how to best design your web application. You should also include features that make you stand out from your competitors.

For example, you can research customer complaints about your competitors, and think of ways to improve those issues in your application. If customers dislike your competitors’ cluttered UI, make sure your application has a clean and simple UI.

Step 3: Define the required functionality

It’s finally time to make a decision about what functions/features your application needs. For example, if you’re creating a marketplace, you will need:

• Profile pages
• Payment portal
• Service categories
• Messaging system

You should also consider ways to ensure sensitive information is protected and have a customer support portal in case users encounter issues with the app.

Step 4: Work on the Design

Now you have to actually design the app’s interface. Sketch out the menu and different web page layouts. Make sure to consider which elements are interactive, and what actions they perform. For example, clicking the banner takes you to the homepage. You can also find UI templates to work from online.

Sketch

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Sketch is a design tool that allows you to prototype your website using various customization options, such as vector editing and design templates. You can also share your prototype with others to receive feedback.

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Figma

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Figma is a design tool by Adobe and offers many features for easy web design, such as pen tools and auto layouts. You can also collaborate with different people on the design using their multiplayer editing feature.

Step 5: Prototype Your Web App

Once you’ve got the design down, begin prototyping your web application by creating a basic build. Include all the main features and web pages to test out its functionality. You can leave out some design elements in this stage — your main goal is to get the features working as intended and solve any errors that pop up.

Use 100DaysOfNoCode to learn how to create a quick and easy build without the need for coding. They can connect you with the right tools to use. 

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Bubble

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Bubble is a no code platform that helps you create web applications for both desktop and mobile browsers. It takes care of hosting for you and doesn’t hard limit your data storage or number of users.

Webflow

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Webflow offers a no code website builder so you can build beautiful web applications and even collaborate with other people on the design.

Step 6: Validate Your Prototype

Release your prototype to the public as an experimental build to get some exposure and garner support. You can briefly discuss your vision, and ask for feedback from users to see how you can further improve and expand the app.

Step 7: Build the front-end

Now it’s time to polish up your app to give it a more professional look. Begin by making your interactive elements and overall aesthetic visually-appealing. Add things like infographics and banners to attract attention, and decide on a color scheme that’s easy on the eyes. You should also make sure that your font is simple-to-read and matches your aesthetic.

Step 8: Test and troubleshoot

Finally, it’s time to do a final test of the entire web application. Test out all your features and interactive elements to see if they work. You can use a debugging tool to quickly discover errors in your build. Fix those errors, and test your application again to make sure the issue has been resolved.

Step 9: Go live!

At last, you’re ready to launch your web application on a custom domain for everyone to use.

Conclusion

Creating a web application is no easy feat, especially for more complex designs. There are many elements to consider, including both the functionality and the aesthetic of your app. For those who have little to no coding experience, creating a web application is still feasible with the help of 100DaysOfNoCode, which provides extensive No-Code courses on web development.

‍Browse our free bite-sized lessons or apply to our bootcamp today to start your No-Code journey.