How and Where to Make an App Without Programming

App Creator and Maker: An Alternative to Mobile App Development
June 9, 2017
moble-app-development-process
Understanding Mobile App Development Process
June 13, 2017

Having a mobile app for business means that it will be more accessible for customers. But what if you are just starting up, have no programming knowledge, and little budget to hire mobile app developer? Here is the good news: you can create a mobile app without programming.

Before getting to the more technical part, there are some things that need to be considered. The first one is research. It is a good idea to look at the existing apps related to business. Take note of what works and what doesn’t, and the purpose of your mobile app itself. Is it going to be used as an extension of your service? Are users going to make online purchase or subscription?

Once determine the functions that mobile app needs to have, the next step will be to create a ‘wireframe’, which is a simple sketch of the app design. This wireframe will help you get a sense of the layout and elements’ arrangement of the mobile app. Having these in mind, you are all set to create your own mobile app.

To create an app without programming, there are some alternatives that could be taken. One of the most popular option is to use DIY app-builder. Instead of having to code manually, visual programming is used in app-builder whereby user can simply drag and drop to add page elements. Some of them even provide interactive and animated prototype. A typical app-builder usually allows users to create mobile app in simple steps by first choosing a category of your business (for example: fashion, restaurant, cab) and select a theme for your mobile app. Then, users can start to build your mobile app by choosing the pages that should be included. Examples of common pages are about, contact, and info section, as well as some visuals.

How to Make An App Without Programming

There are all kinds of apps out there. New apps are coming out every day. But they can get expensive to create and programming skills are typically needed to create an app. Users can pay professionals to build apps for them, but at what cost? Now users can build their own apps without needing any coding experience at all. There are multiple app building tools available to help users create their own apps without coding and at a fraction of the cost.

For mobile apps, Appypie.com has some clever ideas of how a user can create an app. A user should come up with ideas on his/her own. What kind of audience is he looking for? He should think of ideas that will speak to a particular audience and start with that. Audiences could be game players, business associates needing specific apps for their businesses or anyone else in need of an app.

The user shouldn’t just stick to one idea, but come up with several ideas at once. While thinking of ideas, the user should categorize them according to “download volume”, amount of revenue desired, competition with other apps, and choose which of those categories would best fit his app (appypie).

There are many reasons a user may want to create an app. Is it for business? Is it for entertainment?

The user needs to decide the motive for building an app. Now, what is the end goal of the app? Knowing the end goal with help the user to determine how often it would be used or how it would be useful to someone else.

Appypie.com also suggests the user to analyze other apps in the market to see what they are doing and what kind of audiences use them. Once the user has a firm idea of what he wants, he needs to write his ideas on paper.

1. He needs to see it in writing (appypie). He should be as precise as possible. With the ideas in writing, they become real and purposeful. The user should send those ideas to someone else for feedback, such as friends or family members.

2. The user needs to start with a framework (appypie). The framework is like a blueprint of the app. It allows the user to see his idea illustrated in an organized way and makes it easier for someone else to review.

3. The use of an “IF-THEN mindset”
helps create a vision behind creating the app. For example, “if someone pushes this button right here, then this will happen” (appypie). An arrow would be used to point to the button. According to appypie.com, the use of the “IF-THEN” function creates meaningful conversation with the customer. Not every feature should be used but only those features that are make apps in turn leads to more actions.
4. Leveraging the wireframe (appypie.com) for continuous improvement helps the user get feedback from others. It explains the purpose of the app. After a few days, the user should follow-up on the feedback. Did it make any sense? Would it attract more traffic? With the feedback received, the user can make any necessary changes and then send the app to more people for additional feedback.

Appypie even recommends the user to send the app to professional app developers to aid with filling in any gaps that remain. He should also ask the professionals for any suggestions on how to improve the app and to address any problems that may be found.
An advantage to receiving outside help is that approvals can be made by professional developers along the way. Disadvantages to using outside help consist of higher costs, lack of originality in creating the app and taking the easy way out by not taking the time to make it unique. The best option is for the user to create it solely on his own and make it his. He can make it exactly how he wants (appypie).

There are 3 recommended steps to making an app:

Step 1-
Choose a design template: Helps with customization.
Step 2-
Add any desired features: Helps to create just the right image for his style.
Step 3-
Publish the app: Send to Android or iPhone app stores “on-the-fly” (appypie.com).

Once the app has been completed, the next step would be for the user to decide how to generate revenue from his app. This could be obtained through paid applications, in-app purchases, advertising, affiliate programs, etc.

In-app purchases allow for digital products to be sold within a specific application. This is probably the best option for receiving compensation.
Ads would be used through the way of banners and video ads. ADMOB and MOBFOX are the most popular networks to help generate revenue.
Promoting an app via the use of “drag and drop” helps with advertising among wide audience groups.
Payment is received through ads or in-app purchases (appypie).
There are many other code-free programs that are designed to help with app building:

 

Nativ
– This a free account. Templates have adesign
tab for layout and background image modifications. A features tab offers different “streams” that can be added to the app, such as facebook, twitter, PDF reader, etc. Once the app is complete, the user can preview everything on the right side of the screen and, if satisfied, click FINISH to publish the app. By default, Nativ publishes the app under their own developers account, but that can be changed to be published

pertinent to the function of the app should be. The “IF-THEN” function also leads to another action, which make apps under the user’s account (Nativ).

Kinetise
– Different pricing plans available.This program gives the option to use widgets such as text, images, videos, etc to build actual apps, not prototypes. Screens can be added and previewed (kinetise).
Bubble
– A free program for general purpose apps. It is a point-and-click app builder for websites.
It is designed specifically for those users with no coding skills at all. There are no templates. Apps are built using pixel. Customizable (bubble).
Pixate
– For designing prototypes. Can add interaction and animation. Recommended for launching or optimizing (producthunt).
Tilda Publishing
– For building beautiful websites and telling stories. A content-oriented site. Can be seen across all devices and looks great! Focuses more on topography and imagery. Can be used to build compelling call-to-action material. Best option for bloggers and building lookbooks
Webflow CMS
– A professional “dynamic” website visual content management system. The user tell is what kind of content is desired. There is even a 3D version available (producthut).
CloudPress
– for WordPress sites.
The list of programs for app building goes on. The user needs to remember to focus on the target audience for his/her app. Taking surveys, researching data from previous studies and audience personas are just a few ways to determine audience types.
The user also needs to determine what kind of budget he or she has for developing an app. What kind of platform, level of functionality or marketing methods are he or she going to use? What kind of deadlines are expected? These are all things to consider before attempting to create an app. The user also needs to make sure the appropriate operating systems are installed prior to starting. With all of these tips in mind, the user will be able to successfully create his or her own app that will stand out.

 

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