Thread by @melsreallife

The WOW App Build Breakdown –

Thread – Building my first #nocode App.
1/
Lots of (awesome) people reached out asking the how/what about @thewow_app build so I wanted to break it all down here.

2/
The basics:
I used:
@AdaloHQ to build the app
@airtable + @googlesheets for the database
@makerpad for help & tutorials
@stripe for tipping feature
@useloom for promo/ video stuff

3/
Costs:
The total cost of the app was:
USD$237 - (for me AUD$350)
@AdaloHQ - $50 (per month)
@makerpad – $39 (per month)
@airtable - $free plan
@AppStore developer - $99
@GooglePlay developer - $39
@useloom - $10 (per month)

4/ Time:
It took 17 hours to build the actual app, inc making some brand elements (like the background monogram) watching tutorials & the data entry. It then took another 10 hours to set-up and publish the apps on both stores.

5/ Time:
I found google play & Appstore harder than making the app itself. (might be just me??). I spread the build over about 2.5 weeks because it's school holidays in Australia & I was at the beach with my son!! 🏖️ #Priorities

6/ Details of app build.
@airtable / Database –

I’m a fan of @airtable, the hybrid between database & worksheet works for me. The plugin to @AdaloHQ was actually really easy thanks to @tomosman tutorial on @makerpad - The data entry itself is not as simple.

7/ database cont -
Linked sheets don’t translate into Adalo so even if your sheet is all linked & awesome, it won’t mean it will be in the app. . In the end , to achieve the search function I wanted I needed to move my data to a .csv and upload it into Adalo.

8/ database cont -
My conclusion is that if you have an app that has user generated data – use @airtable, it’s an awesome instant db. If not – just use @googlesheets or excel it’s easier.

9/ Search -
@tomosman helped me figure out the search function. I tried maybe 6 attempts before asking! Once I got it, I then realised that the “search” box can be used as any kind of call to action type function. So, I tested that theory out by creating a “tips” page.

10/WOW Tips
I’m a big fan of creating ways to monetise without any need to subscribe/ hand over personal info. I think tips are a fun way to interact with an audience. So.. I figured that you could use the search field to link the @stripe plugin inside to build this.

11/ To my surprise it actually worked. I’m going to do a tutorial for the search function setup + using it for tips inside your app and post it to @makerpad later in the week Make sure you’re signed up there for all the details (+ all the other amazing #nocode community stuff!)

12/ You can check out a preview version of the app, plus test my tip function (yes, that means paying me a tip!!) via this QR code. On the search page, hit experts in the bottom then “wow tips”! Now it’s up to both apple & google to publish the actual app before it goes live!

13/ Here is the preview link, incase the QR didn't work.
previewer.adalo.com/9d62843c-fd2c-…

14/ Final Thoughts - I built this app just to see if I could do it & bc I LOVE the idea of #nocode. The possibility are limitless when the cost of entry is so low. I think nocode will revolutionise who can build what & it's just beginning.

Pls ask if you have questions!!
/End