Can You Build an App With Webflow?

Webflow has positioned itself as the leading low code/no code tool for creating marketing websites, making the entire web design and development process much faster without limiting the creative freedom of those building the site. While hundreds of thousands of users used it for websites, few have dared consider Webflow app development so far.

It’s true: the number of browser-based apps (also known as web apps) has increased recently, as many people prefer not having to install apps on their devices, as they have proved practical for various purposes. 

In fact, many of us are already using at least one web app on a daily basis. For example, you may have logged in to your banking web app to check how much money you have left in your account.

Suppose you need a website with advanced functionalities for users that require developing an actual app. In that case, you might be able to use Webflow, and we’ll explore the available options in this article. 

Please bear in mind that Webflow is still in the early stages of providing app development options, as the team working on it wants to ensure the process is as seamless as building websites.

Reasons to Consider Building an App

Building an app is more than just presenting your business to potential customers. Instead, it allows you to remain of service to the customers in the long run, proving a great tool for customer retention, customer loyalty, and audience building. Of course, a web-based app might as well be a natural extension to your business that makes the entire busines operation process streamlined.

Having an app also has a marketing purpose, as it creates a direct marketing channel for your customers so that you can offer them special sales, promos, and deals at the tip of their fingers.

Moreover, targeting information for individual customers becomes more accessible if they become users of your web-based application. It also has a positive impact on your brand awareness and customer engagement, especially if it’s built as part of your customer support team.

Most importantly, a web-based app will make your business stand out from the competition, particularly if your competitors don’t have it. Simply put, if your business can build better customer loyalty and attract more customers with an app compared to other similar ventures, it’s a reason good enough to consider making an app.

Building an App vs. Building a Site

Whether your website is a simple one-pager or an e-commerce site with thousands of items, Webflow will be able to help with it. Its thoughtful approach made the website-building process super-quick. However, when it comes to apps, things get a bit hazier.

At the moment, Webflow is at the beginning of its journey of making it possible to build more complex web applications. Hence, building one such app and keeping its code clean is only possible up to an extent, as Webflow lacks features that could make that happen.

Of course, if your app isn’t too complex, adding simple pieces of data is relatively easy with Webflow, and even sophisticated data sets is getting more accessible with the use of additional tools that provide a great workaround for building an app with Webflow. 

Building an app can also be kickstarted if you decide to use one of the fitting templates.

Additional Tools

So, you’ve decided to build an app with Webflow. The first thing you need to take into account is the additional tools that you’re going to use to make it happens. Let’s look at some of the most popular options used by designers and developers who rely on Webflow for app building.

• Zapier — Zapier is one of the most popular tools for automating workflows, as it allows you to integrate 5,000 different applications in your business process. For example, you can use Webflow to automate the sending automating emails to app users when they use your web app. For this, you’d have to integrate a suitable tool using Zapier.
• Airtable — Airtable combines the features of a spreadsheet and a database. It makes building powerful custom apps with virtually no code and can be integrated with Webflow.
• Memberstack — If your web app has a membership backend, you can easily integrate this feature via Memberstack, which is built primarily for Webflow users. In other words, you will be able to allow visitors to become members of your app and use all other features of such an approach. For example, you can offer paid membership features for users who decide to subscribe to your app.
• Firebase — Firebase provides hosting services for all types of applications. A real-time communication server is available, along with NoSQL and real-time hosting of databases, content, notifications, and social authentication.
• Outseta — Outseta is a comprehensive platform offering membership and SaaS businesses to launch quickly. It’s often described as a subscription business Shopify-like service, as it makes it easy to integrate subscription billing, help desk, email marketing, and more. When used correctly with Webflow, it can pave the way for complex web apps for marketing purposes.
• Magic — Security matters in web apps as much as in every other website, and Magic can help with it by providing SDK for various login methods. It’s especially suitable for anyone who aims to build a web3 app.

Apps Built With Webflow

Even though you’ll see thousands of popular websites built with Webflow, you might as well check out the apps created with Webflow’s assistance.

• Scoop — A simple tool for tracking the whereabouts of your co-workers in order to sync better with them.
• Giggster — A booking tool for film and event locations.
• Mo — Modern employee engagement software aimed at hybrid-work teams.
• Freeplay — A membership platform for 88 different gyms (all included in a single membership).
• Flow — A Pomodoro timer tool designed for Apple products.

Build Your App with Webflow

So, what are the benefits of building a web app with Webflow? For starters, the process is not more difficult than building a standard website. Moreover, you’ll get to use all the other features of Webflow that you would use for standard website building, including various tools that are a part of Webflow Designer, Webflow Editor, and more. 

Still, you will have to include at least a couple of additional tools to get the app right. The good news is that Webflow aims to make the app-building process much more intuitive and not that different from site building, but it’s still at the start of its journey.

If you think Webflow can help you build an app, you can join it and explore most of its capabilities for free, switching to paid plans only if you want to work on complex projects. Feel free to get in touch with Flow Ninja if you require professional assistance with building your website or app on Webflow.