How to Create an App Using Webflow: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are people who know how to create apps and there are those who don’t. However, the number of people having a hard time developing apps using Webflow is A LOT; we can bet on that. Wait! Webflow can develop apps now?

Webflow is widely known as a web design, development and content management platform. At least that’s what everyone knows of Webflow. But those who have mastered Webflow already know that Webflow can also help you develop an app. 

Yes, it’s not going to be a Native mobile application. However, you can create a WebApp and convert it into a native application later. 

Let’s shed some light on how you can develop an app using Webflow.

The Truth About Building Native Mobile Apps with Webflow

Webflow isn’t designed to create native mobile apps– be it for iOS or Android. However, there are certain ways or hacks to create a web-based mobile application easily. 

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Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

Webflow allows you to create websites and web apps. You can save these web apps on your mobile device’s home screen.  

You can optimize your Webflow project as a Progressive Web App. This will allow you to provide a more app-like experience to your users. 

The best thing about PWAs is, they work offline. Not to mention, it can get access to device hardware like cameras and geolocation. You can add this to the home screen without going through any installation process.

Hybrid App Development

Webflow itself doesn't directly support native mobile app development; that’s true. However,  you can use hybrid app development frameworks like Apache Cordova (PhoneGap) or React Native to wrap your Webflow-based web app in a native app shell. 

This allows you to distribute your web app as a native app through app stores. You may need to do some additional coding and integration work when using this approach.

Custom Development

If you have specific requirements for a native mobile app, you might need to consider custom app development using native programming languages. 

We’re talking about programming languages like Swift for iOS or Java/Kotlin for Android. You can also use cross-platform development tools like Flutter and Xamarin. 

In this case, you can use Webflow as a design and prototyping tool to create the visual design and layout of your app. Then the actual app development will be a piece of cake for you. Just use the appropriate mobile app development tools and languages.

How Can I Develop an App Using Webflow?

Now, here’s the answer to the big question. There are 2 ways to develop apps using Webflow. 

• Develop a WebApp. All you need to do is, create a normal web design using Webflow. Make sure you’ve set the width and height in the key page for the mobile interface. For integration, you’ll find tools like Airtable and Zapier pretty handy. 
• Develop a WebApp. Once you’re done, you can turn it into native mobile applications. It’s easy; just go for what we’ve told you in point 1 above. Then, contact a developer team or Webflow Agency. With their help, you can turn the WebApp into a native mobile application. 
  Or, you can try no-code tools that will convert the WebApp to a native mobile application for you. 

Why Should You Use Webflow to Develop an App?

Here are some reasons why you should create an app using Webflow. 

You Don’t Know Coding? No Worries!

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Tell you what? You don’t have to write those complicated codes if you want to create an app with Webflow.  Meaning, you don’t have to pull your hair once in a while. Plus, it’s a great advantage for small business owners and designers who may not have in-house development resources.

Visual Design and Prototyping

Webflow provides a visually intuitive interface for designing and prototyping your app. You can drag and drop elements, create animations, and design complex layouts using a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor.

Responsive Design

Webflow supports responsive design out of the box. With this, your app will look stunning and function well on devices by fitting in, regardless of the size of the screen.  You can customize your design for desktop, tablet, and mobile views.

Customizable Interactions

As we’ve said before; there’s no need for you to write codes. And this applies to creating an amazing user experience as well. 

With Webflow's interactions and animation features, you can create custom user experiences without coding. This allows you to design engaging and interactive apps that enhance user engagement.

Integration Capabilities

Webflow can integrate with various third-party services and tools through Zapier or custom code. You can connect your app to databases, e-commerce platforms, and other services to enhance functionality.

Hosting and Scalability

Webflow offers hosting for your app, which simplifies the deployment process. The platform is also capable of handling scalable solutions. No wonder it’s suitable for apps that need to grow as user demand increases.

E-commerce Features

If your app involves e-commerce, Webflow has built-in e-commerce functionality. You can create and manage online stores, product catalogs, and shopping carts directly within the platform.

Collaboration Tools

Webflow supports collaborative work on your app. The best part — it allows multiple team members to collaborate on design and development. This can be a valuable feature for teams working remotely.

SEO Optimization

You’re getting a range of tools and features to optimize your app for search engines. You can control meta tags, headers, and other SEO-related elements to improve visibility in search results.

Content Management

Webflow includes a content management system (CMS) that enables you to easily manage and update the content on your app. This is particularly useful for apps that regularly publish new content or updates.

Client Handoff

Webflow allows you to export code if you need to work with developers. This ensures a smooth transition from design to development when needed.

Community and Support

Webflow has an active community and provides support resources, including tutorials and forums, to help you with any challenges you may encounter during app development.

Wrapping Up!

So, that was pretty much everything. Now, the two methods we talked about are pretty much easy to get your job done.  

As for the apps, since Webflow won’t design a native mobile app for you directly, going for the web-based apps is the only way. These include productivity tools, to-do lists, small games, booking tools, etc. So, why not try out Webflow for web apps today?