Rapid Prototyping for Non-Developers: The Rise of Visual Web App Builders

For businesses looking to turn their app ideas into a functioning mockup in the early design stages, rapid prototyping has become a go-to strategy.

Thanks to the growth of visual web app builders, non-developers can now create their own rapid prototypes by using drag-and-drop functionality. By cutting out the need for time-consuming and costly development work, teams are able to create their own prototypes to refine their design.

As well as this, visual web app builders cut out the need for costly revisions down the line. Since businesses can save up to 70% on development costs by using no-code platforms, there has been a huge jump in the number of users relying on web app builders.

The Importance of Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is the process of creating a functional mock-up of an app during the early stages of the design process. This allows businesses to visualize how their app will work and make any changes before it is built.

The main aim of rapid prototyping is to quickly build an interactive version of the app with minimal investment. This can help speed up the entire process since all members of the project can get a clearer idea of how the finished product will look and give any feedback in the early stages. This will inevitably save a lot of time and money down the road since the development team won’t have to keep making changes once the app has already been built.

Rapid prototyping is becoming increasingly common as more and more businesses look to create custom apps. The graph below shows just how quickly the rapid prototyping market is growing year on year, with an expected reach of over $21 billion by 2034.

How Visual Web App Builders Offer New Opportunities

When it comes to rapid prototyping, visual web app builders are becoming a go-to. They allow users to build apps visually using a drag-and-drop interface that makes designing an app quicker than ever.

The web app builders have a large range of modules that users can browse through to create an interface which aligns with their intended design. Since the modules have already been developed, the user does not need to have any coding knowledge and can build their own web app in a fraction of the time.

As well as offering basic app modules such as contact forms and multimedia blocks, many web app builders are offering advanced dev features such as payment processors and database integration. This approach can save businesses a lot of money since they do not have to invest in experienced developers.

From the initial rapid prototype to the final product, non-developers being able to create functional apps that can be used to enhance their business opens up endless opportunities. Since they can purely focus on design and usability, apps can be built from a user experience perspective rather than a development one.

The Limitations of Rapid Prototyping Without Dev Knowledge

Although visual web app builders are a huge step forward for small businesses who are looking to create custom apps on a budget, it is not without limitations. Here are some of the main drawbacks of rapid prototyping without dev knowledge:

• Lack of creative freedom: When a design team has spent time brainstorming how their new web app will look, it can sometimes be tricky to bring the vision to life. Since visual web app builders mean selecting from a range of already developed modules, it can be frustrating if there are no options that closely align with the intended design.
• Tied into the visual web app builder: When an app is created using a builder, all of the frameworks and modules are designed to work together. Although this allows non-developers to easily create well-functioning web apps with ease, it does mean that if they wish to add external widgets, move over to a different builder, or host the app thesmelves, it can require added costs or complex changes.
• Not designed to grow with a business: Building rapid prototypes on visual web app builders is a popular approach for many small businesses that lack the expertise and budget to have a custom app built. Although it provides a great solution initially, it can become tricky as the business grows and wishes to expand the capabilities of its app since they’re restricted by the options on the app builder.
• Difficulty addressing any performance issues: One of the biggest challenges non-developers face when they have built an app without any coding knowledge is the occurrence of technical issues. If the app is not functioning as it should, the team of creators will lack the technical expertise that is needed to find a solution and get the app back up and running.

Best Practices When Using Visual App Builders for Rapid Prototyping

For non-developers looking to bring their app ideas to life through rapid prototyping, here are some best practices that can help ensure the process is as straightforward and productive as possible…

• Define the objectives

  Before getting carried away with a visual web app builder, it is important to take a step back and consider what the goals of the app are.

  The target audience of the app and the problem that the app needs to solve should be at the forefront of the project, considering what is going to make people want to use the web app in the first place.

  By having a strong set of objectives to work with, the app can be built around the needs of the target audience to stay clear of unnecessary features and overcomplications.

• Brainstorm user flows

  To create a strong user experience that makes it easy to navigate the web app, user flows should be carefully considered and mapped out before getting started on the builder.

  Establishing what each part of the app will be used for and how different pages will be linked will create a more well-thought-through interface that improves usability. This will prevent user confusion and frustrations that could result in lost customers.

• Consider the key features

  Less is often more when it comes to web apps. Since they are designed to provide functionality separate from a website, they should maintain a concise design that helps users carry out their desired action quickly and easily.

  Whether the main purpose of the web app is to manage bookings, provide customer support, or allow users to log into their personal accounts, the rapid prototyping process should focus on bringing the core features to life.

• Carry out regular testing

  One of the key purposes of rapid prototyping is getting constructive feedback early on in the process. At various stages, different members of the team should have access to the prototype to test its functionality and suggest any improvements that could be made.

  Once the prototype has been refined from an internal perspective, it should also be presented to people who fit the target audience, whether they are friends, family, or paid testers, to see whether the design appeals to them and addresses a common pain point.

• Think ahead

  Even if a visual web app seems like it is good to go, creators need to consider whether the app is designed to last.

  Businesses need to think about how the needs of the app would change as the business grows and whether the current design would offer potential to scale.

  By considering the future of the business and establishing what growth opportunities are possible through the web app, it can become more than a short-term solution.

The Future of Visual Web App Builders

Visual web app builders have opened up endless new possibilities for non-developers who are looking to create web apps without having to splash out on expensive development work.

Now that web app builders can be used to create rapid prototypes in a fraction of the time, small businesses are able to compete in such a competitive digital world.

As time goes on, the capabilities of popular visual web app builders continue to grow and offer new functionalities for users. This is expected to continue improving and open up new possibilities for non-developers looking to enhance their online presence.