The Startup Project

Module 6: No-Code/Low-Code MVP Building

Transform your designs into a functional MVP using modern no-code and low-code platforms to build faster and more efficiently.

Module Progress0 of 8 tasks completed

Week 1: Platform Setup & Foundation

Set up your chosen development platform and build the foundational structure of your MVP.

Set up development platform

Create accounts and set up your chosen platform (Bubble, Webflow, AppDeck, etc.). Complete initial configuration.

⏱️ 2 hoursBubbleWebflowAppDeck*Airtable📋 Development environment ready

Design and implement database structure

Create your data models and relationships based on your MVP requirements. Set up initial database tables.

⏱️ 4 hoursAirtableBubble DatabaseSupabase📋 Database schema implemented

Implement user authentication

Set up user registration, login, and basic profile management. Configure security settings.

⏱️ 3 hoursAuth0Firebase AuthPlatform auth📋 User authentication system

Build core navigation and layout

Implement the main navigation structure and responsive layout based on your designs.

⏱️ 3 hours📋 Core app structure with navigation

Platform Comparison Guide

No-Code Platforms

Visual development with minimal technical knowledge required

Typical timeframe: 1-4 weeks

Bubble

Web applications with complex workflows

Features:
  • • Visual programming
  • • Database included
  • • User management
  • • API integrations
Limitations:
  • • Performance constraints
  • • Limited mobile optimization
  • • Vendor lock-in
Cost: $29-$349/month

Webflow

Content-heavy websites and simple web apps

Features:
  • • Excellent design control
  • • CMS included
  • • SEO-friendly
  • • Great hosting
Limitations:
  • • Limited backend functionality
  • • No user authentication built-in
Cost: $18-$36/month

AppDeck*

Mobile applications with standard features

Features:
  • • Native mobile apps
  • • Template-based
  • • App store deployment
  • • Push notifications
Limitations:
  • • Limited customization
  • • Template constraints
Cost: Contact for pricing

Low-Code Solutions

Combination of visual tools with some custom code

Typical timeframe: 2-6 weeks

Airtable + Frontend

Data-heavy applications with simple interfaces

Features:
  • • Powerful database
  • • API access
  • • Great collaboration
  • • Flexible data types
Limitations:
  • • Requires separate frontend
  • • Limited real-time features
Cost: $20-$45/month + frontend costs

Retool

Internal tools and admin dashboards

Features:
  • • Database integrations
  • • Pre-built components
  • • Custom JavaScript
  • • Good for CRUD apps
Limitations:
  • • Limited public-facing features
  • • Can look generic
Cost: $10-$50/month

Traditional Development

Custom code development for maximum flexibility

Typical timeframe: 4-12 weeks

Next.js + Supabase

Custom web applications with specific requirements

Features:
  • • Full customization
  • • Great performance
  • • Scalable
  • • Modern stack
Limitations:
  • • Requires development skills
  • • Longer development time
Cost: $20-$100/month + development time

React Native

Custom mobile applications

Features:
  • • Cross-platform
  • • Native performance
  • • Large ecosystem
  • • Code sharing
Limitations:
  • • Complex setup
  • • Requires React knowledge
  • • Platform-specific code needed
Cost: Development time + $99-$299/year app store fees

Development Best Practices

Start Simple

  • ✓ Build the smallest possible version that delivers value
  • ✓ Use platform templates and pre-built components when available
  • ✓ Focus on core functionality, skip nice-to-have features
  • ✓ Don't worry about perfect design - functionality first

Data Strategy

  • ✓ Start with simple data structures, refactor later
  • ✓ Use cloud databases to avoid server management
  • ✓ Plan for data export from day one
  • ✓ Keep user data secure and GDPR compliant

Integration Approach

  • ✓ Use Zapier for simple automations and data sync
  • ✓ Prioritize integrations that save manual work
  • ✓ Test all integrations thoroughly before launch
  • ✓ Have backup plans for critical integrations

Performance & Scaling

  • ✓ Optimize images and media files
  • ✓ Use CDNs for faster content delivery
  • ✓ Monitor performance from day one
  • ✓ Plan migration path if you outgrow your platform

Common Issues & Solutions

Slow Performance

  • • Optimize database queries and reduce unnecessary data loading
  • • Compress and optimize images
  • • Use pagination for large data sets
  • • Consider upgrading to higher platform tiers

Integration Failures

  • • Check API rate limits and quotas
  • • Verify authentication credentials
  • • Test with simple data first
  • • Implement error handling and retry logic

User Experience Issues

  • • Test on different devices and screen sizes
  • • Get feedback from real users early
  • • Use platform debugging tools
  • • Follow platform-specific UX guidelines

Data Management Problems

  • • Set up regular data backups
  • • Implement data validation rules
  • • Use consistent naming conventions
  • • Document your data structure
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