Best way to make a simple app (simple/broad question - sorry!)

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Hi there,
I am by profession a frontend web/graphic designer with some knowledge of JS, jQuery, php and MySQL.

I am wanting to create a simple-ish app in which:

  • allows users to register/login
  • once logged in, they can add an item to a new list (checkbox with a label) - think of this as a shopping list
  • when they have found their shopping list item, they tick off the item and the item(s) become stroked through - can be done with css.
  • I want the user to be able to save this “list” - as a name and date
  • I want the user to be able to add a loyalty card (to another section) which can then be linked to the shopping list to use in store once they have done their shopping

You probably get the idea and the idea has been done many times before, but I am new to app dev and thought I could create my own personalised version.

What would be the best way to start building this? Should I design the “screens” as frontend HTML/CSS pages? And then add in functionality?

I have seen many “app builders” out there - are there any good free ones I can trust or aren’t scams etc?

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks!

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Hi, you’ve basically got three options. Option one is to build everything yourself using the tools you already know—PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS, and a bit of JavaScript. That means handling the user login system yourself (or using something like Laravel to help with that), designing your screens in HTML and CSS, adding a bit of interactivity with JavaScript, and saving everything to a MySQL database. If it was me, I’d go with this route. You already know the tech, it’s cheap (just the cost of hosting) and you’ll learn a lot by wiring everything together. You can use ChatGPT to help you when you get stuck. And once it works, you can make it better: clean up your code, add polish, maybe bring in a framework later if you want.

Option two is to use a backend-as-a-service like Firebase. In that setup, you’d still build your front end with HTML and JavaScript, but Firebase would take care of authentication, storing your data, and even hosting your app. It’s got a generous free tier, and it’s much quicker to get something working. But you’re relying on Google’s ecosystem, and if your app grows, the costs can add up.

Option three is to use a no-code or low-code app builder like Thunkable, Glide, AppGyver, or Adalo. These let you build the whole thing through a visual interface without touching much code, and some of them are surprisingly powerful. But they tend to be mobile-focused, and while they all have free tiers, you usually need a paid plan (starting around £20 a month) to publish anything properly or unlock the features you actually need.

So yeah, it really comes down to what you want out of this. If it’s a personal project or a learning exercise, build it yourself. If you want to get something working quickly and don’t mind being tied to a platform, Firebase is solid middle ground. And if you’re just trying to throw something together without writing much code, an app builder might get you there fastest, but it’ll cost you.

3 Likes
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Start with your HTML/CSS screens! You build your front end, then add the dynamic JS, then link to the back end with PHP/MySQL.

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Since you already know HTML/CSS and have some backend knowledge, the best place to start is by sketching out the user flow: login, creating a list, checking off items, and linking a loyalty card. Once you’re clear on the structure, build a few static pages for each screen using HTML and CSS. This gives you something visual to test early and helps you spot layout or UX issues before diving into the backend.

For the backend, you could use something simple like PHP and MySQL to manage user accounts, saved lists, and loyalty cards. If you’re comfortable learning a new framework, Laravel or Node.js with Express could give you more structure and scalability.

In terms of free tools, if you’re looking to prototype quickly without coding everything, platforms like Glide, Adalo, or even Bubble are worth exploring. They’re legit and can help you test your idea faster, but they come with limitations. You’ll have more control and flexibility building it yourself.

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