The days of scheduling appointments or classes by phone and notebook have gone the way of the feather pen and papyrus scroll. Using a scheduling app is now the way of the world.
But with so many scheduling apps and software platforms available, it’s difficult to determine which is the best choice for you. So, we suggest building your own scheduling app.
That’s right — you can make your own app without coding skills and zero technical knowledge dialed into your exact tastes, preferences, and brand. In this article, we’ll show you how to build a scheduling app from scratch.
What You Need To Get Started
First, you’ll need to have a plan before you jump into building your app. So, channel your inner architect and prepare to draw up some blueprints. Before you start, you’ll need the following:
- Visuals of Your App: Don’t worry if you flunked fine arts class. All you need are rough sketches of how your app will appear. You’ll also want to draw out each screen (which is a page of the app) — and then number each screen for reference.
Draw lists, buttons, forms, and other components on their appropriate screens. And if you’re really allergic to drawing, just write in the names of pictures, icons, and other images if you desire.
- Other Features and Functions: What other tasks do you want your app to execute besides scheduling appointments? Do you want to take payments, have a chat function, send discount notifications, or anything else? List these functions.
Then, look at the app sketches you previously drew, determine which screens your functions will appear on, and jot down the corresponding screen number. Doing this will keep you organized and help prevent headaches during the app-building process.
- Access to Adalo: One of the most powerful yet easy-to-use no-code app-building platforms available, Adalo will allow you to create an app that matches your exact tastes and meets your needs.
Adalo’s intuitive and simple drag-and-drop interface lets you build your app by pressing buttons and dragging elements to the building canvas at the center of your screen. You can edit each element, picture, and feature by adjusting it with your cursor.
When you build with Adalo, you can start making your app right after signing up — the interface is that simple to use. The result will be a professional-looking and highly functional app.
App Anatomy: Understanding How a Scheduling App Works
Let’s run through a quick overview of the three parts that make up every app in existence. Knowing your app’s anatomy will help you better understand how it works and simplify the building process.
The following are the three main parts of every app:
- The Frontend: Your app’s users see and interact with the frontend. That’s why it’s also known as the “user interface.” Everything your users will see and touch, like screens, images, buttons, and more, makes up the frontend.
- The Backend: The backend is your app’s command center, working behind the scenes to record data, fetch information, pull up new screens, and connect with third-party apps.
- The Database: Technically, an app’s database is a part of the backend, but it's super important, so it gets its own bullet point. This is because all your app’s data (information) will be stored in its database. Here are just some data types stored in a scheduling app’s database:
- Individual User Data: This includes your clients’ names and other information about them.
- Appointment History: The dates and times each client has scheduled and whether or not they’ve canceled.
- Appointment/Booking Type: The types of appointments that clients schedule. For instance, if you have a hair salon, some clients book a highlighting, others a hair wash, etc.
- Request Info: When a client asks for more information about your offerings, such as how you structure your Brazilian Jiu-jitsu courses.
- Any other data you want: Messaging history, coupon usage, payments, etc.
Many no-code app-building platforms require you to bring your own database with you. This means you’ll need to build your database separately from your app. However, Adalo comes with a built-in database, so you can build yours as you go.
You’ll also be able to add new data types if Adalo’s premade database doesn’t have what you need. For instance, if you want to keep track of your client's improvement in your language course, you can add this field to your database in a breeze.
How To Build a Scheduling App in 7 Easy Steps, Code Free
Step 1: Pick A Template
When you build your app with Adalo, you won’t have to start from scratch — although you can if that’s your thing. But if you’re like most people, get started by using Adalo’s appointments template.
This template will come preloaded with everything you need to create your scheduling app.
Here are some of the screens and components that are baked into Adalo’s appointments template:
- Login and signup screens
- Create a profile screen
- View classes
- Book classes
- Request class details
- Reschedule
While the template is set up for booking a class, you can edit it to schedule or book anything: Spa appointments, Krav Maga classes, a table at a restaurant, and more. Step 2 will dive into configuring your app to how you want it.
Step 2: Transforming the Appointment App Template Into an App with Your Own Look, Feel, and Brand
You’ve got your template, you know its components, and now it’s time for the fun stuff: Customizing your app to your exact taste with Adalo’s intuitive building interface. Get your mouse ready for some dragging and dropping!
The entire screen in front of you is your app-building interface: It’s where all the building takes place.
At the center of the interface is the building canvas, which displays all your app’s screens in a handy map. Arrows connecting to and from the screens will show you which screens open up to others.
The drop-down dashboard on your left-hand side contains the primary tools, symbolized as icons, that you’ll use to piece together your app. You can see each icon’s role by hovering over it with your mouse. Here’s a quick rundown on the functions that these buttons execute:
- Add Screen + Add Component: This button is to you what a paintbrush was to Michelangelo. You’ll press it to add new screens, insert buttons, text boxes, pictures, and more.
- Branding: If you want to change your app’s background colors or font type (Oswald, anyone?), this is the place to do it.
- Screens: Use this to navigate to all the screens on your app. You can also add a new screen with this button.
- Database: This is where you can access and edit your database. Step 3 will explain how your database works.
- Settings: Here, you can rename your app, write meta descriptions for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, add APIs, and give access to team members who are also building your app.
- Publish: This button does what it sounds like. When you’ve finished building, go here to enter the info you need to publish to the app stores. We’ll provide more instructions in Step 6.
- Analytics: Here, you’ll find info about how many daily visitors and downloads your app is getting, the amount of time people are spending on your app, and where your users (or their VPNs) are located.
- Version History: This function allows you to build different versions of your app– Adalo allows you to make up to 10.
Step 3: Customizing Your Template’s Data
Now, it’s time to look under your app’s hood and familiarize yourself with your app’s database. In Adalo, databases have two components. The first is collections, which are groups of data. For instance, they can be classes, appointments, customers, etc.
The second component is properties, which are special features within the collections. Examples of properties in a scheduling app are class types, appointment times, customer preferences, and more.
Editing and customizing your data is easy. Just click on the three vertical dots and select “View/Edit Records.” From there, you can add properties and collections directly to your database.
Step 4: How to Delete Screens and Add Edit Screens
Adalo’s scheduling app template comes packed with all the screens and features you need to make a high-quality scheduling app. But you might want to add a few new screens with functions and features specific to your product.
To delete screens, start by clicking the “Screens” button on your left-hand drop-down dashboard. Find the screen you want to delete, push the vertical dots button, and select “Delete.” Voila, that unwanted screen is no more!
If you want to add new screens, click the colorful “Add Component/Add Screen” button at the top of your left-hand drop-down dashboard. The screen you selected will appear on your building canvas.
To add elements like lists, buttons, or forms, first select your screen from the “Screens” list. Then, press the colorful “Add Component/Add Screen,” find the element you want to add, and drag it over to the screen on your dashboard. An editing box will appear to your left, allowing you to customize your new element.
Step 5: How to Preview Your App
Want to see how your app will appear as a live app while you're building it? Push the green “Preview App” button, select the device (Samsung Galaxy, iPhone, or Desktop) to view, and preview your app as if it were the real thing.
This button also allows you to share your app with others. Just select the option to share, copy the link, and send it to people via SMS. Doing this will help you gather user feedback and test your app.
Step 6: How to Publish Your App in the App Stores
Publishing your scheduling app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store will allow your clients to download it easily. But before you publish in the app stores, you’ll need to prepare your listing. Follow these pointers:
- Create a Stunning Icon: Your app’s icon will appear on the left-hand side of your app’s description in the app store’s search results. Because you’ll compete for attention, ensure your icon stands out and makes people want to click on your app.
Create your own unique icon using an online tool like Looka.
- Write a Compelling App Description: Approach writing your app’s description strategically. First, check out your competition’s app descriptions and conduct a little keyword research. For instance, the nail salon across town might use “manicure bookings” as a keyword.
To reach more users, you’ll want to expand your keywords. For instance, use phrases like “book a nail appointment” or “(your town’s name) manicure services.”
Your app’s description will be the story you tell potential clients to convince them to get your app, so write your description carefully.
- Provide Eye-Catching Screenshots: You should provide professional-looking screenshots that highlight your app’s key features and functions. Well-thought-out pictures will help lure more downloads.
We wrote an in-depth guide that deep-dives into how to market your app, which you can access here.
Both app stores have enormous user bases — a few billion people combined — but each has different requirements and procedures.
Publishing to the Apple App Store
Head over to the iOS developer page and create an account. Complete the steps, and pay the $99 annual fee. Don’t forget to test out your app on iOS using the Testflight program — you can find this on the developer page.
After you’re all set up, return to Adalo’s building interface and click the “Publish” button. Complete all the steps, and go back to the iOS developer page to finish up. Apple has the longest wait time for publishing, sometimes taking up to a few months.
Publishing to the Google Play Store
Just like with Apple, you’ll need to create a developer account on the Google Play Console. Follow Google’s instructions, and pay the $25 one-time fee. You can also have Google users test your app on the Google Play Console.
Then, go back to Adalo’s building interface and follow the instructions from the “Publish” button. Google’s approval time is much shorter than Apple’s: From as little as a few hours to up to a couple of weeks.
Step 7: How to Take Payments
Adalo has a convenient Stripe integration that lets you take payments directly from your scheduling app. Creating this is simple: First, set up a Stripe account. Then, push the colorful “Add Components” button at the top of the drop-down dashboard, and select the Stripe element.
After you finish configuring your Stripe integration, drag it over to the desired screen, and you’re all set to make some (digital) cash!
Next Steps: Getting Users, Tracking and Analytics, Maintenance, and Adalo Resources
Once you’ve finished your app, it’s time to move into the maintenance game — check up on your app’s performance daily by using it yourself.
Whenever your app runs into issues, fix them immediately, or you’ll lose users. Plus, your professional reputation will suffer. Always be on the lookout for issues to ensure you provide the best user experience possible.
Remember to check your app’s analytics every day. This will keep you informed about where your users come from and how many users access your app daily. Also, don’t forget to advertise your app on social media and remind your brick-and-mortar clients to download it.
Adalo Resources
You’ll most likely have a few questions after you’ve started building your app. Don’t fret because Adalo has a robust ecosystem that can provide answers fast:
- Adalo’s Community Forum: Post questions on Adalo’s forum, and get answers from Adalo experts. You can also peruse discussions and learn more about different Adalo functions.
- The Adalo Academy: The Academy offers courses, modules, short lessons, and guides about using the app-building interface, adding integrations, and more. Use this to hone your app-building skills.
- Adalo’s YouTube Channel: Adalo has nearly 70 educational videos on its YouTube channel, covering a variety of topics like how to customize lists and forms, organize your database, how to integrate Chat GPT into your app, and much more.
On the forum and YouTube channel, you’ll also find new features that you can add to your app. Adding new features will keep your app and its user experience high-quality.
With so many resources at your fingertips, combined with Adalo’s powerful app-building interface, you can build the app of your dreams. Have a wonderful building experience!
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