This document provides 10 practical tips for testing an app concept without coding experience, based on experience building software for enterprises, non-profits, and startups. The tips include scoping the app by planning data and flow objects like in real life instead of starting small, building wireframes instead of mockups, and leveraging external services instead of building everything from scratch. The document also recommends resources for wireframing, design guidelines, no-code app building, and integrating services.

1. Tech 4 Non-Techies
Dos and Don’ts for Developing Your App

2. 10 practical tips
for testing your
app concept
Based on our experience...
Building software for a variety of clients:
Enterprise platforms e.g. Dividend Finance,
McKinsey, Standard Textile
Non-profits e.g. Teach For America, Imagine
H20
~60 startups across various industries
Doing this without coding, as MBAs without
technical backgrounds

3. (1) Before the build
Do:
Work in a space you have intimate knowledge of, and passion for
Don’t:
Pursue a clever idea for a “this for that”

4. (1) Before the build
Do:
Commit to iterations with fixed timeline and budget
Don’t:
Commit to a single product vision

5. (1) Before the build
Do:
Spend time developing the few first customers first
Don’t:
Be everything to everyone

6. (2) Scoping your app
Do:
Plan the Data and Flow objects - just like you describe things it in real life
Don’t:
Start with small picture e.g. one page and work backward

7. (2) Scoping your app
Do:
Build Wireframes
Don’t:
Build Mockups

8. (2) Scoping your app
Do:
Research existing sites
Don’t:
Think from scratch

9. (3) Design and build
Do:
Build Responsive Web Apps
Don’t:
Build Native Apps from the start

10. (3) Design and build
Do:
Leverage external services (e.g. email/SMS, customer support, payment,
artificial intelligence)
Don’t:
Build it all from scratch

11. (3) Design and build
Do:
Limit yourself to 3 colors, 3 font formats, and equal spacing/padding
Don’t:
Get creative with formatting

12. (3) Design and build
Do:
“Build for Granny”: minimize clickable elements, create a single flow
Don’t:
Overload users with information exceeding their attention span

13. Useful No-Code Resources
Making wireframes - myBalsamiq
Design guidelines - Google Material Design
Building apps without code - Bubble
Integrating with services - Zapier, Blockspring, RapidAPI
Also check out:
Startup Stash - a good list of tools to use across all mvp aspects

14. Thank You
Questions ?