9 ms·

Show HN: Hackable No-Code Tool for MVPs

23 points by mion 6y ago

mion 6y ago
I'm one of the founders of Abstra, a hackable no-code tool focused on making MVPs quickly aimed at coders (not necessarily developers). Could you please share some feedback? Anything is extremely valuable, thanks!
- AbuAssar 6y ago
  Would you please provide other means of joining abstra, other than just google?
  - mion 6y ago
    We have implemented this today, you can now use email & password. Please give it another try!
- narrationbox 6y ago
  Are the sites created responsive?
  - felipereyel 6y ago
    yes
  - mion 6y ago
    Yes, they're fully responsive. We use Flexbox underneath and no absolute positioning (which is actually a limitation for now).
- andrem 6y ago
  Hello, nice looking product and great copy. 2 points: 1. Make your screenshots english too, keeping the code structure and copy consistent. Unless you want to highlight i18n. But seeing Portuguese and English mixed sticks out to someone like me with a mildly severe case of OCD. 2. Can you mention the language I can use to hack or export the source code in? I assume it’s javascript but spelling it out at least once on the frontpage seems appropriate. Good luck with it!
  - mion 6y ago
    Thank you for the details! This is excellent, going straight into our backlog. :)
- hchua 6y ago
  Hi, this looks really cool - slick UI and clear value proposition. Great job! Just a couple of questions: 1) why the emphasis on “for MVPs”? It seems like it can be used to build a proper product long term. Adding “for MVPs” make it seem like end users should expect to redo whatever they’ve done if they get any traction. 2)How does this compare to Retool (or how do you intend to differentiate it)?
  - dinkleberg 6y ago
    Retool is a cool product but it’s for a different use case. Retool is for building internal applications, this is for building MVPs. And I assume they are focused on MVPs because you aren’t going to run a $10m company on a no-code solution, you’re going to have your own devs. But using a tool like this can help you build your business while you get to that point.
  - mion 6y ago
    1) It is in fact possible but as noted previously, most people still wouldn't feel comfortable running their core business long-term on this kind of tool. However, no one worries about running their business on AWS and in fact our infrastructure is on top of them (like Heroku). So we need to grow a bit more before people are OK with that :) 2) Retool is tailored at internal tools, so you can't quite customize the UX as you'd want for something that is touching end users. Besides, it's quite expensive for the MVP use case because they price per user (we don't, our pricing page is coming soon).
    - Closi 6y ago
      I would prefer to use this sort of things for longer term but non-core functions (e.g. back office). I agree with OP that it's a weird use case, as a focus on short-term MVP may limit user retention if you actually succeed (or is the idea that people will accidentally start to use it long term?).
- mister_hn 6y ago
  Hi, the idea seems interesting, but my 2 cents feedback: Allow people to use the product _without_ requiring a login, especially using third-party authentication mechanisms like Google OAuth or FB one. I do respect my own privacy and data, how do you threat users like me?
  - mion 6y ago
    Thank you so much for the detailed feedback, this was flying under our radar. We just went with Google for simplicity because it was easier to implement and didn't realize lots of users would dislike it. We have now implemented email & password and should add anonymous login soon!
zubairq 6y ago
As the creator of appshare.co I would say that this is a really nice landing page. You made it very clear, and made me try the product. Well done!
- mion 6y ago
  Thank you so much!! :) What aspects of the design did you find more appealing?
  - zubairq 6y ago
    I liked the small sections that quickly showed me that this could be something useful, like the "Actions and custom code" with the simple picture on the side. It made me try the product for sure.
zaplin 6y ago
First of all I have no coding background. I like creating projects so I find the no-code movement very valuable. Abstra seems like a low-code to me. Maybe that is what you mean "hackable no-code"? (edit: you mention low-code in your landing page) If that's the case, and since the lingo in the no/low-code movement is already established, maybe it's better to use it so people have a better understanding of what they can do with your platform, faster. Trying to create a project fast, I can quickly understand there is a learning curve required. At least steeper than other platforms. It would be very valuable if the first thing that happens when I log in for the first time is a walkthrough. Also, give some pre-made templates so people can modify those to their need. And by doing that they will learn the platform. First impression is that I don't quickly understand if what I can create with abstra is websites, Saas, mobile apps, etc. -All the best!
- mion 6y ago
  Awesome feedback, perfect. We're working on templates and onboarding! Currently we only do web apps (no mobile apps), we will adjust our copy based on your response. Thank you!
Closi 6y ago
What’s the pricing model? I can’t see any mention on the site.
- mion 6y ago
  We're about to put it online, we will have a freemium tier with a cap on performance/data/etc. Then a basic plan for $6/mo with less cap, and so on. Pro = $84/mo * all plans have unlimited editors * all plans have unlimited end users You'd only pay more if your MVP is picking up traction in exchange for more performance, but your apps always run regardless.-
  - Closi 6y ago
    That's incredibly competitive to be fair to you, the unlimited end users point is a great point of differentiation too.
    - mion 6y ago
      Thanks a lot! We're really trying to make a tool for people to create JAMstack apps on, so we're basically just charging on per value on our abstractions and just enough to cover the cost for AWS. If you're a coder and are willing to do an user testing interview, we'd love to chat and demo our features! You can see my email in my profile. Cheers
mister_hn 6y ago
I would have been cool if there was no required login/account at first, just checking around what's all about and performing a firs demo. Especially when for login it's required a Google account. Nope.
- mion 6y ago
  We're noticing lots of people are disturbed by this and we're really sorry! We have implemented Email & Password auth since then, please give it another try :)
ctb9 6y ago
I would need an example project (the final product and template inside the tool) to give this a try. As it stands you just get dumped into the builder with no guidance whatsoever. I wanted to evaluate the tool, but there's no way I could dedicate that kind of time to something I didn't know existed 5 minutes ago without even knowing what it's capable of building. Surely you have made something complex and impressive with it, right?
- mion 6y ago
  Absolutely, this is a great point. We were working with B2B clients previously so we could "get away with" not having proper onboarding/documentation. We're working hard on this and we'll have something close to what you mentioned soon! Stay tuned :)

23 points by mion 6y ago

mion 6y ago

I'm one of the founders of Abstra, a hackable no-code tool focused on making MVPs quickly aimed at coders (not necessarily developers). Could you please share some feedback? Anything is extremely valuable, thanks!

AbuAssar 6y ago
Would you please provide other means of joining abstra, other than just google?
- mion 6y ago
  We have implemented this today, you can now use email & password. Please give it another try!
narrationbox 6y ago
Are the sites created responsive?
- felipereyel 6y ago
  yes
- mion 6y ago
  Yes, they're fully responsive. We use Flexbox underneath and no absolute positioning (which is actually a limitation for now).
andrem 6y ago
Hello, nice looking product and great copy. 2 points: 1. Make your screenshots english too, keeping the code structure and copy consistent. Unless you want to highlight i18n. But seeing Portuguese and English mixed sticks out to someone like me with a mildly severe case of OCD. 2. Can you mention the language I can use to hack or export the source code in? I assume it’s javascript but spelling it out at least once on the frontpage seems appropriate. Good luck with it!
- mion 6y ago
  Thank you for the details! This is excellent, going straight into our backlog. :)
hchua 6y ago
Hi, this looks really cool - slick UI and clear value proposition. Great job! Just a couple of questions: 1) why the emphasis on “for MVPs”? It seems like it can be used to build a proper product long term. Adding “for MVPs” make it seem like end users should expect to redo whatever they’ve done if they get any traction. 2)How does this compare to Retool (or how do you intend to differentiate it)?
- dinkleberg 6y ago
  Retool is a cool product but it’s for a different use case. Retool is for building internal applications, this is for building MVPs. And I assume they are focused on MVPs because you aren’t going to run a $10m company on a no-code solution, you’re going to have your own devs. But using a tool like this can help you build your business while you get to that point.
- mion 6y ago
  1) It is in fact possible but as noted previously, most people still wouldn't feel comfortable running their core business long-term on this kind of tool. However, no one worries about running their business on AWS and in fact our infrastructure is on top of them (like Heroku). So we need to grow a bit more before people are OK with that :) 2) Retool is tailored at internal tools, so you can't quite customize the UX as you'd want for something that is touching end users. Besides, it's quite expensive for the MVP use case because they price per user (we don't, our pricing page is coming soon).
  - Closi 6y ago
    I would prefer to use this sort of things for longer term but non-core functions (e.g. back office). I agree with OP that it's a weird use case, as a focus on short-term MVP may limit user retention if you actually succeed (or is the idea that people will accidentally start to use it long term?).
mister_hn 6y ago
Hi, the idea seems interesting, but my 2 cents feedback: Allow people to use the product _without_ requiring a login, especially using third-party authentication mechanisms like Google OAuth or FB one. I do respect my own privacy and data, how do you threat users like me?
- mion 6y ago
  Thank you so much for the detailed feedback, this was flying under our radar. We just went with Google for simplicity because it was easier to implement and didn't realize lots of users would dislike it. We have now implemented email & password and should add anonymous login soon!

zubairq 6y ago

As the creator of appshare.co I would say that this is a really nice landing page. You made it very clear, and made me try the product. Well done!

mion 6y ago
Thank you so much!! :) What aspects of the design did you find more appealing?
- zubairq 6y ago
  I liked the small sections that quickly showed me that this could be something useful, like the "Actions and custom code" with the simple picture on the side. It made me try the product for sure.

zaplin 6y ago

First of all I have no coding background. I like creating projects so I find the no-code movement very valuable. Abstra seems like a low-code to me. Maybe that is what you mean "hackable no-code"? (edit: you mention low-code in your landing page) If that's the case, and since the lingo in the no/low-code movement is already established, maybe it's better to use it so people have a better understanding of what they can do with your platform, faster. Trying to create a project fast, I can quickly understand there is a learning curve required. At least steeper than other platforms. It would be very valuable if the first thing that happens when I log in for the first time is a walkthrough. Also, give some pre-made templates so people can modify those to their need. And by doing that they will learn the platform. First impression is that I don't quickly understand if what I can create with abstra is websites, Saas, mobile apps, etc. -All the best!

mion 6y ago
Awesome feedback, perfect. We're working on templates and onboarding! Currently we only do web apps (no mobile apps), we will adjust our copy based on your response. Thank you!

Closi 6y ago

What’s the pricing model? I can’t see any mention on the site.

mion 6y ago
We're about to put it online, we will have a freemium tier with a cap on performance/data/etc. Then a basic plan for $6/mo with less cap, and so on. Pro = $84/mo * all plans have unlimited editors * all plans have unlimited end users You'd only pay more if your MVP is picking up traction in exchange for more performance, but your apps always run regardless.-
- Closi 6y ago
  That's incredibly competitive to be fair to you, the unlimited end users point is a great point of differentiation too.
  - mion 6y ago
    Thanks a lot! We're really trying to make a tool for people to create JAMstack apps on, so we're basically just charging on per value on our abstractions and just enough to cover the cost for AWS. If you're a coder and are willing to do an user testing interview, we'd love to chat and demo our features! You can see my email in my profile. Cheers

mister_hn 6y ago

I would have been cool if there was no required login/account at first, just checking around what's all about and performing a firs demo. Especially when for login it's required a Google account. Nope.

mion 6y ago
We're noticing lots of people are disturbed by this and we're really sorry! We have implemented Email & Password auth since then, please give it another try :)

ctb9 6y ago

I would need an example project (the final product and template inside the tool) to give this a try. As it stands you just get dumped into the builder with no guidance whatsoever. I wanted to evaluate the tool, but there's no way I could dedicate that kind of time to something I didn't know existed 5 minutes ago without even knowing what it's capable of building. Surely you have made something complex and impressive with it, right?

mion 6y ago
Absolutely, this is a great point. We were working with B2B clients previously so we could "get away with" not having proper onboarding/documentation. We're working hard on this and we'll have something close to what you mentioned soon! Stay tuned :)