Email overload can make it hard for employees to stay focused. A message board app solves this by offering a single platform where teams can share updates, post announcements, and collaborate more effectively. Research shows that 81% of employees prefer open communication over perks, and informed employees are 2.8x more engaged, driving 23% higher profits for companies.
You don’t need coding skills to create this app. With platforms like Adalo, you can build a fully functional message board in days using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Adalo supports PWAs and native iOS/Android apps, all from one build. Here's how to get started:
- Plan your structure: Decide how to organize channels (e.g., by department or topic) and gather branding materials.
- Set up your database: Use Adalo’s relational database for users, messages, and channels.
- Design the interface: Build login screens, message boards, and input sections with Adalo’s visual editor.
- Add features: Enable posting, editing, and push notifications for real-time updates.
- Test and launch: Preview the app, optimize performance, and publish it as a PWA or native app.
With Adalo, you can create a reliable, interactive communication tool that improves team engagement without relying on endless email threads.
5-Step Process to Build an Employee Message Board App with Adalo
Step 1: Set Up Your Database in Adalo
Your database is the backbone of your message board app - it's where every post, conversation, and user detail is stored in an organized way. In Adalo, the database is built using Collections (which work like spreadsheet tabs) and Properties (similar to columns) that define the type of data stored in each record.
Adalo's relational database is designed to handle complex setups, like team structures and user permissions, without needing an external backend. To get started, you'll create essential collections for your app and link them together so data flows smoothly between users, channels, and messages.
Create Collections for Users and Messages
When you sign up for Adalo, a Users collection is automatically created. While you can't delete it, you can customize it to fit your app's needs. Add fields like Full Name (Text), Email (Email), Profile Photo (Image), and Role (Text). For the Role field, you can use values like "Admin", "Manager", or "Employee" to manage permissions for posting or commenting.
Next, create a Messages collection by clicking "+ Add Collection" in the database section. Include the following key properties:
- Message Text: Set to Multiline Text for longer posts.
- Created Date: Use Date & Time with Automatic settings to timestamp each post.
- Edited Date: Another Date & Time field to track updates.
- Is Edited: A True/False property to mark if a message has been modified.
- Author: A relationship property linking back to the Users collection to identify who wrote each message.
For better organization, add a Channels collection to group messages by department or topic. Include fields like Channel Name (Text), Description (Text), and Is Private (True/False) to limit access to sensitive channels. These three collections - Users, Messages, and Channels - form the core of your message board's structure.
| Collection | Essential Properties | Property Type |
|---|---|---|
| Users | Full Name, Email, Role, Profile Photo | Text, Email, Text, Image |
| Messages | Message Text, Created Date, Edited Date, Is Edited, Author | Multiline Text, Date & Time (Auto), Date & Time, True/False, Relationship (Users) |
| Channels | Channel Name, Description, Is Private | Text, Text, True/False |
Next, you'll connect these collections to enable threaded conversations and create a seamless user experience.
Set Up Relationships for Threads and Replies
Relationships are what tie your collections together, allowing data to move seamlessly between them. To enable threaded conversations, you'll need to link the Messages collection to itself using a self-referencing Many-to-One relationship. Create a relationship called Parent Message within the Messages collection, then rename the reciprocal property to Replies. This setup allows one message (the parent) to have multiple replies, similar to comment threads on social media platforms. It's perfect for creating real-time, interactive conversations.
Next, connect the Channels collection to Messages with a One-to-Many relationship. In the Messages collection, label the relationship Parent Channel, and in the Channels collection, name the reciprocal field Messages. This ensures every message is tied to a specific channel.
Finally, establish a Many-to-One relationship between Messages and Users. This allows one user to create multiple messages, while each message is linked to a single author. You can even set the Logged In User as the default Author when users submit new messages through forms.
As a best practice, rename these relationship fields immediately after creating them to avoid confusion down the line. Instead of generic names like "User" or "Message", use descriptive labels like "Author" or "Parent Message." Also, keep in mind that the first property in any collection acts as its label in Adalo's builder. Choose unique identifiers like "Message ID" or "Username" to make your records easier to manage.
Step 2: Design the User Interface
Now that your database structure is ready, it’s time to bring your app to life by designing a user-friendly interface. This is where employees will interact with your app, so it’s important to make it intuitive and visually appealing. Adalo’s drag-and-drop visual editor makes this process straightforward, allowing you to create professional-looking screens that align with your brand.
The Editing Dashboard includes an "Add Components" button, letting you easily drag elements like forms, buttons, text boxes, and images onto your canvas. The best part? Changes update instantly, so you can preview how your app looks on web, iOS, and Android devices. Since Adalo automatically adapts your design for different platforms, there’s no need to rebuild layouts from scratch for each one.
Build Login and Signup Screens
Start by designing entry screens for logging in and signing up. These screens should be simple yet engaging, featuring your company’s logo and clear navigation options. Begin with a Welcome Screen, which serves as the app’s entry point. Place your logo at the top and include two buttons: Sign Up and Login. Set this screen as the default landing page so employees see it first when they open the app.
For the Sign Up screen, drag a Form component onto the canvas and connect it to your Users collection. Include fields for Email (with built-in validation), Password (securely displayed), and Full Name. Configure the submit button to perform the "Sign Up User" action, which automatically creates a new user record and logs them in. For the Login screen, use Adalo’s pre-built Login Form component and set the button action to "Log In User."
You can customize the app’s look using the Branding button (the artist’s palette icon) in the Editing Dashboard. Choose a primary color - like a deep blue for a professional touch - and a secondary color for action buttons. These colors will apply across all screens, creating a consistent visual theme. For added security, set generic error messages to avoid revealing sensitive information.
Build the Main Message Board Screen
Once user authentication is set up, shift your focus to the main screen - where employees will spend most of their time communicating. This screen should be clean, functional, and easy to navigate. At the top, add a Header Section to display the current channel name (e.g., "#general"), a brief description, and utility icons for search and settings.
Below the header, include a List component connected to your Messages collection. Filter the list to show messages from the current channel and sort them by timestamp in ascending order. Each message should display a circular 40x40 profile image, the author’s bold username, and a timestamp (e.g., "Today 2:30 PM"). Ensure the message text is set to multiline so longer posts wrap naturally. To enhance interactivity, add "Reply" and "Reaction" icons that appear when a message is tapped.
At the bottom of the screen, create a Message Input Section. Include a multiline text input field with a placeholder like “Message #general” and a Send button. Configure the input to auto-focus when the screen loads, and set the send button to create a new message, clear the text field, and scroll the list to the bottom. For a better user experience, set the message list to refresh automatically every 8–10 seconds, ensuring conversations stay up to date without straining performance.
From here, you can begin adding real-time messaging features and notifications to enhance communication within the app.
Step 3: Add Core App Features
Now that your interface is ready, it's time to bring your message board to life by adding the core features. This step focuses on enabling employees to post and edit messages and setting up notifications to keep everyone in the loop.
Enable Message Posting and Editing
To allow users to post messages, configure the Send button to create a new message record. Here’s what you’ll need to set up:
- Text Content: Pull this from the input field.
- Author: Assign it to the Logged In User.
- Conversation: Link it to the current context.
- Timestamp: Set this to the Current Time.
Once the message is sent, clear the input field to keep things tidy.
For editing, add an Edit icon next to each message. Make sure only the original author can see it. When clicked, this icon should open a modal with a pre-filled text input showing the current message content. Set up the Update button to modify the existing message record, ensuring only the original Author can make changes. To reflect edits, add an Edited property (True/False) to your Messages collection. When a message is updated, set this property to True and display a small "(edited)" label next to the timestamp.
Want to make conversations more dynamic? Add a File Picker next to the text input. This allows users to attach documents or images to their messages. Also, enable the Load items as user scrolls feature in your message list settings. This prevents lag as the number of messages grows.
Set Up Push Notifications
With posting and editing in place, the next step is to keep users informed in real time. Ask for notification permissions during signup or on the welcome screen.
To send notifications, configure your Send button to include a Trigger Notification action after creating a message. Set the recipient to Multiple Users, filtering by the relationship between the Messages collection and the conversation's participants. Exclude the Logged In User so the sender doesn’t get notified about their own post. Use Magic Text to personalize the notification’s title and body, such as:
- Title: "New message in #[Conversation Name]"
- Body: "[Author Name]: [Message Text Preview]"
For native iOS and Android apps, you can define a Target Screen so that tapping the notification takes employees directly to the relevant conversation or thread. Keep in mind that Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) will always open to the home screen when notifications are clicked. Push notifications require a Professional plan or higher, starting at around $52 per month.
"Adalo doesn't support native real-time messaging. You'll need to implement workarounds using manual refresh, push notifications, or third-party WebSocket components." - The Adalo Team
Adalo processes over 20 million data requests daily with 99%+ uptime, ensuring your notification system stays reliable as your user base grows. If you encounter issues - such as notifications working on Android but not on iOS - try deleting the notifications key in your Apple Developer account and then push a fresh build.
Adalo simplifies deployment by allowing you to publish your app as a PWA and as native versions for iOS and Android, all without the need for rebuilding for each platform.
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Step 4: Test and Optimize the App
Before launching your app, it’s crucial to test it under realistic conditions. This helps identify potential issues and improve its performance for a smooth user experience.
Test Using Adalo's Preview Mode
Start by clicking the Preview button in the top-right corner of the Adalo editor. This opens your app in a web browser, allowing you to interact with it just as your users will. Use the screen size toggles to ensure the app’s design adapts well across different devices.
To simulate real-world usage, create 10–15 test accounts with various roles, such as Admin, Moderator, and Member. Populate the app with sample messages across channels to mimic actual data usage. This setup helps you identify performance bottlenecks. For example, test the entire new user flow - from signing up to joining a board and posting a message - and ensure it completes within 2 minutes. Also, log in with different user roles to confirm that non-admin users cannot access admin-only features. Simulate poor network conditions and test with multiple simultaneous users to evaluate stability under stress.
You can also gather feedback by using the Share button to generate a link or QR code. Share this with colleagues who don’t have Adalo accounts. Their input on usability and navigation might reveal issues you’ve overlooked. If your app includes near-real-time messaging with an auto-refresh feature, set the refresh interval to 8–10 seconds. This strikes a balance between keeping messages updated and maintaining good performance.
Once you’re confident the app functions well in Preview mode, move on to optimizing its database and load times.
Improve Database Queries and Load Times
Optimizing performance is key, especially as your app scales. If you notice delays when a channel contains more than 100 messages, consider implementing pagination. For example, configure your message list to display only the latest 50 messages, with a "Load Earlier Messages" button for older content. Use relationship filters to load only relevant data - such as showing messages specific to the current channel.
For media-heavy apps, enable lazy loading for images and use smaller thumbnail versions for profile pictures. Add loading indicators like spinners or skeleton screens to improve the user experience during data fetches. If certain screens lag, break down complex workflows into simpler steps. Tools like GTMetrix and Lighthouse can provide performance scores (ranging from 0–100) to help you track and refine your app’s speed.
Make sure to test your app with a realistic amount of data to ensure smooth scrolling and navigation. Always save a version of your app before making significant changes, so you can easily revert if something goes wrong.
Adalo makes deployment straightforward. You can launch your message board as a progressive web app or distribute it natively through the iOS and Android app stores - all from the same codebase.
Step 5: Publish and Deploy the App
After testing your app, it's time to make it accessible to employees. Adalo makes deployment straightforward, allowing you to publish your message board across multiple platforms. Whether you choose a Progressive Web App (PWA) for quick browser-based access or native apps for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, both options run from a single codebase. That means no need to rebuild when switching platforms.
Deploy as a Progressive Web App (PWA)
PWAs are the quickest way to get your app live. Employees can access the message board through a simple link or QR code and even add it to their phone's home screen - no app store approvals needed. However, Adalo subdomains (like yourteam.adalo.com) only support desktop web apps. To publish a PWA, you'll need a custom domain.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Purchase a domain (usually costs between $10 and $45 per year).
- Go to Settings > Domains in the Adalo Builder.
- Enter your custom domain (e.g.,
app.yourcompany.com) and update the required CNAME records with your DNS provider. - Click Test Setup to verify. This process usually takes under 30 minutes but can take up to 24 hours.
- Once verified, select your custom domain under the Progressive Web App dropdown in the Publish menu and click Save.
After publishing, share the app link or QR code via email, Slack, or your company intranet. With Adalo’s Manual Publishing feature, you can make updates or fix bugs in a draft environment and push changes live without disrupting access for employees.
"As the only app builder to publish on every platform, build your app once - publish it everywhere, all with the click of a couple of buttons." - Adalo
If you’re looking for additional features like hardware integration, consider publishing as a native app.
Publish to iOS and Android App Stores
Native apps offer more advanced functionality, such as access to device hardware like GPS or cameras. To publish on the Apple App Store, you’ll need to join the Apple Developer Program ($99 per year). Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:
- App assets: bundle ID, version number, category, app icon, and launch screen.
- A listing in App Store Connect, including the app name, privacy policy URL, and pricing details.
- Screenshots for devices ranging from 4.7-inch to 12.9-inch displays.
Once everything is ready, use Adalo’s Publish button to generate your build. Before submitting, invite up to 10,000 testers via TestFlight to identify bugs and gather feedback. Apple reviews 50% of submissions within 24 hours and 90% within 48 hours.
For the Google Play Store, you’ll need to create a developer account (a one-time $25 fee) through the Google Play Console. Follow the publishing instructions, enable testing options if necessary, and use Adalo’s Publish button to submit your app.
Keep in mind a few key requirements for compliance:
- Starting April 2026, iOS apps must use the iOS 26 SDK or later.
- Include a privacy policy URL and complete the "App Privacy" section in App Store Connect to generate a Privacy Nutrition Label.
- Ensure your app is fully functional and provides a unique experience beyond a mobile website.
Here’s a quick comparison of platform costs and review times:
| Platform | Initial Cost | Recurring Cost | Typical Review Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | $99 | $99 / year | 24–48 hours |
| Google Play Store | $25 | None | A few weeks |
Once your app is approved, employees can download it directly from the App Store or Google Play Store. Native apps generally deliver better performance than web apps by leveraging the device’s local processing power.
Conclusion
The steps outlined above show how no-code development can simplify creating an internal message board. By following these five steps, you could have a fully functional platform up and running in just days or weeks.
Adalo’s drag-and-drop builder, known for its reliability, makes app creation straightforward for both beginners and experienced users. Whether you’re building a solution for 50 employees or 5,000, your message board will be ready to scale.
"If you can make a slide deck, you can make an app." - Adalo
Start with the free tier to test your message board with a small pilot group. Once you’ve confirmed the design and features work well, consider upgrading to a paid plan (starting at $36–$45/month). This unlocks additional features like custom domains, push notifications, and app store publishing. No-code tools make updates quick and easy - most changes go live within minutes and don’t require resubmitting to app stores.
Whether you deploy your app as a PWA or native iOS/Android apps, you can manage everything from a single build. Use these tools and insights to improve your team’s communication and boost productivity right away.
FAQs
What makes a message board app better than email for internal communication?
A message board app acts as a central hub where updates are instantly visible to everyone. No more digging through crowded inboxes or losing track of critical information in endless email chains. Whether it’s an important announcement, a policy update, or a project milestone, everything is easily accessible in one place. Plus, employees can quickly browse or search through past posts, cutting down on clutter and saving time.
Unlike email, which often overwhelms with lengthy back-and-forth threads, a message board keeps things simple and organized. It encourages quick feedback and informal discussions in a single, streamlined space. With instant notifications, employees stay informed in real time, while the app’s searchable archive ensures that nothing gets lost. This mix of speed, clarity, and convenience makes message boards a smarter choice for internal communication.
How can I keep employee data secure and ensure privacy when building the app?
To safeguard employee data and maintain privacy in your internal message board app, here are some essential practices to consider:
-
Use HTTPS for secure connections: Ensure all data exchanged between users and your servers is encrypted by implementing
https://. This protects sensitive information from being intercepted. - Enable strong authentication: Require users to sign in with email-based credentials, enforce strong password policies, and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Restrict user permissions: Set up role-based access controls, allowing users to access only the features and data necessary for their specific roles. This minimizes exposure to sensitive information.
- Encrypt stored data: Secure messages and user profiles by encrypting all data stored in your app’s database. This adds an extra layer of protection in case of a breach.
- Monitor and audit activity: Regularly review access logs to detect unusual behavior and update user permissions periodically to avoid granting excessive access.
- Be transparent about data use: Clearly explain what data is collected, how it’s used, and obtain user consent before storing personal information. Transparency builds trust and ensures compliance with privacy expectations.
By putting these measures into practice, you can create a secure environment for your app that prioritizes employee privacy and aligns with U.S. standards for data protection.
How can I publish my internal message board app as a web and mobile app?
To make your app available as both a Progressive Web App (PWA) and native iOS/Android apps using Adalo, here's what you'll need to do:
- Finish building your app: Ensure all features - like screens, authentication, and notifications - are fully set up and functional in the Adalo builder. Double-check everything is ready to go.
- Access the Publish section: Open the Publish tab in Adalo, where you'll find the options to publish for web, iOS, and Android.
- Publish as a PWA: Select Publish to Web, choose a domain (either a custom domain or Adalo's subdomain), and confirm. Once published, users can easily add the app to their home screen directly from their browser.
- Submit to the App Store for iOS: Connect your Apple Developer account, fill in the app details (like the name, icon, and bundle ID), and submit the app for review to the App Store.
- Publish on Google Play for Android: Link your Google Play Console account, provide the required app information, and upload the APK or AAB file to Google Play for submission.
The best part? Once your app is live, you can make updates in the Adalo builder anytime and republish effortlessly across all platforms. This ensures users always have the latest version without interruptions. It's a simple way to create once and share everywhere.
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