How to Build a Delivery App Without Coding

Building a delivery app from scratch traditionally requires months of development time, a team of skilled programmers, and a significant financial investment. For entrepreneurs and small business owners eager to tap into the booming delivery market, these barriers can feel insurmountable—especially when you lack coding experience or a technical background.

That's where Adalo comes in. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can bring your delivery app vision to life without writing a single line of code.

Why Adalo Is Perfect for Building Your Delivery App

Launching a delivery app used to mean hiring developers, managing multiple codebases, and spending months in development. Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, changes that equation entirely. With a single build, you can publish to web, the Apple App Store, and Google Play Store—reaching customers on every platform without writing code or managing separate versions.

Having your delivery app available across all major platforms is essential for reaching customers wherever they are. With Adalo, you can leverage push notifications to alert customers when their orders are confirmed, out for delivery, or arriving soon—keeping them engaged and informed every step of the way. The platform's drag-and-drop interface has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," while AI-assisted features promise to accelerate building even further. Now let's dive into exactly how you can build your own delivery app from scratch.

How To Build A Delivery App: Getting Started

Before you start creating your delivery app, you'll need a plan. Just like when a carpenter begins working on a house, you'll need a blueprint and all the necessary materials on hand.

Before you learn how to create a delivery app, make sure you have the following:

• A membership to Adalo: You'll use Adalo to create your delivery app. Over 3 million apps have been created on the platform, making it one of the most proven app builders available today. If you can turn on a computer and sign up for a social media account, you're more than skilled enough to use it. Adalo features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that serves as your primary building tool. You'll use your cursor to drag elements—forms, buttons, icons, and anything else you want—onto a building canvas. The platform also connects with third-party tools like Stripe for payments or Twilio for sending text messages to your clients directly from your app.
• Sketches of your delivery app: If your drawing skills never progressed past stick figures, don't worry. All you need are rough mock-ups of how you want each screen to appear and where you'll put features like buttons, forms, and images on each screen.
• A list of your app's features: You'll need a geolocation feature because you'll be delivering goods or food from your brick-and-mortar to your clients. You'll also need an integration with a payment platform like Stripe.

What other features do you want to showcase? Adalo has loads of them—like an e-sign feature for clients who need to sign for their goods, a chatbox for communication between your company and client, and many more.

Understanding How Your Delivery App Will Work

Learning how to create a delivery app requires first knowing an app's components. Knowing these will help you better understand how your app will function.

All apps have the following three parts:

• The Frontend: Your clients will see and use your app's frontend, also called the "user interface." All your app's visual pieces—screen color, text boxes, pictures, and more—are part of the frontend.
• The Backend: The backend is your app's brain and central nervous system. When a user submits an order on the front end, the backend brings the order to your team so they can start working on delivering it. The backend also pulls up user profiles, connects with third-party platforms, and more.
• The Database: Technically a part of your backend, all your delivery app's data will be stored in your database. Here are some examples of data a typical delivery app might have:

• Client Info: Names, physical and email addresses, order history, etc.
• Product Data: Each product listed on your app, pricing, quantity, etc.
• User Data: A record of how long your clients spend on your app.
• Purchase Data: Best-selling items, the total amount of revenue per item, etc.
• Other Data: A record of client communication, special offers data, etc.

Don't worry about knowing how to create your own database. Adalo comes with its own database that you can configure—and paid plans include unlimited database records, so you won't hit storage caps as your delivery business grows. If you already have a database with Google Sheets, Airtable, or Xano, Adalo easily integrates with them. The platform's SheetBridge feature even lets you turn a Google Sheet into an actual database for the easiest control without database-related learning curves.

How To Make a Delivery App: 7 Steps for Building a Delivery App without Code

Now that you have your plans, Adalo membership, and knowledge about an app's parts, it's time to construct your delivery app!

This building guide provides enough detail to let you hit the ground running. However, you'll probably have some technical questions during your app-building journey.

Adalo's got you covered: It has an enormous ecosystem filled with guides, video tutorials, helpful documents, and more. These resources can help you overcome almost any issue you encounter:

1. Adalo's Forum: If you have questions about using specific tools, post them on the forum. An experienced Adalo user will respond quickly.
2. The Adalo Academy: With over 70 lessons on using specific tools, building certain features, and using advanced components like APIs, Adalo's Academy will help you level up your app-building acumen.
3. Adalo's YouTube Channel: Packed with over 150 videos, you'll learn how to add components, integrate with other apps, and more.

Let's go!

Step 1: Select a Delivery App Template

Adalo has a selection of nearly 40 templates, including a special delivery app template. This template comes with everything you need to make your delivery app. Here's a rundown of the main features included:

• A Signup Page: Let your regulars order easily by creating a profile that takes their name, address, and credit card details so they can execute transactions with just a few button presses.
• Menu Page: Your clients will see and select your goods from this page. Once they've finished picking items, they'll hit confirm and be directed to the checkout page.
• Checkout/Ordering Page: This is where people see all the goods in their order and pay for their orders. Customize this to allow non-signed-up users to set their location.
• Orders Page: Only you can see the orders page, which is the master list of all your app's orders.

For those who want to start even faster, Magic Start can generate complete app foundations from a simple description. Tell it you need a delivery app for a local bakery, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically—what used to take days of planning happens in minutes.

Step 2: How to Customize Your App To Your Exact Tastes

Now it's time for the real fun stuff: Using Adalo's intuitive building interface to make your app unique. You'll see a drop-down dashboard on the left side of your screen. This is your building interface's toolbox.

In the center of your screen is your building canvas. It displays your app's screens and shows how each screen is connected to the others with arrows—Adalo can display up to 400 screens at once on a single canvas, giving you a complete view of your app's architecture. At your screen's very top is the navigation bar, which lets you toggle between projects, access your profile, and see how your app appears live.

Back to Adalo's toolbox on the left-hand side of your screen. It has 8 different tools, shown as icons. Hover above each one with your cursor to see its role. Starting at the top of the dashboard, here are the jobs each one will carry out:

• Add Screen/Add Component ("+"): This builds new screens, adds buttons, pictures, text boxes, and much more—it has the most functionality for creating your frontend out of all the buttons.
• The Branding Button (appears as artist's palette): Press this to change your app's colors and fonts.
• View Screens: This function shows a list of all your screens. Using this function, you can quickly navigate to your desired screen.
• Databases: Press this to access your database, where Adalo records and saves all your business's and clients' info. We'll do a database deep dive in Step 3.
• Settings: Press this to name your app, write a short description, add an app icon for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and connect APIs.
• Publish: Press this button to launch your app. You'll only use this function after you've finished making your app and are ready to publish it to the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and the web. We'll talk more about publishing in Step 6.
• Analytics: Press this button to see stats about your app. These stats include the daily number of users and where they're from, the most popular screens so you can predict your next best seller, and more.
• Version History: Work on other versions of your delivery app here. You can only publish one, but you can have up to 10 versions. This allows you to test different features to publish the best possible version of your app.

Want to add a feature without navigating menus? Magic Add lets you describe what you want in natural language. Type "add a customer reviews section" and the AI generates the component, connected to your database and ready to customize.

Step 3: Customizing Your Data

As mentioned earlier, your delivery template will come with a pre-packed database.

Adalo's database is made up of two components: Collections and properties.

Collections are groups of data that appear like an Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet, with vertical-dropping columns and horizontal-running rows. For instance, the delivery template has five collections: Users, order items, menu items, and more. You can customize the name of each collection to suit your business needs.

Properties are the vertical-dropping columns in each collection; their data is stored in horizontal-running rows. Properties for the "Menu Items" collection include menu item names, prices, descriptions, pictures, and more.

To customize your database, click on the collection to open up a drop-down bar for each collection's properties. You can type in new property names and even add entirely new properties by clicking "Add Property" at the bottom of the list.

With Adalo 3.0's infrastructure overhaul, the platform is now 3-4x faster and scales infrastructure with your app's needs. This means no record limits on paid plans—your delivery app can grow to serve millions of customers without hitting database ceilings. The X-Ray feature identifies performance issues before they affect users, helping you maintain smooth operations as order volume increases.

Step 4: Adding New Screens, Elements, and Features

Although Adalo's templates include everything you need, you can create or delete new screens. You can do this by pressing the "Screens" button on your left-hand side's drop-down bar.

If you want to delete a screen, find the one to bid farewell to on your "Screens" list. Press the "vertical dots" button and select "Delete." Then, that screen will be gone.

Adding new screens is just as simple. Click the "Add Component/Add Screen" ("+") button at the top of the drop-down dashboard. Press "Add Screen," and you'll be given a menu of different screen types to add. Select the one you want, and it'll appear on your canvas.

Putting on buttons, forms, lists, pictures, and other elements is a breeze. Hit the "Add Component/Add Screen" button and find the element you need—you also have the option to upload pictures from your computer here as well. Then, drag the element over to your canvas. Easy peasy.

Step 5: Previewing Your App

After you've put in some elbow grease, you'll probably want to see how your app appears live. Go to your navigation bar, select the "View App" button, and click "Staging Preview" from the menu.

You can choose to view your apps from different device screens, like an iPad, Galaxy S20, or iPhone 13 Pro. Click through your app as if it were live.

Ready to share your app with a few friends? From the "View App," select the "Share Your App" option. You can send your app to people via SMS or just send them the link. They can download or visit your app using browsers on their desktops, phones, or other mobile devices.

Step 6: Publishing to the App Stores

You should publish your delivery app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to get it in front of billions of users.

You'll need to follow these three steps when publishing to the app stores:

1. Create an Eye-Grabbing Icon: Once your app is listed on the app stores, you'll want it to stand out. Create a unique icon that reflects your business's brand and grabs attention. You don't need to be a graphic designer—just sign up for a service like Looka and build your icon yourself.
2. Write a Smart Meta Description: Before launching your app, search for "delivery apps" on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Read the top 3 listings' meta descriptions and be on the lookout for keywords. Weave the keywords you find into your meta description. Ensure your description clearly and concisely describes all your app's features so your audience knows precisely what it gives them.
3. Upload Head-Turning Screenshots: Include professional-looking screenshots showing your delivery app's top features to get more downloads. Poor-quality screenshots will reflect poorly on your professional reputation.

How to publish to the Apple App Store

First, go to the iOS developer web page and sign up. After filling out the form and paying your $99 annual iOS fee, you can test your app using Testflight. This program allows Apple users to test and provide feedback about your app. Implement any necessary changes that testers suggest.

Next, on Adalo's building interface, select the "Publish" button. After finishing the steps, follow the iOS developer page's final directions. You can expect your app to be available in the Apple App Store in as little as a few weeks and as much as a few months.

How to publish to the Google Play Store

To create a developer account, go to the Google Play Console website. Pay the $25 one-time fee and fill out the instructions. Just like with Apple, Google has an option for letting users test your app on the Google Play Console. Opt-in for this and take the testers' feedback into consideration.

Go back to your Adalo account, press the "Publish" button, and follow Adalo's instructions. You'll be happy to know that Google's waiting time is much shorter than Apple's—only up to a few weeks max.

One major advantage: Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. When you update your app, those changes deploy to web, iOS, and Android simultaneously. Platforms that use web wrappers for mobile—like Bubble's mobile offering—require managing separate deployments and can introduce performance challenges at scale.

In need of more information about publishing to the app stores? We wrote an in-depth guide that outlines how to publish and how much it might cost.

Step 7: Taking Payments

Helpfully, Adalo has Stripe integration, allowing you to take payments directly from your app. You can set up this payment feature in minutes by setting up a Stripe account.

After you're set, return to your Adalo account, press that colorful "Add Components" button, and find the Stripe form in the menu. Click on it and fill out the needed info. Then, drag the form over your payments screen, and you're good to go!

Unlike some platforms that charge usage-based fees that can lead to unexpected bills, Adalo plans include unlimited usage—no bill shock as your delivery orders increase. Starting at $36/month, you get app store publishing with unlimited updates to your published apps.

Next Steps: Getting Users, Tracking and Analytics, Maintenance

Now that you've published your app, you'll need to attract users and ensure it's always humming like a well-oiled machine. Getting users beyond your loyal customers and social media followers is a long game that requires daily effort. Check out our strategy guide for marketing your delivery app to get more app downloads.

Create the habit of checking your analytics daily. Doing this will give you a better understanding of your users and what app features they enjoy most. If your app has issues or users report problems, fix them immediately. Your app should always function flawlessly.

With Adalo's modular infrastructure capable of scaling to serve apps with millions of monthly active users, your delivery app can grow from local startup to regional operation without platform migrations. The X-Ray feature helps you identify and resolve performance issues proactively, keeping your customers happy as order volume increases.

Building a delivery app takes some time, but with this guide, you can do it entirely on your own, with no coding required. Happy building!

FAQ

Question	Answer
Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?	Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically.
What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?	Adalo's drag-and-drop interface combined with AI-assisted building features like Magic Start and Magic Add lets you create a complete app in hours rather than months. The platform handles the App Store submission process, so you don't need to navigate Apple's complex requirements alone.
How long does it take to build a delivery app?	Using Adalo's delivery app template and drag-and-drop builder, you can have a functional delivery app ready in a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on customization needs. Magic Start can generate your app foundation in minutes, significantly reducing initial setup time.
Do I need coding experience to build a delivery app?	No coding experience is required. Adalo's visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint." You drag and drop elements onto your canvas, and the platform handles all the technical implementation behind the scenes.
How much does it cost to build a delivery app with Adalo?	Adalo's paid plans start at $36/month, which includes app store publishing with unlimited updates. You'll also need to pay Apple's $99 annual developer fee and Google's one-time $25 fee to publish to their respective stores.
Can I publish my delivery app to both the App Store and Google Play?	Yes. Adalo creates native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. When you update your app, changes deploy to web, iOS, and Android simultaneously—no need to manage separate versions or deployments.
What features should a delivery app have?	Essential features include user signup/login, a menu or product catalog, shopping cart, checkout with payment processing, order tracking, push notifications, and an admin orders dashboard. Adalo's delivery template includes all of these out of the box.
Will my delivery app handle growth as my business scales?	Yes. Adalo 3.0's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users. Paid plans include unlimited database records, so you won't hit storage caps as your customer base and order volume grow.
How do I accept payments in my delivery app?	Adalo integrates with Stripe, allowing you to accept credit card payments directly in your app. Setup takes minutes—just connect your Stripe account and drag the payment form onto your checkout screen.
Are there any usage limits or surprise charges with Adalo?	No. Adalo plans include unlimited usage with no usage-based charges. Unlike platforms that charge per action or workload unit, you won't face bill shock as your delivery app processes more orders.