Web apps & portals
Web applications and client portals that fit how you work.
We build web applications and portals that run in the browser: client portals, booking systems and internal tools for small businesses, property managers, practices, councils and charities. You see a clickable prototype first. Then we quote a fixed price for each stage before any code is written.
Demo: a tenant portal for a property manager (in German)
In the tenant portal demo you report a repair as a tenant, with a photo, and follow its progress. The overview shows open reports, upcoming appointments in the building, your flat, your contact and new documents such as the service charge statement.
One click switches to the property manager's view: all reports in the building with flat, date, contractor and status, and a button to assign a contractor. A fast-forward button moves a report on by a day, and an explainer video (1:48 minutes) shows the process. The demo is in German and is a mock-up with fictional data. A real project would add, for example:
- Login and permissions: tenants see only their own flat, contractors only their jobs. Login by email link or password.
- Notifications: an email to tenant and contractor at every status change, with appointment confirmation by click if you wish.
- Connection: reports and documents come from your existing property software, so nothing is entered twice.
Typical uses
- Client portal: clients see jobs, documents and appointments and raise requests instead of phoning or emailing. Between businesses, for example order status, price lists and complaints.
- Online booking: for example for a practice, with your own rules for appointment types, duration and buffer times.
- Job list for field staff: jobs, addresses and notes on the phone, with photos from site.
- Internal tools: when a spreadsheet with several editors has grown too big. See spreadsheet to database.
- Application and grant portals: guided applications with checks and a reviewer portal. See online grant application forms.
Reference
For a German federal funding agency (Projektträger des Bundes) we designed and built an online application assistant: a multi-step, configuration-driven application journey with guided data entry, validation, PDF output and export into the agency's existing systems. It was accepted and handed over. A follow-up contract for two funding portals is in progress. We do not name the client.
Custom or off-the-shelf software?
Off-the-shelf software is available at once and used by many. Custom software adapts to your process instead of the other way round. A few questions decide it:
| Question | More likely off-the-shelf | More likely custom |
|---|---|---|
| How unusual is your process? | standard for your sector | your own process, which saves you work or queries |
| Who adapts to whom? | your team adapts to the software | the software adapts to your team |
| When should it start? | straight away, with a trial account | after the concept and first stage |
| How do costs arise? | ongoing licence, often per user | development per stage, plus hosting |
| What about existing programs? | connections the vendor provides | your own integrations |
| Where is the data? | with the vendor | where you decide, for example on servers in Germany |
Often it is a mix
Accounts, email and calendar run well in standard software. A lean portal takes over the part that works differently for you and is connected to your programs through integrations. If standard software fits your case, we say so in the intro call.
Stages and fixed price
- 1Intro call: about 30 minutes, no obligation. You tell us what is holding you back, and we tell you honestly whether software is the answer.
- 2Concept with a clickable prototype: you click through the main screens before any code is written, with a quote and a fixed price for each stage.
- 3First stage: the smallest useful part; for a tenant portal, reporting a repair and seeing it in the manager's list.
- 4Further stages: permissions, notifications, integrations. After each stage you try what has been built and can change course.
- 5Hosting or handover: we take over hosting, maintenance and new features, or hand over to your team with documentation.
Accessibility, data protection and hosting
- Accessibility: we develop to WCAG 2.2 level AA, with keyboard access, screen reader support and clear error messages. Councils are covered by the public sector accessibility regulations, and service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments under section 29(7) of the Equality Act 2010. Take legal advice for your case. See also our accessibility audit.
- Hosting: applications we run are hosted on servers in Germany (Hetzner, Nuremberg) with a data processing agreement. Under the UK GDPR you need a written contract with any processor; according to the ICO, Germany is covered by the UK's adequacy regulations.
- Existing data: we take over lists and old data with an audit log, see data migration and cleansing.
Frequently asked questions
What does a web application cost?
It depends mainly on roles, features and connections to other programs. After the intro call we quote a fixed price for each stage before any code is written, and after each stage you decide whether to continue.
Do we own the source code?
We agree this in the quote before the project starts. Tell us in the intro call what you need, for example a later handover to your own IT.
How long does the first version take?
It depends on the scope of the first stage. We keep it small on purpose, so you can try something early. The quote gives the timeline for each stage.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. A web application runs in the browser on computer, tablet and phone and adapts to the screen. In many cases you do not need an app from an app store.
Can you take over an existing application?
We check case by case. We look at code, documentation and hosting and then say whether taking it over or rebuilding makes more sense.
Do you work with UK organisations?
Yes. We work in English, and meetings take place by video or phone. Our reference project so far is in Germany.
Does this fit your project?
Tell us in 30 minutes what it is about. No obligation; afterwards you will know whether and how software can help.
Book an intro call →