Creating scalable apps in FlutterFlow: Best practices

Introduction

When creating an app, it’s crucial to think about scalability from the start. Scalability can be viewed in two ways: the ability of the app to handle millions of users and the ease with which a developer can update, add, or remove features. This blog will explore best practices for building scalable apps in FlutterFlow, focusing on constants, backend processes, automation, Google Tasks, and Cron jobs.

Understanding scalability

Scalability involves multiple aspects: database structure, automation, constants, backend vs. frontend processes, theme library, components, page structure, and other. Here are the five pillars of scalability that we focus on when creating an app:

1. Use constants
2. Optimize database structure
3. Leverage backend processes
4. Automate everything
5. Utilize all cloud services

1. Use constants

Using constants is a fundamental practice for scalability.Imagine you have a value used across your app, like spacing between elements, set to 16. If a new designer changes the spacing to 20, you’d need to update every instance manually, wasting hours. However, if this value is a constant, you change it once, and it’s updated everywhere instantly.

2. Optimize database structure

A well-structured database is key to scalability. When designing your database:

• No-SQL (Firebase): Use hierarchical structures to avoid complex queries and ensure quick access. For example, nest user data within a users collection, and use subcollections for related data like user posts, comments or reviews.
• SQL (Supabase): Normalize your database to reduce redundancy and ensure efficient data retrieval. Use foreign keys to link related data, which helps maintain data integrity and makes your database easier to scale. For example, create separate tables for users, orders, and products, and link them using foreign keys.

3. Leverage backend processes

Moving processes to the backend guarantees reliability and efficiency. For instance, in a food delivery app, let’s imagine Mike presses the buy button. The Stripe payment pop-up appears, he adds his credit card info, pays, and then… nothing happens. His restaurant never gets the order because Mike’s wife just turned off the Wi-Fi and Mike’s phone lost signal. Asa result, the purchase went through and the money was taken from Mike, but the order never processed.

This situation would never happen if the process was handled in the backend. By using a webhook on Stripe that runs when a user makes a purchase, all necessary actions can be triggered after the purchase is confirmed. This makes sure that when a user pays, the order is processed regardless of any frontend issues.

4. Automate everything

Automation improves user experience and operational efficiency.For example, if a user abandons their cart in an e-commerce app, you can set up automated reminders to prompt them to complete their purchase. Use Google Tasks combined with API calls or Cloud Functions to implement such features, improving customer conversion rates.

Imagine Michelle, who adds clothes to her cart and then closes the app without purchasing. By handling reminders through backend automation, Michelle can receive an email or notification reminding her to complete her purchase, increasing the chances of conversion. 

5. Utilize all cloud services

Maximize the tools offered by your backend provider. Google, Amazon, and Microsoft provide extensive functionalities that can significantly enhance your app’s performance. Start with basic tools like Google Tasks and Google Tasks to improve reliability and efficiency, and then explore advanced features like chatbot extensions and machine learning tools.

Leveraging backend processes

1. Use webhooks - set up webhooks for critical processes like payment confirmation. This ensures actions are completed reliably, even if the frontend experiences issues.
2. Edge functions / Cloud functions - use these functions for real-time data processing and handling user interactions efficiently, on the backend.
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Automation with Google tasks and Cron jobs

1. Google tasks help automate routine tasks like data backups and system health checks, but can be used for much more.
2. Cloud functions / Cron jobs can be used to schedule tasks such as sending reminder emails for abandoned carts. They make sure these tasks are executed at the right time without manual intervention. 

Using tasks for efficient processing

1. Google Tasks implement queues to manage high-volume data processing efficiently. Tasks help balance load and help assure that tasks are handled in a timely manner.
2. API integration combine tasks (and Cloud functions) with API calls to automate complex workflows and improve app responsiveness.  

Conclusion

Creating scalable apps in FlutterFlow requires thoughtful planning and the right set of practices. By using constants, optimizing your database structure, leveraging backend processes, automating tasks, and utilizing all available cloud services, you can build apps that are not only robust and efficient but also easy to maintain and expand. Start implementing these practices from the start of creating an app so you can easily handle growth and changes effortlessly.