Your browser does not support the video tag.

Introduction

Welcome to MikesBlogDesign’s guide on using Replit to build powerful web applications! In a recent team call, our friend Luciano shared his expertise on leveraging Replit to create apps like project management tools, e-commerce platforms, and more. This tutorial summarizes key takeaways from that session and provides a step-by-step guide to get you started with Replit for your own projects.

Why Choose Replit?

Luciano tested multiple platforms and found Replit to be the best for combining front-end and back-end development seamlessly. Here’s why:

• Cost-Effective: Small tasks cost as little as 10-29 cents, with a ~$20/month subscription that includes hosting.
• AI-Powered Development: Use simple prompts to build apps without deep coding knowledge.
• Flexible Deployment: Host on Replit or export to other platforms like GitHub or custom domains.
• Integration Support: Connects with APIs (e.g., Stripe, Amazon, Google Translate) for robust functionality.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Building a Simple Loan Tracker App

Based on Luciano’s advice, we’ll start with a simple loan tracker app, one of the easiest projects discussed. This app lets users log in, view loan balances, and track payment histories.

Step 1: Set Up Your Replit Account

1. Go to replit.com and sign up for an individual account (avoid team accounts to keep costs low).
2. Create a new project by clicking “Create Repl” and selecting a language (e.g., Python or JavaScript for web apps).

Step 2: Define Your App’s Features

Before coding, outline key features. For the loan tracker:

• User login (manager and regular users).
• Display loan balances and payment history.
• Allow manual payment entries.
• Basic database to store loan data.

Tip: Luciano suggests starting with small, specific features to avoid overwhelming the AI. Create a feature list to guide your prompts.

Step 3: Write Your First Prompt

In Replit, use the AI prompt feature to start building. Example prompt:

“Create a web app with a login system for managers and users. Managers can add loan records, and users can view their loan balance and payment history. Use a simple database to store data and create a basic UI.”

Replit’s AI will generate code for both front-end (UI) and back-end (database). Review the generated code and test it.

Step 4: Refine with Iterative Prompts

If the UI or functionality isn’t perfect, refine it with follow-up prompts, e.g.:

“Make the UI cleaner with a blue theme and add a table to display payment history.”

Use Replit’s version control to revert to previous versions if the AI introduces errors.

Tip: Luciano emphasizes “vibe coding”—iteratively prompting and testing until the app meets your needs.

Step 5: Add Integrations

Connect to APIs for added functionality, such as Stripe for payments. In Replit, store API keys in the “Secrets” tab for secure access. Example prompt:

“Integrate Stripe to allow users to make loan payments and update the database automatically.”

Step 6: Test and Debug

Use Replit’s built-in security scanner and debugging tools. Prompt the AI to:

“Run a security scan and fix any vulnerabilities. Test the app and debug until it works perfectly.”

Luciano suggests looping debug prompts until the app is stable.

Step 7: Deploy Your App

1. Click “Deploy” in Replit to host on their servers, or export the code to GitHub or another hosting provider.
2. For custom domains, configure your DNS settings to point to Replit’s servers or your preferred host.

Other App Ideas to Explore

Beyond the loan tracker, Luciano inspired these ideas for MikesBlogDesign readers:

• Amazon Listing Optimizer: Input an ASIN to get suggestions for improving listings (text, images). Requires scraping or Amazon API access.
• P2P Swap System: A platform for swapping fiat or crypto internally, replacing manual processes.
• Financial Dashboard: Track multi-currency accounts and project balances with API integrations (e.g., Stripe).
• Domain KPI Dashboard: Monitor domain performance (e.g., AdSense revenue, traffic) with dropdowns for detailed data.

Tips for Success

• Start Small: Build feature by feature to maintain stability, as large apps can become harder to manage.
• Use Version Control: Revert to earlier versions if AI changes break your app.
• Leverage APIs: Replit supports integrations with tools like Stripe, Amazon, and Google Translate.
• Test Thoroughly: Luciano is still testing larger apps for long-term stability, so keep spreadsheets as a backup until confident.
• Specify Auth System in Initial Prompt: On initial prompt, specify the auth system you want. In Replit it seems to default to the Replit auth system - which I don’t know about you - but I don’t know many normal users on the internet who have Replit Auth. But I can appreciate Replit trying to get more users of its own. So to avoid this, and then having the AI have to rebuild the auth system later, I simply add in my initial prompt this requirement: “Auth system: username/password (no need for Replit auth)”
• Request Title Tags: I’ve also noticed it isn’t adding

Video2 - Debugging Next Day + Minor Features

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Video3 - Deploy & Adding Major Features

Coming soon (some OBS audio issue…) but basically - deploy first before doing a big update is best practice.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Conclusion

Replit empowers non-developers to build functional apps quickly using AI prompts. By starting with a simple project like a loan tracker, you can learn the platform’s capabilities and scale to more complex tools like financial dashboards or Amazon optimizers. Follow Luciano’s iterative approach, test thoroughly, and soon you’ll have custom apps to streamline your business!

See Mike’s Prompts & Steps for Building AmzAssistant
Try AmzAssistant Now