Web Applications2024-02-02T11:35:53-05:00

Solving Customer Needs: WordPress as a Web Application Framework

Take advantage of WordPress as a framework to have your web apps quickly built.

Custom web apps empower organizations to architect custom online tools to solve their targeted problems. Whether for storing data, scaling features, sharing information, or simplifying processes – web app development with WordPress can help digitize the previously complex. WordPress is an incredibly flexible web application framework that Creative Hive Labs can leverage to develop seemingly unlimited types of web applications relatively quickly and inexpensively. We can set up your WordPress environment with a customized app equipped with user, session, and content management, the ability to monitor site activity, and much more in a fraction of the time required for full-on custom development if you’re willing to make a few compromises. This makes it perfect for common web apps, MVPs, or prototyping.

We also can assist in applying the various APIs, common objects, and helper functions that allow complex applications to be created quickly without worrying about lower-level systems integration. Plus, we can guide you in the right choice of theme and plugins that will allow WordPress to be used as an application framework and produce remarkable, user-focused results.

Creative Hive Labs can leverage WordPress to deliver a robust solution that meets your full requirements in many situations. In other situations, custom development will remain the optimal choice.

Building Web Apps with WordPress

Develop a simple web application using WordPress and Creative Hive Labs

Creative Hive Labs can deliver a complete solution in a much faster timeline and lower cost than custom development using WordPress. WordPress has come a long way from its simple CMS beginnings. However, it isn’t suitable for every kind of app.

WordPress can be an ideal solution if:

  • Your app needs updated by a non-technical user

  • Your app needs updated or modified frequently

  • You need to build an app fast and inexpensively

  • You need to come up with a proof of concept

  • Your app needs an easy-to-navigate back-end

  • You’re willing to do some basic steps manually

  • Making compromises on some functionality is acceptable

How WordPress can be used as a Framework – Examples

Additional Examples of How WordPress can be Used as a Framework

  • Service Management System

  • CRM System

  • Contact Management System

  • School Management System

  • Event Management System

  • Document Management System

  • Awards Processing System

  • Classifieds Database

  • Job Listings

The client wanted to develop a software platform to manage the application rationalization process for their clients. The goal was to create a single secure portal to control all activities and reporting for both company and client users during an engagement.

Definitions

General Web App Features

Web applications are an ideal way to automate your business processes, saving you time and money. We can customize functionalities to do precisely what you want and integrate them seamlessly with your workflow. The more of these features you require in your solution, the more appropriate it is to consider it a web app versus a simple website.

Why Use WordPress as a Web Application Framework?

Creative Hive Labs’s expert experience using WordPress as a Web Application Framework speeds up development time and makes routine maintenance less complex for appropriate projects. Also, the overall hours a custom development team is required on a project tend to be significantly less, as they don’t have to write and maintain code to handle the app’s core functionalities.

WordPress is a platform built on PHP and SQL, with a front-end served through HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. WordPress typically runs on a web server connected to a MySQL database on a Linux server. Therefore, essentially anything you build in PHP/MySQL can be added to your WordPress-based web application fairly easily. While WordPress and PHP/MySQL aren’t perfect for every task, they are well equipped for a wide variety of tasks. Having a single platform that will continue to grow with your business can allow you to execute and pivot faster when needed.

A blog is the default app that comes pre-configured with WordPress. However, what you actually have is a nicely structured relational database of correlated data stored within posts, tags, categories, and custom taxonomies. In addition, both custom fields and post types can be used to structure various kinds of data such as:

  • Classes

  • Contacts

  • Directory listings

  • Leads & Deals

  • Maps

  • Portfolio Entries

  • FAQ Entries

  • Reviews

  • Glossary Entries

  • Events

  • Products

  • Testimonials

Ultimately, the biggest advantage of using WordPress to develop your web application is the comparatively minimal development time required to achieve a working project compared to a purely custom development project. Creative Hive Labs will help you eliminate the time required to develop a database architecture, APIs, user-management functionality, and more by using WordPress as your application framework. We’ll also provide you with an easy-to-navigate admin interface and enable even non-technical users to update the content at any time.

Functions of WordPress as a Web Application Framework

These features are included with the default WordPress functionality. However, each functionality or feature can be supplemented with other free, paid, or custom-written plugins. Creative Hive Labs’s expert experience at plugin configuration makes the possibilities for your WordPress web application virtually limitless.

Building a Simple Web App With WordPress Compared to .NET Web Application

Feature .NET WordPress
Web Server $ 0
Database Server $ 0
Database Schema $$ 0
Helper Functions $ 0 + $
Some custom development may be required in specialized scenarios.
Developers $$$ $
PHP developers typically cost much less than .NET developers
Custom Functionality $$$ 0 + $ + $
Utilize free plugins, paid plugins, or create custom plugins for additional functionality
User Logins $ 0
Security $$$ 0 + $
WordPress is one of the most secure platforms, and there are options for additional security requirements at a small cost

Built on the WordPress Framework – Sites from Around the Web

E-Commerce

Educational

A Single Company Path from WordPress to Custom Development

When you’re ready for a truly custom web development solution, you can seamlessly transition to working with the custom software development team at QAT Global. Since Creative Hive Labs is a division of QAT Global, we are able to provide a single-company path from WordPress-based solutions to full custom development. This provides customers with a strong advantage as their needs evolve, they gain market traction, or they gain additional startup funding, since the team that helped them get to that point will also be there to help them as they grow their solution.