Softr Frontend Development Guide
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of building a professional e-
commerce store frontend using Softr, connected to your Airtable backend. Softr is a
powerful no-code platform that allows you to create sophisticated web applications with
minimal technical knowledge.
1. Getting Started with Softr
Begin by visiting [Link] and creating an account if you don't already have one.
Softr offers a free plan that includes basic features, which should be sufficient for getting
started. Once logged in, you'll be presented with the option to create a new app.
Click on "Create new app" and you'll be given several options. For an e-commerce store,
you can either start with a blank app or choose from one of Softr's pre-built templates. If
you're new to Softr, starting with a template can provide a good foundation that you can
customize to your needs. Look for templates labeled "Portfolio," "Business," or "E-
commerce" as these will be most relevant to your project.
2. Connecting Your Airtable Base
The first crucial step is connecting your Softr app to the Airtable base you created in the
previous phase. This connection allows Softr to dynamically display your services,
portfolio items, and testimonials.
Navigate to the "Data" section in your Softr dashboard. Here, you'll find options to
connect various data sources. Select "Airtable" from the list of available integrations.
You'll be prompted to enter your Airtable API key and select the specific base you want
to connect.
Enter the API key you generated in the previous phase and select your e-commerce base.
Once connected, Softr will automatically detect all the tables in your base (Services,
Portfolio, Testimonials, and Orders). You can choose which tables to sync with your Softr
app. For this project, you'll want to sync all four tables.
3. Designing the Home Page
The home page is the first impression visitors will have of your store, so it's crucial to
make it compelling and professional. Softr provides various blocks that you can drag
and drop to build your pages.
Start with a hero section that immediately communicates what you offer. Use Softr's
"Hero" block and customize it with a compelling headline, a brief description of your
services, and a clear call-to-action button. The headline should be concise but impactful,
something like "Professional Digital Services Delivered with Excellence" or "Transform
Your Business with Expert Freelance Solutions."
Below the hero section, add a "List" block connected to your Services table. Configure
this block to display your featured services in a grid layout. You can customize which
fields to display (Service Name, Short Description, Price, Image) and how many services
to show on the home page. Consider showing only your top 3-6 services to avoid
overwhelming visitors.
Add a "How It Works" section using text blocks or cards to explain your process. This
might include steps like "Browse Services," "Make Payment," "Receive Delivery," and
"Leave Feedback." This helps build trust and sets clear expectations for potential clients.
Include a brief "About" section on the home page using a text block. This should be a
condensed version of your full about page, highlighting your expertise and unique value
proposition.
4. Creating the Services Page
The services page should provide a comprehensive view of all your offerings. Use Softr's
"List" block connected to your Services table, but this time configure it to show all
services rather than just featured ones.
Implement filtering and search functionality to help visitors find relevant services
quickly. Softr allows you to add filter options based on your table fields. Set up filters for
the "Category" field so visitors can filter by service type (Graphic Design, Writing, Web
Development, etc.).
Each service listing should display the Service Name, Short Description, Price, and
Image. Configure the list to link to individual service detail pages, which we'll create
next.
5. Building Service Detail Pages
Service detail pages are crucial for converting visitors into customers. These pages
should provide comprehensive information about each service and make it easy for
customers to make a purchase.
Create a new page template for service details. Use Softr's "Details" block connected to
your Services table. This block will automatically display all the information for a
specific service when accessed through a link from the services list.
Configure the details page to show the Service Name as the main heading, followed by
the Long Description, Price, and any relevant images. Add clear call-to-action buttons for
"Order Now" or "Get Started" that will later connect to your PayPal payment system.
Include links to your Fiverr and Khamasat profiles or specific gigs related to this service.
You can add these as button blocks with external links to the URLs stored in your
Airtable.
Consider adding an FAQ section for each service using Softr's accordion or text blocks.
This can help address common questions and reduce the need for back-and-forth
communication.
6. Creating the Portfolio Page
Your portfolio page should showcase your best work and demonstrate your capabilities
to potential clients. Use Softr's "Gallery" or "List" block connected to your Portfolio
table.
Configure the portfolio display to show project images prominently, with the Project
Title and a brief description visible. Implement category filtering similar to the services
page, allowing visitors to filter portfolio items by type of work.
Each portfolio item should link to a detailed project page where visitors can see more
images, read the full project description, and view any associated client testimonials.
7. Building Portfolio Detail Pages
Create individual pages for each portfolio item using Softr's "Details" block connected to
your Portfolio table. These pages should tell the story of each project, including the
challenge, your approach, and the results achieved.
Display multiple images or videos if available, and include the full project description. If
you have a client testimonial linked to this project, display it prominently on the page to
add credibility.
8. Designing the Testimonials Page
Create a dedicated testimonials page using Softr's "List" block connected to your
Testimonials table. Display client testimonials in an attractive format, showing the client
name, testimonial text, and rating.
Consider using a card layout or testimonial slider to make the page visually appealing. If
you have client photos, include them to add authenticity to the testimonials.
9. Creating Supporting Pages
Build additional pages that are essential for a professional website:
About Page: Use text blocks to tell your story, highlight your expertise, and explain why
clients should choose you. Include a professional photo and any relevant credentials or
achievements.
Contact Page: Create a contact form using Softr's form blocks. Include fields for name,
email, subject, and message. Also provide alternative contact methods like email
address, phone number, or social media links.
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service: While these might seem optional, they add
professionalism and legal protection to your business. You can create these as simple
text pages.
10. Customizing the Design
Softr provides extensive customization options to make your store look professional and
match your brand. Access the design settings to customize colors, fonts, and overall
styling.
Choose a color scheme that reflects your brand and industry. For a professional services
business, consider using blues, grays, or other corporate colors. Ensure good contrast
between text and background colors for readability.
Select fonts that are professional and easy to read. Softr offers integration with Google
Fonts, giving you access to a wide variety of typography options.
Customize the navigation menu to ensure easy access to all important pages. The typical
structure should include Home, Services, Portfolio, Testimonials, About, and Contact.
11. Mobile Responsiveness
Ensure your store looks and functions well on mobile devices. Softr automatically
creates responsive designs, but you should test how your content appears on different
screen sizes. Use Softr's preview feature to see how your pages look on desktop, tablet,
and mobile devices.
Pay particular attention to image sizes, text readability, and button placement on mobile
devices. Many of your potential clients will be browsing on mobile, so the mobile
experience is crucial.
12. SEO Optimization
Configure SEO settings for each page to improve your store's visibility in search engines.
Softr allows you to customize page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs for each page.
Write compelling page titles that include relevant keywords for your services. Create
meta descriptions that accurately describe each page's content and encourage clicks
from search results.
Use descriptive URLs that include keywords related to your services. For example,
instead of a generic URL like "/page1", use "/graphic-design-services" or "/web-
development-portfolio".
This completes the basic frontend development in Softr. The next phases will focus on
integrating payment systems and connecting to external platforms like Fiverr and
Khamasat.
