Learn to build
Turn Your Expertise Into an App
If you can explain a process, you can build a tool that does it, and sell it to others who face the same problem. No coding required.
01
Find Your Idea
02
Pick a Tool & Build
03
Use It Yourself
04
Sell It on AppGild
Find Your Idea
The best ideas come from work you already do: the tedious, repetitive, or needlessly manual parts.
Try this exercise:
Think about your last week of work. When did you:
Each of those is a potential app: a calculator, generator, or template that makes the process faster and more consistent.
The key insight:build something you'd buy yourself. If you'd pay $10-20 to never do that task manually again, others in your field probably would too. Your expertise is the value: you know what matters, what the edge cases are, and how the work actually gets done.
Don't aim for the next SaaS platform. A “House Cleaning Quote Calculator” outsells a “Universal Business Calculator” because it feels made by someone who understands the work. One specific problem, one specific audience.
Pick a Building Tool
“Vibe coding” means describing what you want in plain English and letting AI build it. You don't need to code; you need to know what the app should do.
To start: pick a tool below (most have free tiers), describe your app, and experiment. You can always switch later.
Lovable
Free tier available, paid plans from $20/mo · Beginner-friendly
Full-stack web apps from natural language prompts. Generates clean code, handles deployment, and connects to databases.
Best for: Complete web applications with user accounts, databases, and polished UI
Strengths
+ Very polished UI output
+ Built-in deployment
+ Handles databases and auth
+ Good for non-technical users
Considerations
− Monthly subscription cost
− Less control over code details
− Can be opinionated about design choices
Bolt (by StackBlitz)
Free tier available, paid plans from $20/mo · Beginner-friendly
AI-powered web app builder that runs entirely in the browser. Great for quick prototypes and full applications.
Best for: Fast prototyping and single-page applications
Strengths
+ Runs in browser, nothing to install
+ Fast iteration
+ Good at HTML/CSS/JS apps
+ Easy to export code
Considerations
− Can struggle with complex multi-page apps
− Database integrations require more guidance
− Output sometimes needs manual cleanup
Replit Agent
Free tier available, paid plans from $25/mo · Beginner to intermediate
AI agent that builds and deploys full applications. Includes hosting, databases, and domain support.
Best for: Full applications with backend logic, APIs, and databases
Strengths
+ Full development environment
+ Built-in hosting and deployment
+ Database support
+ Can build complex apps
Considerations
− Learning curve for the platform
− Agent mode can be unpredictable
− Hosting tied to Replit's platform
Claude (Anthropic)
Free tier available, Pro from $20/mo · Beginner-friendly for simple apps, intermediate for complex ones
AI assistant that can write complete applications when you describe what you need. Pair with Cowork or Claude Code for file management.
Best for: Single-file HTML/CSS/JS apps, tools, and calculators. Perfect for AppGild-hosted apps
Strengths
+ Excellent at single-file HTML apps
+ Great at following specific instructions
+ Can iterate and refine quickly
+ No vendor lock-in for the code
Considerations
− No built-in deployment
− You manage your own files
− Complex apps may need multiple conversations
Cursor
Free tier available, Pro from $20/mo · Intermediate; easier if you have some coding background
AI-powered code editor. Best for people who want more control over the code and development process.
Best for: Developers or technically-curious builders who want full control
Strengths
+ Full control over code
+ Works with any framework
+ Great for iterating on existing code
+ Professional development environment
Considerations
− Steeper learning curve
− Need to handle deployment separately
− More technical knowledge helpful
Not sure which to pick?
If you want the simplest path to a working app, start with Lovable or Bolt. If you want to build simple calculators and tools as single HTML files (which work great on AppGild), try Claude: just describe your tool and ask it to build the complete HTML file. You can always upgrade to a more complex tool later if you outgrow your first choice.
Not sure what to build?
Browse our collection of detailed app ideas with starter prompts ready to go.
Build It for Yourself First
Before selling anything, use it yourself on real work. This is the most important step.
Real usage reveals what's missing, confusing, or unnecessary. The small details you add from actually doing the work are what separate an app someone buys from one they skip.
Your testing checklist:
✓ Use the app for its intended purpose at least 3-5 times with real scenarios
✓ Note every moment where you hesitate, get confused, or wish something worked differently
✓ Show it to someone in your field and watch them use it without helping. Where do they get stuck?
✓ Check that the output (report, calculation, quote, etc.) looks professional enough to share with a client
✓ Verify it works well on a phone if that's where people in your field would use it
Expect to iterate
Vibe-coded apps rarely come out perfect on the first try, and that's completely normal. The AI coding tools are good at getting you 80% of the way there quickly, but the last 20% comes from you testing, tweaking, and refining based on real use.
The good news: the same tools that built the first version can fix and improve it too. Describe what's not working ("the PDF output cuts off long addresses" or "add a field for overtime rate") and the tool will update it. Most builders go through 5-15 rounds of refinement before they're happy with the result. That's not a sign something went wrong; it's how the process works.
Think of each round as making the app a little more "yours." The generic version an AI produces is a starting point. The version that reflects your actual workflow, your industry's quirks, and your customers' real needs: that's the product people pay for.
Be honest about results.If you build something and don't actually use it, that's useful information: move on. The best apps are the ones you can't imagine going back to doing without.
Get It Ready to Sell
If your tool saved you real time or solved a real annoyance, others in your field feel the same pain. Here's what you need to list on AppGild.
What you need for a listing
A clear description
What it does, who it's for, what problem it solves. Write it like you're explaining to a colleague.
Screenshots
At least one showing the app in action. Show the input, the process, and the output.
Listing details
AppGild listings include listing details telling buyers what data the app uses, what's included, and what it doesn't do. Transparency builds trust.
Pricing
Set a fair price based on value delivered. See guidance below.
Pricing your app
All apps on AppGild use subscription pricing (monthly or annual). This gives buyers ongoing value and gives you the opportunity for recurring revenue if buyers stay subscribed. AppGild takes a flat 20% commission (current rate, subject to change with notice).
Pricing rules of thumb:
$29/year: Simple calculators, single-purpose tools, basic templates. Things that save 5-10 minutes per use.
$39-49/year: More complete tools with multiple features, professional output, and saved data. Things that replace a manual process entirely.
$49-79/year: Comprehensive apps that handle a significant workflow end-to-end. Things that save hours of work or replace a monthly software subscription.
Think about it from the buyer's perspective: if your app saves a contractor 20 minutes per quote, and they quote 10 jobs a month, it saves over 3 hours per month. $39/year for that is an obvious decision, and they get updates as long as they subscribe.
What probably won't sell
Generic free-alternative tools: basic to-do lists, timers, or unit converters. Unless yours does something meaningfully different for a specific audience, buyers won't pay.
Apps requiring live data feeds: if it depends on stock prices, weather APIs, or external services that could break, it's harder to sell standalone. Simple, self-contained tools are easier to support.
Policy violations: apps that scrape data, generate misleading content, or access services improperly. See our Terms of Service.
The submission process
Submit through your builder dashboard. We review your listing for clarity, accuracy of claims, and policy compliance, usually within a few business days. If anything needs fixing, we'll let you know.
The review covers the listing, not the app itself. AppGild does not test, audit, or certify app functionality, and builders remain solely responsible for how their apps work, the support they provide, and any claims they make.
Questions about selling? See how it works · Get in touch