iRobots, also popularly known as Roomba, has an iRobot Education Division that creates programmable robots for teaching STEM subjects. The problem was, being a Swift configured application, the company couldn’t expand its accessibility for a broader audience. Through Flutter for web, they were able to create a web application with a single codebase and an advanced graphic framework for a visual and interactive client experience. 

Despite the debate that mobile apps are taking over the competition, a web application is an easily accessible platform for a wide and broader audience. Web apps allow consumers to expand their horizons from a smaller screen and boost business growth in the competitive digital market. But most importantly, it is only possible if the application is built with a suitable framework, the right set of tools, and a team of developers who can understand the company’s vision.

Flutter has become one of the most prominent and popularly known cross-platform frameworks, and brands like BMW, Alibaba, Gpay, and several others used it to create their mobile and web apps. So, without any further delay, let’s look at how you can start creating a web application using the Flutter framework.

Requirements for Creating a Web App with Flutter

To build a Flutter web application, you need to have the following requirements:

• Install the Flutter SDK in your system.
• Google Chrome – Flutter uses Google Chrome for debugging the web application.
• An Integrated Development Environment like Android Studio, IntelliJ IDEA, or Visual Studio Code for Flutter web support.
• You can even install Flutter and Dart plugins in the editor for enabling language support and tools for refactoring, running, debugging, and reloading the web app.

Steps to Set Up a New Project with Web Support

Set-Up:

Set up Flutter on your editor and run it using the commands of your choice. Flutter provides developers the option to either run the current version or run the stable version of it. Remember, if you choose to run Flutter for the web on the latest stable version, it will replace your current version from your system and install all the latest updates. Furthermore, with Chrome installed, it would also open the browser while the app is running, along with a Web Server that provides the URL of the application.

Create and Run:

Developers who have used Flutter have mentioned that creating and running a new project on Flutter is swift, quick, and easy compared to most of the latest web app development tool kits. You can start by creating a new project over your IDE or with the command line. Unfortunately for web support, the ‘hot reload’ version is still not available for the web browser; instead, it is substituted by ‘hot restart,’ allowing the app to launch quickly. 

Build and Deploy:

Developers can run the command to generate the release build. This can be done using the release mode or ‘flutter build web,’ ultimately populating a directory with build-in files. These build-in files give developers an understanding of the project structure and the features they can utilize for creating the web app.

Design

The UI elements and designs of the web page are crucial components that determine the interactivity with its users or customers. Of course, the designs would also vary depending on the web application type – eCommerce, Fintech, service provider, magazines, portfolio, blog, etc. However, the site’s intent must be clearly defined, allowing the users to know about your business from a first glance. Furthermore, the visual hierarchy would also matter in terms of presentation, font, color palette, size, format, and positioning of separate elements. 

Images

While building the Flutter application for the web, you must remember that the web supports the standard ‘image’ widget to display images. Some might come across certain limitations with image customization since Flutter gives more image options for mobile devices and desktop versions than on the web. 

Web Renderer

Flutter automatically chooses the web renderer for any application that you create. For instance, the application runs with the HTML renderer while operating through a mobile browser, while on the other hand, it runs with Canvaskit on desktop browsers. This is simply a recommended configuration for maintaining cross-platform consistency, and developers can change it according to their requirements.

Minification

Developers using Flutter to build web applications won’t have to worry about minification – it is automatically handled by the framework. 

Testing

Flutter provides an easy testing option for developers and testers to check the web application before deploying it. First, run the code for testing your app by targeting the Google Chrome platform. Once you command, the web application will compile and run on the browser automatically.

Deploying

Now that your web application is ready to be deployed, release the app bundle over a trusted hosting service for flawless performance and speed. Some of the compatible and best hosting services that Flutter recommends include Firebase hosting, Github Pages, and Google Cloud Hosting.

Features You Must Add to your Flutter Web Application

The features you add within your web application would determine better user experience and interactivity with your users. The features can be set as per the business intent or depending on the user behavior on competing sites. The most important thing to remember is that the users must see the web application as accessible, easy, and fun to use. 

• Search box or the navigation bar to let users find the specific information.
• Original or stock images for user relatability and responsive design.
• A notification system to keep your users aware of your offerings or updates about their activity.
• Content or information that would establish the brand authority and explain your business to the crowd.
• An analytical dashboard for the SEO and marketing team to analyze the user activity on the site and optimize it accordingly from time to time.
• A blog site allowing guests or dedicated in-house writers to write about relevant topics.
• A document or content management system for content-heavy web applications. 

Benefits of Using Flutter for your Next Web Application

Flutter is an open-source UI software development platform for creating mobile and web applications. Despite being new in the market, Flutter is backed up by Google and offers unmatched advantages for its developers to create cross-platform applications.

• Cross-platform application development framework.
• A single shared codebase for mobile, web, or hybrid applications.
• Consistent UI experience across multiple platforms.
• Quick speed for prototyping.
• ‘Hot Reload’ feature decreases the time to develop codes. 
• Application performance is similar to that of a native app.
• Customizable features for an interactive UI/UX.

List of Web Applications Created Using Flutter

Flutter has an extensive portfolio of clients and users, including those from Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Here is a list of some of the websites built with Flutter.

• Calcut: An intuitive application to calculate cut-off points for students planning to take admissions in any university in Uganda. 
• Xdrop: The desktop version of the file transfer application.
• Alibaba Group: Creating a scalable application for connecting sellers and buyers in China.
• iRobot: Expanding the access to coders for customizing STEM education.
• Rive: Rewrote the popular animation tool that would enable developers to create multiplatform illustrations.
• Robert Felker Generative Art: Utilizing Flutter to create generative art and pushing the boundaries of artistic imagination using technology.

Looking for Flutter Developers in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is the hub for digital innovation, and if you are looking forward to creating a new web application, you can check Rodeo Apps which is a Simform company specializing in creating custom applications – mobile apps, hybrid apps, and web development in Los Angeles. 

Flutter web development is reshaping the way of the software development industry, and it is bound to leap towards a digital transformation. Hire app developer in Los Angeles who would understand your business goals and future prospects.