Easier Apps With Ionic Templates, Frameworks, and Tools

One of the biggest problems in development is the idea of “limitless” possibilities. How do you choose what app to build when you can create anything? Which choice to get from point A to point B is the right one, when there are so many combinations on how to get there?

This holds true when using the Ionic framework as much as anywhere else in development.

To help with this issue, this article will guide you through some of the most common uses for Ionic, and show you the path to accomplishing what you want.

What is Ionic?

Ionic is a framework for JavaScript that allows for the creation of mobile apps using web development languages. With this framework, you can push apps to Apple devices, Android devices, and more, all from a single codebase.

The framework builds on top of JavaScript, but also includes additional features, such as giving developers access to native functionalities.

Why should you be using Ionic for your projects?

single codebase for multiple native apps
support for continuous integration and continuous deployment
access to native functionality
open source, with free access to the framework
easy-to-use app builder that let’s you create front-end UI’s with ease
many of available templates, skeletons, and kits to build from

All of this together makes Ionic a strong framework, especially for small teams or those who want to get their app finished fast.

Let’s look more into the different tools available for your Ionic projects.

Using Ionic Mobile Templates for Your Project

Many developers make assumptions about using templates for projects, and the Ionic space is no different. Some think that templates are only for beginners, while others deem them too difficult to use for those starting out.

Despite these views, templates have their place in most projects, for many different developer experience levels.

For those brand new to the Ionic Framework, templates can provide a quick launching point for any project. Not only does it close the gap from beginning to learn to finished project, but having a complete app with good documentation will give you a grasp of how to work within a project—knowledge that can’t be found in the developer docs alone.

For those with some experience using Ionic, templates are a good way to see all of the pieces that go into an app in action. Junior developers working with Ionic are likely to have implemented some features, or work within an already existing app structure, so working at a different scale can give insights into the areas typically reserved for senior developers.

Experienced developers can utilize the pre-built infrastructure to reduce the cost and time associated with their project. Though templates often don’t give you a project that is completely ready to hand off to a client, getting a project to 70% completion for less than a dev hour in cost can be a godsend. Plus, you won’t have to program the same common features again and again.

Let’s take a deeper look at the different formats, tools, and variations of Ionic templates available.

Low- and Zero-Code Ionic App Creation

Don’t have much experience in developing for Ionic, or any at all? There are solutions available to help build an app without coding at all.

While you shouldn’t expect to build highly sophisticated apps using these tools, they can help you create solid basic apps and proofs of concept.

One of the types of tools that allow for this are code generators, such as IMABuildeRz: Universal AppBuilder for Ionic. This generator lets you create code by using menus, drag and drop editors, and an admin system that make the code for your app without the need for programming. Those that have some experience with programming can use it as a jumping off point, giving you a solid code base to start from.

Another popular way to build an app is to use the editor available in Ionic Studio. With drag and drop editors, component libraries, and more, this platform by Ionic let’s you put together fully-featured apps with minimal code.

Ionic

Top 4 Ionic App Builders and Universal Ionic Templates

Kyle Sloka-Frey

Get to Minimum Viable Product Faster with Ionic Skeletons

For those building something too complicated for a drag-and-drop editor or generator, there are plenty of skeletons and templates out there to give you a solid base.

These templates often are not complete apps, but rather provide all of the basic features found in all apps. Don’t want to program yet another login screen? Or setup another forgotten password user flow? These templates solve those issues at a reasonable cost.

Here’s some of the best boilerplate templates out there:

Build an eCommerce App Fast With Ionic

A common use for Ionic is to create shopping apps, where your users can browse your wares from any type of device. Building these types of apps can be difficult though, often exponentially harder than non-eCommerce apps.

Using a template though, you can quickly jump through the hurdles that come with setting up an eCommerce app from scratch. Payments, cart handling, products, and more can be done from the get-go, giving you more time to worry about your customers and your shop.

If you already have an online store, there are a number of app templates available that will integrate directly into them, helping to give your customers a consistent experience, no matter where they are viewing from. On top of that, this means that you will only have to update your products on one system, saving you a ton of time!

Here are some of the most popular eCommerce templates available:

Use Pre-Built Building Blocks with Ionic UI Kits

Even without using a full app template, there are often portions of apps that are easier to slot in, rather than programming them from scratch. These components act as building blocks that can be used to piece together screens and apps more quickly than if you were starting from nothing.

These types of kits can be a godsend for developers that have a hard time with design, giving your app a highly polished look without mastery of UX and UI.

Some of the best kits out there include:

Easily Make Business and Service Apps

The final type of Ionic template available is highly niche, but offers more value than the other types of templates for anyone whose needs fall within these niches. Specifically, we’re talking about full-fledged apps that are built for a specific purpose, and only need minor changes to customize them for your needs.

These templates typically come in the form of clones of popular apps, or app templates built for a specific business type, such as restaurants. Because of the specificity associated with their use, using one can cut down on development costs drastically, and in some cases, they might not require any coding at all.

Here’s some of the more popular niche app templates available:

How Will You Use Ionic?

With all of these options available for starting your Ionic app, which will you choose? What are your favorite tools and templates for Ionic?

Let me know by posting in the comments below!