VMblog recently found out about a cool, new COVID-19 initiative from a company called Appy Pie. To fight this global emergency and keep businesses on track, they’ve introduced a range of new app features that will help people manage their business effectively, from the comfort of home. I also wanted to find out more details about an interesting and much needed contest designed around app ideas geared towards helping people to cope with COVID-19.
To learn more, we spoke with Abhinav Girdhar, CEO at Appy Pie.
VMblog: Can you start off by giving readers a bit of background on Appy Pie?
Abhinav Girdhar: Appy Pie is a DIY app building platform that has managed to democratize technology by empowering small businesses and even individuals support their ventures without having to fall into the rabbit hole of coding, programming, or any other technological expertise associated with app development.
VMblog: Has the emergence and spread of COVID-19 influenced peoples’ appetite for Appy Pie?
Girdhar: COVID-19 has managed to impact almost all the aspects of our lives, particularly the business aspect of things. Appy Pie has seen a certain awareness and thirst for affordable technology that can help businesses continue their operations. There are multiple problem areas like remote working, contactless delivery etc. where Appy Pie with their affordable no-code solutions has emerged as “the” perfect solution.
VMblog: What makes no-code tools so appealing to people in uncertain times like these?
Girdhar: Yes, these are uncertain times indeed. As most businesses are looking for ways to keep their businesses working and meet their year’s goals, naturally there is a need to adopt the latest technology. However, not all business leaders are technically inclined, nor do they have the luxury to wait for months or years to get back on track. No code technology hits the perfect spot here! It needs no specialized skills, has oodles of features that can be packed into a single app, takes little to no time, and with Appy Pie, it is incredibly affordable. No wonder, people are attracted to it.
VMblog: What kinds of apps are you seeing created on your platform? Anything surprising?
Girdhar: Largely, it is businesses creating an app to enable contactless delivery. This is to make sure that even as people are practicing social distancing, local businesses can run efficiently, and people can get products and services delivered to their homes.
The other prominent type of apps is quite directly related to the pandemic as people are creating apps to spread awareness, support the community, and offer help in areas that are stricken the most by the virus.
The one thing that is surprising, is that the apps being built in these times have an element of community support and social welfare, apart from the typical financial aspect.
VMblog: How might the current state of the world impact the future of no-code tech tools like Appy Pie?
Girdhar: No-code technology has been rising in popularity and impact since some time now, and in the current scenario it is only going to rise further as people who have no experience with technology get more dependent on it for survival and business continuity. As companies are looking for remote working scenarios and organizing home delivery of products and services, no code technology is the perfect solution for them all.
VMblog: Are you offering any special features for businesses impacted by COVID-19?
Girdhar: The most critical aspect of a business that is facing the brunt of the pandemic is effective and meaningful communication. Appy Pie has made communication (both internal and external) smoother with an entire bouquet of features including team business chats, content distribution, social network integration, push notifications, video integration, and quiz and poll.
VMblog: Can you also tell us about your COVID-19 app ideas contest?
Girdhar: We are aware that multiple businesses are suffering due to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have decided to do our bit, by helping the most deserving businesses reach their customers with ease without any additional expenditure.
Essentially a business only needs to tell us the way a mobile app can help them continue their services. The 100 most deserving entries will get a free Appy Pie Basic subscription for an entire year. The contest is open till May 1, 2020 and the results will be announced on May 15, 2020.
We are excited to offer the businesses with a way to beat COVID-19!
Apart from the contest, we are also offering our existing clients a whole lot of discounts where we are offering two of our business solutions Chatbot and Design for free till July 1st, 2020. Another great offer is for our App Maker and Connect, where users can use the coupon code BEATCOVID19 and get 19% off!
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