App Development: Building Web Apps for Product Managers

Web applications have become a crucial part of product strategies. They are no longer just desktop-bound tools but must work seamlessly across devices, from mobile phones to large monitors. As a product manager, understanding how web apps are built and how to leverage new tools for rapid product development is essential.

The trap is treating app development as an engineering-only domain. The actual job is to bridge user needs, business goals, and technology choices — and to move fast enough to learn from real users.

In India’s dynamic market, where mobile usage dominates but desktop access remains relevant in workplaces, responsive web apps unlock a broader audience. Companies like Razorpay and Swiggy rely on web apps alongside native apps to serve users with varying device preferences and connectivity constraints.

Web apps are now responsive, not just desktop-first

The classic web app was designed for desktop browsers. Today, that approach is obsolete. Responsive web apps dynamically adjust their layout and interactions based on the screen size and input mode.

This means:

• A user on a smartphone gets a touch-optimized experience that fits their screen.
• A user on a laptop sees a richer interface with more information density.
• The same codebase supports multiple devices, reducing engineering overhead.

The product implication: Your product roadmap must include web responsiveness as a core feature, not an afterthought. The PM’s role includes validating the user segments who prefer web access and prioritizing features accordingly.

Indian Saares such as Meesho have optimized their web apps for low-bandwidth environments to capture tier-2 and tier-3 users who rely on shared devices or slower data.

No-code and low-code tools are changing product building

The landscape of product building tools has transformed dramatically. Platforms like Adalo, Webflow, and Bubble allow product teams to prototype and even ship functional web apps without writing traditional code.

Talvinder explains:

"Adalo has recently expanded to the web world as well. And now they also allow you to build responsive web apps, not just mobile apps. But that is a relatively new thing."

This offers PMs a powerful advantage:

• You can rapidly test hypotheses by building clickable prototypes or minimal viable products (MVPs).
• You reduce dependency on engineering cycles for early validation.
• You gain direct empathy for the technical constraints and design trade-offs.

But beware: No-code tools are not magic. They have limitations around customization, scalability, and integration. The PM’s job is to pick the right tool for the stage of the product and the risks involved.

Building products is the fastest way to learn product management

Talvinder has seen thousands of PMs stall because they treat learning as a purely theoretical exercise. The pattern is consistent: concepts only crystallize when applied in a real product context.

"Take product building very seriously. All of this learning, everything will be of use only if you apply it right away on building some product. It will not just give you the confidence, but also reemphasize and register all of these ideas permanently in your brain."

In practice, this means:

• Pairing learning modules with product sprints.
• Using no-code tools to build your own product or features.
• Iterating quickly based on user feedback and data.

This approach is especially effective in India’s growing product ecosystem, where PMs often come from diverse backgrounds and need to develop hands-on skills rapidly.

The PM’s role in web app development

You are not expected to write code. Your actual job is to:

• Define clear product requirements that consider web responsiveness and device diversity.
• Collaborate closely with UX designers to ensure the interface adapts gracefully.
• Prioritize engineering work to balance native app development and web app improvements.
• Evaluate no-code prototypes as part of discovery and experimentation.
• Understand the trade-offs between performance, features, and user experience on web platforms.

In many Indian startups, web apps are the primary product interface for business customers and partners. For example, B2B SaaS companies like Freshworks and Postman rely heavily on their web apps for core workflows.

Example: Razorpay’s web app strategy

Razorpay serves a wide spectrum of users — from small merchants using basic smartphones to enterprise clients on desktop browsers. Their web app is designed to be fully functional and responsive, enabling users to manage payments, invoices, and settlements seamlessly across devices.

The PMs at Razorpay prioritize:

• Fast load times on 2G and 3G networks.
• Minimal clicks to complete key workflows.
• Progressive enhancement to add advanced features for desktop users.

This strategy reflects a deep understanding of India’s connectivity and device landscape.

Field exercise: Build a no-code web app prototype

Use a no-code platform like Adalo, Bubble, or Webflow to build a simple web app prototype for a product idea you care about.

1. Choose a core user problem and define the minimum feature set.
2. Design the user flows with responsiveness in mind.
3. Build the prototype and test it on mobile and desktop browsers.
4. Collect feedback from at least 3 potential users.
5. Reflect on the challenges you faced and how this experience changes your product decisions.

Time: 60 minutes

This exercise is not about making a perfect product. It is about making your learning concrete.

Test yourself: Prioritize features for a responsive web app launch

Where to go next

• If you want to deepen your product discovery skills: User Research Methods
• If you want to master product strategy: Product Vision and Strategy
• If you want to learn agile product development: Agile Product Management
• If you want to build AI-powered products: AI Product Strategy
• If you want practical hands-on product building: No-Code Product Building