Detailed Full Review of Softr.io: All you need to know (2024)

What is Softr?

It's the easiest and fastest way to create powerful web applications and customer portals from Airtable in minutes. No code is required. Softr is a tool in the website builder category of a tech stack.

Softr features

• 8+ Templates (SaaS, Mobile, Mobile, Landing, Portfolio and more)
• Free Stock Photos (Pexels)
• Simplified integrations (Zapier, Integromat, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Hotjar, Crisp and more)
• Email Capture (Collect emails from your subscribers)
• Custom forms (send data to any service, e.g. g Airtable via Zapier, Integromat)
• Custom code (HTML/CSS/JS)
• Stripe payments (Accept payments on your website)

What you can build with Softr

• Static websites
• Job sites
• Membership sites with payment
• Booking platforms (coming soon)

What you can't build with Softr

• More complex web applications

Prices - Softr

• Free basic plan with unlimited apps, a custom domain, Softr branding, and limited data (200 Airtable registrations).
• $24/month for marketing websites or directory websites without branding.
• $65/month - $165/month for apps with credentials, no branding, more custom domains, memberships, and additional data storage.

SEO - Softr

Easily create Softr pages that are well referenced on Google thanks to search engine optimization (SEO) functions.

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Rapidity

Your application benefits from fast hosting, powered by AWS, which allows you to get a better score in search algorithms.

Responsive

Softr blocks are designed to meet the needs of users, and will be perfect in all screen resolutions for maximum referencing.

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Optimized lists for SEO

Use user-friendly URLs for all the detail pages on your list.

Add social media settings such as image, title, and description to help rank for the right keywords for your industry.

No-code analytics integrations

Softr integrates with numerous web analytics tools such as Google Analytics, HotJar, and Fathom to track organic traffic. No developer is required.

Alternatives - Softr

Softr is great for creating simple membership sites and websites that work well from the start. You don't want to customize how your site works, but you want it to work right away.

If you want more control over the design and more complexity, I would recommend Webflow connected to Memberstack for a membership site, but that also comes with a higher learning curve.

If you want to create a web application with more complex logic, I recommend using Bubble or Glide.

FAQ - Softr

What type of web applications can I create on Softr?

Marketplaces, job boards, aggregation sites, membership and assessment sites, community sites, etc.

How do I create a job board with Softr and Airtable?

Now that you're familiar with job boards, their benefits, and some must-have features, let's dive into how you can build your own job portal with Airtable.

Step 1: Copy the Dream Jobs template

Getting started is very easy, as a job portal template is already available on Softr. All you have to do is select the job portal template, Dream jobs, when you create a new application.

The job portal template has a Airtable base, which is already set up and filled with fake data that you can change later. All you need to do is enter your Airtable API key and to choose to use the base of the model.

To link the database to your Softr application, click copy the template base, then copy the job board template base. Once you've added the base to your Airtable, go back to your template, refresh it, and select the base from the dropdown list.

Then, simply click Finish to access your job portal template and start working on it. Now, you can customize your Airtable database to include your own data and set up the listing in your Softr application.

Watch the video below to connect and set up Airtable with Dynamic List blocks.

As soon as you have completed these configurations and finalized your job portal, you will be able to publish your Softr application. But that is not all.

Besides creating a job portal website and adding new entries by yourself, you can set up a form to collect job offers from your users, which we'll explore in the next section.

Step 2: Collecting job offers and creating forms

When you've already created a job portal with a certain number of postings, you can also start collecting job offers from your users.

If you start your job portal from the template Dream jobs, a block of forms will already be available for you. But if you want to add a new one, here are the steps to follow.

All you need to do is create a job submission form and link it to your Airtable base with job posting records to start collecting submissions.

You can use any of the form layouts available on Softr (for example, “Sales Form”) and configure its fields to match your Airtable base with work records.

To make sure you don't have any issues with setting up the form and sending data to Airtable, they've prepared a detailed guide Step by step that explains all the important details.

Step 3: Restrict access to job offers and charge for submissions

There is another aspect that might be of interest to you. Since the introduction of the feature ofmembership, it is possible to create limited content, by restricting certain parts of the Softr application to selected user groups.

For example, you can allow only registered users to submit job offers. It is also possible to add payment terms and others for the block or page containing the submission form in order to make users pay for access to the form. This feature also helps you monetize the platform.

You can also apply conditional filters to your to-do list if, for example, you want to allow your users to filter only their submissions.

Watch the video below to integrate Stripe, create a simple checkout flow for your product, and display content for different user groups.

Integrate Stripe, create a payment flow, and add different user groups to monetize your job site.

It's time to create your own no-code job site with Airtable.

Creating a job board can be a great way to generate revenue, create an engaged community, and establish yourself as an expert in your niche.

However, setting up your platform can be difficult and require a lot of time and resources. This is why no-code tools are rapidly gaining popularity, thanks to their accessibility and ease of use.

Tools like Softr simplify the process of creating a job portal and developing a community around the platform. Using the available templates and your Airtable base, you can create your job portal in minutes and devote your time and energy to making the platform unique.

If you want to try it out for yourself, we have a free plan to get you started. So go ahead and sign up.

How to launch a service marketplace?

You can always hire a team of developers and designers to create your marketplace. However, if you want to build it yourself, you will need a wide variety of tools such as:

• A solution for creating websites
• A database tool or platform
• A payment processing platform
• A member management platform
• And a solution or a form tool

And depending on the tools you choose, you may also need an automation tool that allows them to communicate with each other. This whole process can be extremely complicated and anxiety-provoking.

So why bother?

With Softr's no-code solution, you can easily and quickly set up the entire platform using the right templates. In just a few minutes, you can connect to your Airtable database, integrate Stripe or other payment systems, manage memberships, and add forms.

Let's go build!

Step 1. Duplicate the Softr template, review page settings, and user groups.

First, start by creating an account, or log in, and duplicate the service marketplace model Softr. Once that's done, you can go ahead and:

• Rename your application and connect a custom domain
• Edit user group names and conditions
• Adjust the typography and colors
• Move and adjust page placement

Step 2. Connect your marketplace to Airtable

When using a model, you can easily work with the model's Airtable data. After choosing the list block to connect to Airtable, click the Setup Airtable button to get started.

In this step, you will need:

• Connect your Airtable API key
• Copy the template base to your Airtable account
• And link your Airtable database to your market

Step 3: Adjust the blocking settings on your Airtable list

Now it's time for you to adjust your Airtable list block settings. When working with Dynamic List or Dynamic List Details blocks, the content is updated in the corresponding Airtable database, not in Softr.

So, to access the settings of the Dynamic List block, simply click on the list to expand the style panel on the right. Then, use the refresh icon at the top of the list style panel to refresh the connected base when adjusting Airtable data.

Examine the Airtable base, the table, the default view, the sorting by items per page, and the items by view. Make the adjustments you want at this point.

Step 4: Set up Airtable list blocks on additional pages

Now that the initial Airtable base is connected to the template, you need to work on the remaining pages to make adjustments to show the list block details just like you did on the home page.

Click Browse Hosts, select the list block you want to adjust, and make the changes you want.

Step 5: Add a form to allow users to become service providers

So with Airtable set up, it's time to add forms that allow users to become service providers. You can adjust existing forms to the template, or add new forms.

To add a form to any Softr page, simply click on the + to add a block, choose Dynamic, select the Form dropdown menu, and choose your preferred block.

Follow the steps in the video below to learn how to adapt existing forms or add new forms to your platform.

Step 6: Verify the login and finalize the settings

We are almost there! The final step is to review the registration and signature screens and get ready to post. In this final step, you will need to:

• Adjust existing login and registration forms
• Check the visibility settings for each page
• Review site settings
• Make any last-minute changes

And post when you're ready!

How to successfully create and sell online courses using Softr

The following steps will only be useful if you have chosen to create your online course with Softr. You'll see that the steps are simple and easy to follow.

Step 1. Create your classroom space

To set up your course pages, you need to set up a closed area with your courses (for example, video content tutorials) and provide a payment link for your users to purchase. The quickest way to get started is by using our online course template During the creation of a new application.

The online course template has its dedicated Airtable base, which is already set up and filled with dummy data that you can edit with your own information.

By default, the basic Airtable template has fields such as subject, description, video, and thumbnail for each video lesson, but you can edit or add as many additional fields as needed. You can also set up the list in your Softr application to adjust search, filtering, and sorting. This video shows you how to set up filtering and sorting for the list block, which is used for the online courses page.

Step 2. Set up imposed content

Now that you've defined your course blocks, you can start defining your access guidelines and grid content. Softr has all the features you need to help you create a members-only website without having to connect an additional membership service.

Make sure you've already used the user account blocks to create all the necessary pages, such as registration/login, password reset, etc. before moving on to content management.

The page or block visibility feature allows you to specify the level of access for each separate page or block.

The functionality described is sufficient to configure member access to the space in your courses.

Step 3. Sell online courses

Once you've set up your secure area, you can start setting up payment options and selling your content. To do this, you need to connect your Stripe account and add a payment block where users will make payments. Define a one-time plan or a monthly/annual subscription based on your business model.

In the previous section, we covered the visibility function of blocks and pages for logged-in and non-logged in users. Paid access works in a similar way. You can set custom conditions for each block or page to grant access based on certain parameters only (for example, “only subscribers can access the page or block X”). The “Adding conditions” section of our documentation on block and page visibility provides a detailed explanation of how this works.

All you need to do is set up a payment page for each subscription plan or single purchase and, as soon as the user makes a payment, redirect them to the block/page configured according to the conditions defined above. That way, you can ensure granular levels of access and offer a variety of different subscription plans or products all in one place.

Can I export my Softr web application?

Not yet! However, if you really want to have this option, please contact us and we will surely find a solution.

Can I use my custom domain?

Absolutely! You can connect your custom domain to the platform in all paid plans.

Does Softr provide an API?

Yes, Softr does provide an API.

What is Softr used for?

Softr is a software for creating websites. Softr offers the following features:

• Patterns
• WYSIWYG editor
• Online store creator
• Importing and Exporting Content
• SEO management

How much does Softr cost?

Softr pricing starts at $24.0 per month. Softr offers 3 different plans:

• Starting at $24.00 per month.
• Professional at $65.00 per month.
• Business at $165.00 per month.

Softr also offers a free plan with limited features.

Does Softr offer a free plan?

Yes, Softr offers a free plan.