Flutter for Web App Development: The Cross-Platform Companion For Your Business

Quick Overview: Flutter is majorly renowned and opted for mobile app development. But you can develop user-friendly web apps using Flutter. Even if you want to transform your existing application or make a new one, Flutter for web app development is a handy solution. Here is the guide on developing a web app using Flutter along with its advantages & disadvantages.    

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From Google to BMW and Nubank, Flutter has become their fantastic technology partner. It has transformed its offering and deployed a native-like solution in less turnaround time. Its mobile and web support work terrifically with narrowing down your business needs. 

Flutter for mobile apps is a common concept. But Flutter for web application development is not a frequently known solution. Various custom web app development companies offer Flutter’s multi-platform tailored to the market demands. However, the Flutter web app is a top-notch choice indeed for your business. So, let’s begin with what it is and its workability. 

What is Flutter for Web App & how does it work? 

Flutter — The fabulous framework for web applications. It allows the integration of complicated web app solutions with high-end graphics and UI components. Majorly to showcase or reach on diverse devices. Flutter smoothly compiles to native codes and delivers single-page applications. It enables mobile and web browser compatibility for your Flutter web application.  

Moreover, Flutter uses the Dart programming language to make appealing web applications. You can even develop and deploy PWAs using Flutter. Flutter being the versatile solution fits the tech stack of web development in recent times. To elaborate on the benefits of Flutter for web development, read further. 

Benefits of Flutter for Web App Development

The advantages and disadvantages of Flutter for the web can be decisive aspects of your project. So, here are the benefits of Flutter for web application development.   

• Single/Unified Codebase 

Using the shared codebase of Flutter you can make appealing web applications. It is the most enticing feature that develops mobile and web solutions simultaneously. Without the need to write separate code bases for web applications, Flutter uses Dart to deploy on different platforms. So, it saves Flutter web app development costs and delivers it in less turnaround time.

• Highly Optimized UIs

While you build web applications using Flutter, you can remain rest assured for the designing part. Flutter has its treasure box of built-in UI kits and customizable widgets. You make the compatible and user-centric design for your Flutter for the web. Hence, it is a sort of one-stop technology to fulfill your web applications’ design aspect.       

• Create Appealing MVPs

The most compelling benefit is that it is an exceptionally great choice for MVP (minimum viable product) development. Flutter for MVP development is the best-in-class solution. You can develop MVPs at a minimized cost with the strong support of the Firebase backend. So, you can make manageable Flutter MVP web applications.  

• Google-Based Functionality

Flutter being the Google-driven framework has vast capabilities that make it outshine others. The Flutter web allows the web app access across devices. Flutter is smoothly compatible with Google APIs and native code compilation for Chrome or related web browsers. Thus, it can be easily used using your Flutter for web app URLs.   

As you have gotten insights into the advantages of Flutter for web apps, you might be excited to use Flutter Web. So, you will get the coding steps to build a web application using Flutter. Before that, let’s dig into the overview of the strategic process for successful Flutter web app development.

How to Develop a Web App Using Flutter?

There are certain set standards or guidelines that you have to follow for Flutter web app development. It covers you from the ideation stage to the final launch which are as follows.

• Perform accurate market research & analysis
• Determine your Flutter web app goal 
• Define the targeted audience 
• Fabricate UI/UX wireframes 
• Hire Flutter App Developers 
• Make MVP or Prototype
• Test & Launch Your Flutter Web App
• Upgrade & Maintain Further

The aforementioned is the long-form process. However, the existing business app or projects can easily integrate and deploy the Flutter web. On the other hand, the newbie beginning from the initial stage must conduct research first. So, further in the article you will get the process of running the already-built app in Flutter Web. 

How to Run an Existing App on Flutter Web?

Integrating Flutter for your existing web application can be a streamlined process. You just use the following command to run your project on Flutter Web. 

flutter channel stable
flutter upgrade
flutter create --platform web
flutter config --enable-web

With the given command you can run Flutter Web seamlessly.  After implementing the above code, you can check the Web folder in the directory. Now, click on Edge or Chrome to make your application run on that browser. So, your app is ready to shine through on browsers like Chrome.  

Moreover, this is the case with existing projects. But the new and fresh business product is using Flutter for web app development. It makes the major way for a better Flutter web application from scratch. So, here you go…

Steps to Create Web Application Using Flutter

The below-mentioned steps are technical processes to make a web application with Flutter. You can also consult Flutter web app development company to outsource expert services for your project. 

1) Create the Flutter Web Project 

As you start the new Flutter for web app development project, set up the Flutter latest version. Accordingly, you have to install Dart for Flutter web app development. Write and run the given command to get this step done.

flutter channel stable
flutter upgrade
flutter config --enable-web
flutter create --platform web .

You can ensure the right updated version of Flutter by running the following command:

flutter doctor

2) Install the development tools Package 

The development tools package for Flutter Web is the key aspect. You can easily avail it by the below command;

flutter packages pub global activate webdev

With that, you have to keep in mind that the $HOME/.pub-cache/bin directory is in your project path. It aids in using your webdev command from the terminal smoothly.

3) Pick the Ideal IDE for Flutter Web

When it comes to the Integrated development environment (IDE), there are 3 appropriate choices you have. 

1. Android Studio
2. IntelliJ
3. Visual Studio Code (VSC)

Although you can choose the one that you are comfortable with, VSC is highly recommended. It is easily used for writing and editing codes for web applications.

4) Create a new web project in VSC

As we are considering Visual Studio Code here, you now have to open it and press CTRL + SHIFT + P to open a commanded palette. Now type the following code in it.

Flutter: New Web Project

5) Install dependencies 

Installing the relevant dependencies in the VSC is essential. You have to manually install the Dart project with the given code;

pub global activate stagehand

It will run through the project automatically and load the packages for your project. Next, you have to install webdev by typing the given command;

pub global activate webdev

Now, your Flutter web project is accessible and supported in Chrome. 

6) Run Your Flutter Web App on Port

Now, you have to move to run your Flutter web app on various ports. The below-given settings snapshot will make your project run on any port. 

On the other hand, if you want to make it run on a specific port, you can enter the below-shown command

flutter run -d chrome --web-port 8080

Therefore, it allows Flutter for web apps to run and test on that particular port only. 

7) Deploy Your Flutter for Web App 

Finally, you can deploy your Flutter web app project by running the below command. 

flutter build web

So, you will get a web folder in the project directory. It has native codes implementing index.html.  

As you get your Flutter for a web app, you have to also prevent some limitations of it. It may arise for your project but can be eliminated if put things carefully. 

Limitations of Flutter For Web App Development 

• SEO-Related Issues

SEO is the major concern that arises in the Flutter web app development. As Flutter develops single-page applications, it can’t easily be indexed in the search engine. It renders the content in the form of images. So, the web app is not crawled due to a lack of SEO optimization.             

• Insufficient Browser Compatibility 

The Browser compatibility becomes problematic for Flutter web. It might perform inadequately on a variety of browsers. Developers have to tackle such browser-driven issues priorly. After keeping watch on possible challenges, Flutter for web development can still make way for your business type. Here are the few sectors already beaming with Flutter functionality. 

Which Industries Can Leverage Flutter Web Development?  

The Flutter web development can be highly in demand for diverse industrial verticals. Bringing the benefit of cross-platform, many business web applications will be glorified with Flutter web. Some of the top industries are mentioned below with their receptive real-time example of apps built with Flutter. 

• Health & Fitness Applications – Reflectly
• Finance & Banking Products – Nubank, Google Pay
• Automotive Apps – Xiaomi SU7, BMW and Toyota
• eCommerce web apps – Alibaba, eBay
• Media & Entertainment solution – ByteDance, Hamilton
• Real Estate applications – Realtor 

These are the prime hubs that can get the enormous benefit of Flutter for the web. You can explore the detailed guide on it from the blog on how Flutter helps different industries. Next, we will learn about the cost to build web application using Flutter.

What would be the Flutter web app development cost?

The  Flutter web app development cost is dependent on various factors. From industry type, features, developers’ hourly rate, etc. However, a hiring model like outsourcing can make your Flutter web app project gain cost-efficiency. It will be around $25-$49 per hour. However, you can learn the blog on how to reduce development costs. So, it helps you to create web applications using Flutter smoothly with budget concerns.  

Hire Flutter Folks From Rlogical Techsoft!

The changing and dynamic market will stay for longer. Using Flutter will keep your business adapting to new changes easily. You can partner with our dedicated developers team at Rlogical. They have earned impressive work portfolios and client reviews. 

So, hiring flutter developers for your project will be a foolproof strategy itself. You can schedule a quick meeting with our experts.