Web app development agency
Innovative, custom and bespoke web app development
Lightflows are web app development company covering Surrey & London, with more than 16 years experience delivering beautifully designed, and useable custom web applications. We accelerate your web application development projects.
With a wide range of web app development services, we use a proven, modern technology to deliver innovative solutions. Our forward-looking approach is result-driven, focusing on helping our clients achieve their goals more quickly.
We’re a web app development company in London
In today’s working environment, web applications – AKA web apps or web-based software – are ubiquitous and can help businesses solve various challenges. From entirely new product ideas to digitally transforming internal processes or legacy systems, we can help.
Our web development company specialises in developing custom web app solutions such as CRM systems, ERP systems, and client service portals to streamline your operations and reduce administrative burdens. . Let us help you achieve your business goals by lending our expertise and commitment to delivering top-quality web applications.
Web application development services
New product development
Work with a web app development company that truly understands your business and project requirements. Our team of experts immerses themselves in your project and industry, creating a solution that not only meets but exceeds your expectations — from the initial MVP to a fully scaled application.
Scaling your web app
As a leading web app development company, we’re equally experienced in supporting teams and providing expertise from our side. Our flexible approach allows you to scale up your web app development team , accelerating your project delivery.
Legacy app modernisation
Breathe new life into outdated systems with our legacy app modernisation services. Take on-premise or desktop based software into the web. We can refactor and optimise, or rebuild your existing codebase to improve performance, scalability, and security, ensuring it meets today’s standards.
Ready to start?
Web app development solutions
Our solutions
01
Web application development for startups
02
Customer portal web applications
03
Enterprise systems
04
SaaS products
05
Product development
06
Bespoke CRM systems
07
Progressive Web Apps
08
Web application support & maintenance
01 /
Web application development for startups
If you’re a startup founder with a big idea but unsure where to begin, we can help. With our conveniently located team of web app developers in London and Surrey, we’re perfectly placed to help startups and Fintech companies
Quickly bring your ideas to life with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that’s user-focused and market-ready. We help you prioritise key features, test your concept, and get valuable feedback without overextending resources.
Our team, based in London and Surrey, has guided many startups, including FinTech businesses, to turn their vision into reality. Lean on our team’s experience and accelerate your web app project.
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Customer portal web applications
One of the many types of web applications, our customers come to us for, are customer portals. We’ve helped several businesses increase their customer service, boosting loyalty and brand awareness by developing custom business software and reducing costs by operating their services via a customer portal.
With features like AI assistants and chatbots, online policy and document storage your customers enjoy seamless, efficient support.
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Enterprise systems
Whether you’re starting from scratch or need support for an existing team, we plan, design, and build enterprise systems tailored to your business. Collaborating with your internal teams, we accelerate delivery with scalable, bespoke solutions that solve complex challenges.
04 /
SaaS products
We specialise in building SaaS platforms that scale. From cloud-based solutions to user-friendly interfaces, we create products that engage users and deliver measurable results. Our approach ensures secure, cost-effective development for businesses of all sizes.
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Product development
Deliver powerful web apps that provide seamless experiences across devices. Our team ensures your application is responsive, adaptable, and perfectly optimised for mobile, tablet, and desktop use. By focusing on usability and design consistency, we help you create a product that meets user expectations while maintaining a polished, professional look across all platforms.
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Bespoke CRM systems
Simplify your business processes with a fully customised CRM system designed to fit your needs. From automation tools that save time to advanced integrations with your existing software, we create CRMs that enhance efficiency and improve customer interactions. Tailored to support your growth, our solutions ensure your team stays organised and your customers feel valued.
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Progressive Web Apps
Deliver the best of web and mobile worlds with PWAs. We design apps that work offline, load quickly, and provide a native-like experience – perfect for businesses aiming for accessibility, speed, and engagement.
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Web application support & maintenance
Ensure your web app stays secure, reliable, and up-to-date with our comprehensive support and maintenance services. From regular updates to bug fixes and performance enhancements, we take a proactive approach to keeping your app running smoothly. As your business grows, we’re here to help you adapt and evolve your app to meet new challenges and opportunities.
Web app developers, accelerated project delivery and team augmentation
We understand the challenges and complexities of delivering software, so hiring a specialist team of custom web app developers accelerates your product delivery.
We work with our partners in several ways. Whether you have a project you’re starting from scratch, or the need to augment or support your team, we can help; We work with you to plan, architect, and build your system. Or we can do it all—designing, architecting, and developing your system.
We’ll collaborate and work with your CTO, IT and internal development teams to accelerate the delivery of projects, delivering innovative and functional bespoke web-based software.
Whichever way you work, however, your team is structured, we can help. We’ll lend our expertise and knowledge of technology to projects, and deliver to your advantage.
Back-end web app technologies
We have several go-to technologies and frameworks we can recommend. Of course, every project is different and we discuss the pros and cons of various approaches before making a selection with you.
Node.js
A powerful JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 engine, enabling server-side scripting and scalable network applications.
Ruby on Rails
A dynamic web application framework that emphasises convention over configuration, enabling rapid development and maintainable code.
NEXT.js
A powerful framework for building server-rendered React applications, providing a seamless development experience and enhanced performance.
.NET
A versatile framework for building web and desktop applications using multiple programming languages, ensuring performance, security, and scalability.
Symfony
Symfony is a flexible PHP framework that promotes reusable components and best practices, accelerating the development of high-quality web applications.
Front-end web app technologies
There are many front-end technologies and frameworks that can be used to build modern applications. We’ve chosen a robust set of go-to options that we can recommend.
TypeScript
A strongly-typed superset of JavaScript that adds static typing and advanced features to enhance code quality and maintainability.
Javascript
JavaScript is a versatile programming language that allows developers to create dynamic and interactive web applications with ease.
React
A popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces, enabling developers to create reusable UI components and efficient rendering.
Vue.js
A progressive JavaScript framework for building user interfaces, known for its simplicity, flexibility, and seamless integration capabilities.
HTML 5
The latest version of the hyper text mark-up language, providing enhanced features and improved functionality for building modern web applications.
CSS 3
The latest version of Cascading Style Sheets, offering advanced styling capabilities and animations to enhance the visual appeal of web pages.
Web app business benefits
A bespoke, or custom web app has all the benefits of traditional software, except it is cost-effective, easily accessible and scales with your businesses needs. We’ve delivered innovative web apps to companies in many industries, including finance, technology, construction and recruitment. Partner with us for accelerated software delivery and a stress-free experience when building your product.
Cost savings
Web apps can be developed and distributed quickly, which can help to keep development costs down.
Scalability
Custom web apps can adapt and change as business needs change, ensuring that the software can grow with your company. Scalable server architecture allow you to dial resources up and down at will.
Speed of development
With many open source frameworks, building blocks and powerful toolkits, we can build custom software solutions quickly, allowing businesses to get their products to market faster.
Reliability
Well architected web apps ensures that your software is reliable, reducing the need for costly maintenance and making it easier to identify and fix bugs.
Web app security
Our security team employ features that protect against common web vulnerabilities, giving business owners peace of mind knowing that their and their customer’s data will be safe and secure.
Third-party integration
Web apps can be integrated with many other services such as payment gateways, marketing tools, and more, giving businesses access to a wide range of functionality to enhance their software.
Industry experience
FinTech
Financial web applications are an essential part of modern financial services, offering users a range of tools to manage their finances. Some of the popular financial web applications include insurance, financial management software, portfolio tracking.
Startups and SaaS
Startups are always looking for ways to innovate and disrupt traditional industries. One example is a new concept in property, a review site developed from scratch. This type of software can help buyers and sellers make informed decisions by providing user-generated reviews of properties, neighbourhoods, and estate agents
Hospitality
The hospitality industry is also taking advantage of web applications to streamline operations and improve customer experience. Applications for bookings, membership, and loyalty are becoming increasingly popular. These apps can help hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses attract and retain customers, while also providing them with a more personalised experience.
PropTech
The construction industry is also benefiting from web applications, particularly sales suite experience software. This software can help builders showcase their properties to potential buyers, providing them with an immersive and interactive experience. This can help builders close deals more quickly and efficiently, while also providing buyers with a more engaging and informative experience.
Your trusted digital partner
We excel at marketing websites, innovative web apps and mobile applications, and have helped several funded startups achieve success, building their digital products, as well as many established businesses.
200+
Products launched
16
Years in business
17+
Team members
40%
Increase in website traffic
10+
Awards
Case Studies
Case Studies
Case Studies
Case Studies
What our clients say
Lightflows have done a great job for HomeViews and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
Olly McGinn
Co-founder, Homeviews
Web app development process
Discovery
Every great project starts with discovery. We take the time to deeply understand your goals, audience, and vision, ensuring we’re building the right solution for your needs. Through workshops, research, and analysis, we uncover insights that form the foundation of your web app.
UX design
User experience is at the heart of everything we create. Our designers craft intuitive, accessible interfaces that make using your app a joy. By mapping user journeys and testing designs, we ensure every interaction is seamless and meaningful.
Prototyping
Prototyping brings your vision to life before a single line of code is written. With interactive models, we validate ideas and refine designs based on user feedback. This step ensures we’re creating a product that truly works for your audience.
Development
With a focus on quality and scalability, our developers build robust and secure web applications. We use the latest technologies to deliver a solution that’s fast, reliable, and future-proof. Collaboration with your team ensures the final product aligns with your goals.
Testing & QA
Testing is where we ensure your web app meets the highest standards. Through rigorous quality assurance, we identify and fix any issues, ensuring performance, security, and usability. This step gives you confidence that your app is ready for launch.
Support and maintenance
Our support doesn’t end at launch. We provide ongoing maintenance to keep your app secure, updated, and performing at its best. Whether it’s fixing bugs, adding features, or scaling with your business, we’re here to help.
Marketing
A great web app needs the right audience. We help you create strategies to attract, engage, and retain users, ensuring your product makes an impact. From launch campaigns to ongoing growth plans, we support your success every step of the way.
Let’s work together
Do you have a project in mind? Or do you need some further information about our services? Feel free to get in touch below.
Enquiry Form
Our clients
Why choose Lightflows for your project
We have delivered projects to companies in many sectors.In this section you’ll find details of this experience, that may be relevant to you.
We’re experienced
When it comes to digital, we’ve done it all. Whatever the scale of your project, we use the advantage of everything we’ve done before to deliver creativity, technical acumen, insight, and strategic common sense.
We’re proactive
You can count on us to do more than you counted on. We’ll go above and beyond to act before you ask us, spot challenges before they become problems, and bring new ideas and opportunities to light.
We’re collaborative
We love tech, but we’re people people at heart. For us, collaboration is about more than being easy to work with—it’s having a partner that shares your excitement and your appetite to create something special
We’re invested
When you invest in us, we get invested in you. We take every project personally—it’s there in our refusal to settle for second-best and the way we take ownership and accountability.
Ready to start the
conversation?
FAQ about web apps
There will always be many questions when choosing a partner and software solution. Here we’ve listed some of the most frequently asked questions at the agency about web application development.
Web apps, or web applications, are software programs that are stored on remote servers and delivered over the Internet through a browser interface. Unlike traditional desktop applications, which need to be installed on the user’s computer, web apps can be accessed through the web browser, requiring no installation on the user’s device.
Web apps are built using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and can be accessed using various web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc. They run on a web server, and the user interacts with them via a web client.
Central London Office:
We’re located at: 1-2 Paris Garden in Southwark, London. SE1 8ND
Transport:
Southwark Underground station is 5 minutes walk
For overground we’re less than 10 minutes from Waterloo
You’ll also find us at: The Surrey Technology Centre, 40 Occam Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YG
Transport:
There’s a free Shuttle to the park from Guildford Station, we can arrange this for you ahead of time.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a type of web application that use modern web technologies to provide a user experience that is similar to a traditional or native mobile app. PWAs can be thought of as a hybrid between regular web pages (or websites) and a mobile application.
They are designed to work on any platform that uses a standards-compliant browser, including both desktop and mobile devices.
Here are some key features of PWAs:
- Progressive: They work for every user, regardless of browser choice, because they’re built with progressive enhancement as a core tenet.
- Responsive: They fit any form factor, desktop, mobile, tablet, or whatever is next.
- Connectivity Independent: Enhanced with service workers to work offline or on low-quality networks.
- App-Like: They mimic the interaction and navigation of native apps.
- Fresh: Always up-to-date thanks to the service worker update process.
- Safe: Served via HTTPS to prevent snooping and ensure content hasn’t been tampered with.
- Discoverable: They are identifiable as applications thanks to W3C manifests and service worker registration scope allowing search engines to find them.
- Re-engageable: They make re-engagement easy through features like push notifications.
- Installable: Allow users to “keep” apps they find most useful on their home screen without the hassle of an app store.
- Linkable: Easily shared via a URL and do not require complex installation.
Twitter, Pinterest, and Starbucks, among others, have progressive web apps that offer offline functionality and almost identical features to their native apps.
No at all. Whilst you can outsource your web development to us, we don’t outsource any of our development work. As web app developers with offices in London and Surrey, we’re a 100% UK based web development company. All of our engineering team and web developers are based here in the United Kingdom, at either our London or Surrey offices.
What is web development?
Web development is the process of building and maintaining websites. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from creating simple, static web pages to developing complex, dynamic web applications. It includes both front-end (client-side) and back-end (server-side) development.
What is web app development?
Web app development is a specialized area within web development focused on creating application-like programs that run on a web server and are accessed through a web browser. These are typically more complex and interactive than standard websites.
What are the key differences in skills required for web development and web app development?
While both fields require knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, web app development often demands a deeper understanding of advanced web technologies and frameworks (like React, Angular, Vue for front-end; Node.js, Laravel or .NET for back-end), as well as expertise in areas like state management and dynamic content.
Can a web development company build a web app?
Yes, a web developer or company can build a web app, especially if they have the necessary skills in advanced web technologies and frameworks. However, building complex web apps requires specialised knowledge in web app development.
Examples of web applications include social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, TikTok), email services (e.g., Gmail, Outlook), e-commerce sites (e.g., Amazon, eBay), online banking platforms, CRMs such as HubSpot, productivity tools such as Monday.com, Asana, even popular everyday sites such as AirBnb, Uber and Lyft have several web apps as part of their platform.
Web applications typically consist of a client-side component (i.e., the user interface) and a server-side component (i.e., the back-end logic). The client-side component is executed in the user’s web browser, while the server-side component is executed on a web server.
What technologies are used to build web applications? Web applications can be built using a variety of technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various web frameworks such as Angular, React, and Vue on the front-end, and server-side languages such as PHP, Python, and Ruby on Rails on the back-end.
Web applications are highly accessible and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. They can also be easily updated and maintained without requiring users to download or install new software.
Responsive design is a design approach that ensures that web applications are optimised for different screen sizes and devices. It is important for web applications because it ensures that users can access and use the application on any device, from smartphones to desktop computers.
While a website is a collection of web pages that provide information about a particular topic or organisation, a web application is a software program that allows users to perform specific tasks or functions. Web applications typically have more complex functionality than websites and require more sophisticated programming and design.
