My No-Code Tools Stack (2020 Edition)

How I Built a Marketplace Without Code (And How You Can Too!)

Hi there, I’m Connor, the founder of Unicorn Factory, a freelancer marketplace based in New Zealand. If you’ve ever thought about creating your own online marketplace or directory but felt held back by not knowing how to code or lacking funding, you’re in the right place. Today, I’ll share how I built Unicorn Factory without writing a single line of code and how you can do the same.

One year ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the No-Code Conference in San Francisco about how I built Unicorn Factory using tools like Webflow, Airtable, and Zapier. That talk sparked a lot of interest, and since then, people have been asking for updates on how the platform has evolved. Today marks the one-year anniversary of that talk, and to celebrate, I’m diving into the tools and workflows that power Unicorn Factory.

Whether you’re new to no-code tools or already experimenting, this guide will show you what’s possible and help you get started on your journey. Let’s dive in!

What Is Unicorn Factory?

Unicorn Factory is a two-sided marketplace that connects New Zealand businesses with local freelancers. Here’s how it works:

• For Clients: Businesses can browse freelancer profiles, filter based on skills, experience, and availability, or post project briefs on our job board. From there, freelancers apply directly, making the hiring process quick and frictionless.
• For Freelancers: Freelancers have a dashboard where they can browse job postings, track profile visits, update their availability and rates, and even celebrate wins with our Slack-integrated deal tracker.

Since launching in June 2018, over 2,000 freelancers have applied, 550 are actively using the platform, and more than 1,600 businesses have hired talent through Unicorn Factory. It’s even expanding to Canada as I’ve moved here.

And the best part? It was built without funding, developers, or coding knowledge.

The No-Code Tools I Use

Let’s look at the core tools that power Unicorn Factory. These are tools you can learn and start using today to build your own platform.

1. Webflow

Webflow is where my no-code journey began. It’s a visual website builder that lets you design mobile-responsive websites without writing code. Here’s why it’s great:

• Visual Design: Drag-and-drop elements like text, images, and forms onto the page, and Webflow automatically generates the underlying code.
• CMS Functionality: Webflow’s content management system (CMS) allows you to create template-driven pages, like freelancer profiles or case studies, populated dynamically from your database.

When I first tried Webflow, I struggled to figure it out. But after diving into tutorials on YouTube and Webflow University, I got the hang of it. If you stick with it for a few months, you’ll unlock some serious design superpowers.

2. Airtable

Airtable acts as the database for Unicorn Factory, storing all freelancer and client information, transactions, and profile updates. Here’s why Airtable is a game-changer:

• Sleek Interface: Organize and visualize data with ease.
• Filtered Views: Create custom views for different use cases, like showing only freelancers who are ready to be published on the site.
• Automation: With integrations like Zapier and Make.com, you can connect Airtable to other tools for seamless data flow.

Airtable’s mobile app also lets me manage everything on the go, whether approving new freelancers or updating records.

3. Zapier

Zapier connects apps and automates workflows. For example, it sends data from Airtable to Webflow when a freelancer is approved. With over 2,000 app integrations, Zapier makes automation accessible for beginners.

Setting up Zaps (automated workflows) is incredibly satisfying and saves hours of manual work.

4. Memberstack

Memberstack enables user accounts and gated content on Webflow sites. Freelancers can log in, update their profiles, and access additional features like analytics. Memberstack also handles payments, making it easy to monetize your platform.

5. JetBoost

JetBoost adds advanced filtering and search functionality to the freelancer directory, improving the user experience. For instance, clients can filter freelancers by skills, availability, and rates, making it easier to find the perfect match.

6. Parabola

Parabola helps keep all platforms in sync, especially for bulk updates. For example, when updating payment plan names, Parabola ensures consistency across Airtable, Webflow, and other tools without manual effort.

7. MailerLite

MailerLite handles email marketing for onboarding freelancers and reminding them about profile updates. It’s simple to use and perfect for creating automated email sequences.

Getting Started with No-Code

If you’re ready to dive into no-code, here are a few tips to get started:

1. Pick One Tool to Learn First: I recommend starting with Webflow. It’s a fantastic entry point and gives you visible results quickly.
2. Stick with It: Learning no-code tools takes time. It took me 4-5 months to feel comfortable with Webflow and a year to launch Unicorn Factory. Be patient.
3. Start Small: Build a simple directory or landing page before tackling a full marketplace.
4. Leverage Community Resources: Platforms like Webflow and Airtable have excellent tutorials and communities ready to help.

Why No-Code Works for Entrepreneurs

No-code tools are perfect for people who care more about building functional platforms than becoming developers. With no-code, you can:

• Launch quickly without the high cost of developers.
• Iterate and improve based on user feedback.
• Focus on solving real problems instead of getting bogged down in technical details.

The Journey Ahead

Since learning no-code tools, I’ve built websites, automated workflows, and created databases for clients. These tools have been life-changing for me, and I’m confident they can be for you too.

Over the next few videos, I’ll dive deeper into specific tools and workflows, showing you exactly how I run Unicorn Factory. If this resonates with you, subscribe to my channel and let me know in the comments what you’d like to learn next.

Let’s build something epic together. See you in the next video!