Are you still using spreadsheets to manage your business? Or maybe you're frustrated with today's project management and CRM tools that feel too complicated and too pricey. You're not alone. Many small businesses face the same problem.
But there’s a better way.
In this article, you’ll learn how to create your own custom CRM, project management tool, customer portal, and more—all without writing a single line of code. The solution? A no-code app builder called Knack.
What Is Knack?
Knack is a user-friendly platform that allows you to build exactly what you want in a business app. Whether you need a CRM, a customer service portal, or a project dashboard, Knack lets you create it without being locked into someone else’s idea of what those tools should be.
And the best part? It’s much more affordable than most other tools.
Build a CRM That Works for You
Instead of using someone else's CRM layout, Knack lets you customize everything. You can choose exactly what fields you want to see—nothing more, nothing less. Want a simple list of leads with just the info you care about? Done.
For example, you might only want to track name, email, and sales stage. In Knack, that's all you'll see. No extra empty fields. No complicated settings. Just what matters to you.
You can also create different pages to view your data in different ways. And remember, there's a difference between Knack's interface—and what you’ve built using Knack.
Create a Visual Project Management System
Maybe you want something more visual, like a dashboard for your team. You can design pages that show key metrics, project status, or anything else that's important.
Need to track team tasks or deadlines? You can do that. Want your staff to see performance data when they log in? You can design that too. Knack is fully customizable.
Set Up a Powerful Customer Portal
Do your clients need a secure place to manage their accounts? Knack can do that. You can create a customer portal where clients log in to submit service requests, track progress, and view their invoice history.
You can even let them make payments through your app. It’s all possible with Knack.
How Knack Works: Tables, Users, and Pages
Knack is built around three main parts:
Tables – Think of these like spreadsheets. They store your data, but you won’t need to spend much time here. You can import existing data or collect new data from your app.
Users – You can create different roles like sales reps, managers, or clients. Each role can have different access and permissions. You decide who sees what.
Pages – This is what users interact with. Design custom dashboards, forms, or reports. Choose exactly what appears on each screen.
Customize Everything With Ease
Adding and editing fields in Knack is as easy as using a form builder. You can change field names, data types, and decide if fields are required.
Want to sort a dropdown alphabetically? No problem. Want to create a default option? You can do that too. The point is—you’re in control.
When you or your team adds a new contact or lead, they’ll see the exact fields and layout you’ve designed. It’s clean, it’s efficient, and it works.
Manage User Roles with Flexibility
With Knack, you’re not limited to a few user roles. Add as many as you like. Maybe you need roles for sales reps, managers, clients, and even vendors.
Each role can have its own set of permissions. For example, clients might only see their data, while managers see everything. You decide.
Design Your Interface Your Way
From the login screen to individual dashboards, you can customize every detail. Choose the layout, colors, and buttons that make sense for your business.
Don’t need certain features? Leave them out. Want to add a "notes" button or an "archive" function? You can do that with just a few clicks.
You’re never stuck with a one-size-fits-all solution.
Save Money with Simple Pricing
Here’s where Knack really shines: it’s only $19 a month, and that includes unlimited users and roles.
That’s right. Whether you have 1 team member or 50 clients, you only pay $19. You also get unlimited tables, fields, and pages. That makes Knack perfect for solo entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses.
No more worrying about per-user fees or paying extra for basic features. With Knack, it’s all included.
Try Knack for Free
Want to give it a try? Head over to knack.com and start building your app today. No credit card needed.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a tech expert or hire a developer to create a custom app. With Knack, you can build exactly what you need—and only what you need. Whether it’s a CRM, a project dashboard, or a client portal, you can do it all for a fraction of the price.
Say goodbye to spreadsheets. Say goodbye to bloated software.
Say hello to Knack.
