What is no-code and why it’s not just about “speed”

Revend Group is a Ukrainian UX/UI agency that helps businesses scale through a systematic approach to design. Che IT Group is a progressive Ukrainian IT company specializing in technical development and implementation of modern solutions. Together, we combined our design and technology expertise to execute a large-scale international project.

Client, 1-800-D2C, is a leading global platform for D2C brands. Their goal was ambitious: to organize a chaotic market of tools and agencies by creating a catalog with premium content that helps brands discover, compare, and connect with trusted solutions. And all of this needed to be done within the tightest deadlines possible.

Get an inside scoop of the platform’s tech evolution!

Picture the Wild West of D2C tools – hundreds of agencies, thousands of SaaS products, and countless promises, but no sheriff in town to separate the legitimate from the questionable. That’s precisely what D2C brand owners faced until 1-800-D2C decided to create order in this chaos.

Their vision? Build the ultimate catalog platform where D2C brands could discover, compare, and connect with verified tools and agencies. But here’s the twist – they needed it fast, scalable, and sophisticated enough to handle premium content that only registered users could access.

The D2C discovery dilemma: Too many choices, too little clarity

Creating a platform that solves real business problems meant understanding the unique challenges D2C brands face:

The analysis paralysis problem. D2C entrepreneurs were spending weeks researching tools instead of growing their businesses. With new “must-have” solutions appearing daily, choosing the right tech stack became more overwhelming than building the actual business. They needed a trusted guide, not just another directory.

The premium content challenge. The most valuable insights – detailed reviews, performance analytics, and insider recommendations – must be exclusive. But how do you create a membership system that feels valuable rather than restrictive? The platform had to balance open discovery with premium depth.

The speed-to-market race. In the fast-moving D2C world, waiting months for a custom platform wasn’t an option. They needed something that could launch quickly but grow intelligently – basically, they wanted their cake and eat it too (and who doesn’t? 🍰).

Our no-code solution: Building smart without the complexity

We created a sophisticated platform that looks custom-built but operates with no-code efficiency:

The Webflow foundation
Rather than diving into months of custom development, we leveraged Webflow’s power to create a platform that feels enterprise-grade. Every design element was carefully built to match their vision while ensuring the site loads faster than users can scroll through competitor options.

The Memberstack magic
Here’s where things got interesting: We integrated Memberstack to create a smooth user experience that gates premium content without frustrating visitors. Users can browse the basic catalog freely, but the real gold – detailed analytics and exclusive reviews – awaits those who join the community.

The Airtable integration
Managing 500+ services isn’t easy. We connected Airtable as the backend powerhouse, allowing the team to update service information, manage categories, and moderate reviews without touching a single line of code. It’s like having a personal assistant who never sleeps and never makes mistakes.

The content-gating strategy
We didn’t just throw up registration walls everywhere. Instead, we created a smart system where users get enough value upfront to want more, then seamless access to premium insights once they’re part of the community. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a great first date – intriguing enough to want a second one.

From idea to industry standard: The transformation delivered

The results speak to the power of choosing the right tools for the job:

Launch success
What could have taken 6-12 months with custom development was launched in 6 weeks. The 1-800-D2C platform went live with full functionality, responsive design, and a content management system that the team could use independently from day one.

User engagement achievement
The gated content strategy worked brilliantly. Users weren’t annoyed by registration requirements – they were excited about accessing exclusive insights. Premium membership conversions exceeded expectations because the value proposition was crystal clear.

Scalability without headaches
As the platform grew, new services, categories, and content types were added through simple CMS updates rather than development sprints. The team gained the freedom to respond to market needs in real-time 📈.

This is not the end!

The platform continues evolving with exciting enhancements:

Advanced search and filtering capabilities
Personalized recommendations based on user behavior
Integration with additional business intelligence tools
Enhanced analytics for service providers
Mobile app development for on-the-go discovery

This project proves that

Sometimes the most intelligent technical decision isn’t the most complex. By choosing the right no-code tools and implementing them thoughtfully, we created a platform that delivers enterprise functionality with startup agility. Our client didn’t just get a website – they got a business edge that grows stronger every day ✨