Launching an app takes more than writing code. When you consider how to launch an app, you’ll realize that, once you’re done building, you need to make it available to users, which means dealing with hosting, security, and scaling. But many developers end up spending more time troubleshooting these issues than actually working on their app. A recent article reveals that developers spend over 57% of their working hours in urgent meetings to fix performance problems, which pulls them away from what they set out to do: build great software.
This is where cloud platforms with easy deployment pipelines can help. Instead of getting stuck setting up servers or tweaking configurations, you can focus on your app while the provider handles the server-side work. Whether you’re working on a personal project, launching a startup, or rolling out a new tool for your team, some platforms make it easier to move forward and go live without getting lost in infrastructure management.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what it means to launch an app, how cloud platforms compare to traditional deployment, and why Genezio is a great option for developers who want a simple way to go from code to production.
What does launching an app mean?
Launching an app means making it available to users. It means hitting the market. If you’ve built a web app, people need to be able to access it through a URL. You know that part. But getting an app online requires more than uploading files, because people need to access it at any time. So you need to set up hosting, handle security, manage databases, and make sure the app can handle traffic without crashing.
Take an expense tracker, for example. To make it public and try to bring some revenue, you need to deploy it somewhere it can be accessed anytime, from anywhere. If you find an inexpensive hosting solution, you’re good to go, considering your app won’t become an overnight smash hit. But considering you want your app to be a success, this is where things get complicated. Developers often run into challenges with hosting, uptime, scaling, and security — things that have little to do with writing code but are necessary for a successful launch. Because launching an app involves more than just coding, developers need the right tool to simplify the process.
Traditional launching vs. cloud
Traditionally, launching an app meant setting up, getting it running, and then servicing its infrastructure. This involved renting servers, configuring backend services, managing security updates, and scaling resources based on demand. But this approach can be too complex and overwhelming for, let's say, a solo developer, and would typically leave developers with very little time to focus on coding and improving their apps. Still, some companies continue to use this launching method, especially for enterprise apps and legacy systems that demand full control. (But even banks are hosting their cores in the cloud).
Cloud deployment offers a simpler alternative to traditional launching, and in recent years, its adoption has taken off, with 98% of organizations now using some form of cloud services. Instead of provisioning and maintaining physical or virtual machines, developers use cloud platforms to host applications, scale resources automatically, and offload backend management. This speeds up deployment and helps lower the operational workload.
Some of the most popular cloud platforms for app deployment are Firebase and Heroku, but these come with limitations. Firebase charges per document read, which makes queries expensive unless data is structured in a specific way. It also lacks support for relational databases. Heroku, while useful for hosting, has restrictions like a 30-second timeout for uploads, which can be a big issue for some applications.
Genezio takes a different approach. It offers a full-stack cloud platform where you can deploy an app in minutes, and everything else — backend setup, scaling, and infrastructure management— is handled for you. No configuring servers, no load balancer setup, and no scrambling when traffic spikes. Just push your code, and Genezio takes care of the rest. And the free plan is very generous.
How to launch an app in five steps
When you’re ready to launch an app, you don’t want to waste time fiddling with infrastructure. Genezio makes deployment simple as it connects directly to your GitHub repository. It automatically detects the framework you're using — whether it’s React, Next.js app, or another — and takes care of the entire configuration for you. With just one click, your app goes live, and from there, Genezio handles the rest.
The platform manages server resources, applies security updates, and adjusts scaling as needed. If your app starts to get more traffic, Genezio will automatically adjust to meet the demand. And listen carefully here: if you’d like to use a custom domain for your app, which you probably will, Genezio makes setting that up easy. You don’t need to deal with DNS configurations or certificates manually because Genezio handles those details for you, and makes sure your app looks professional right from the start. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to launch an app:
- Develop your app
Think of an idea—like a webapp that lets users remove metadata from a PDF—and code it. If you’re new to coding, run your idea through Lovable or Replit Agent, and then ask for a programmer friend to help you out. Make sure you export your code to GitHub.
- Import your GitHub repository
Once you sign in to your GitHub account, Genezio lets you choose and import your project. It detects your framework automatically.
- Configure settings, if necessary
Genezio builds and deploys your application based on your framework. If you want to change something, you can do it on the platform by changing commands, directories, or settings.
- Deploy quickly
Your project goes live when you click on the Deploy button. Genezio takes care of the infrastructure, so you don’t have to worry about servers, pipes, or scaling.
- Look at your live app
Once deployed, Genezio provides you with a URL where your app is directed to. You can easily add a custom domain to your website. Your project is now operational. You have launched an app.
How to Deploy my App: A Step-by-Step Guide →
Watch out for vendor lock-in when launching an app
Vendor lock-in is a big concern for many developers, especially when a platform ties you to its own set of tools and architectures. A lot of platforms, like Firebase, do this — developers end up feeling stuck, unable to migrate their app elsewhere. Why? Because their databases, authentication system, APIs — basically everything — is locked to a single proprietary set.
Luckily, with Genezio, you won’t face this issue. The platform supports a variety of programming languages and frameworks, so you're not limited to a single ecosystem. This means that if you ever decide to move your app to a different platform, you won't need to rewrite everything from scratch. That’s a great thing about launching on Genezio: there are no strings attached.
Who benefits from simpler serverless platforms?
As a platform built for serverless deployment, Genezio is designed for developers who want to launch apps without dealing with infrastructure management.
If you’re a full-stack developer, you can spend your time writing code and refining your app instead of worrying about deployments. Solo developers and startups can also benefit. You won’t need an entire infrastructure team to launch and scale your app because Genezio takes care of that for you. This means you can get your app out there quickly and easily without the overhead of managing servers.
Genezio is also a solid option for IT teams in companies with outdated infrastructure. The platform lets you deploy modern apps without the need to overhaul your entire system. If you’re working on a side project, building an MVP for your startup, or rolling out a new app for your team, Genezio lets you launch and scale without the usual technicalities of traditional deployment.
Try Genezio to launch your app in just a few minutes
Launching an app shouldn’t be harder than building it. With Genezio, you can skip the traditional deployment hassles and go live in minutes. The platform offers an easy way to deploy your app directly from GitHub, with no need to worry about server configurations or scaling issues. If you’re working on a side project or a startup, Genezio handles the heavy lifting for you and lets you focus on the things that matter most: your code and your users.
One of the best parts about Genezio is its generous free trial. You can launch your app for free and only start paying when it scales, which makes it a perfect option if you're just getting started or want to test out your app in the real world without the upfront costs.
If you’re ready to see how easy launching an app can be, give Genezio a try today. Signing up takes just a few seconds, and you can deploy your app quickly without all the setup and maintenance.
