I Used AI To Build This $900K/mo App In A Day

Introduction

In today’s digital landscape, many applications are generating significant revenue through innovative functionalities. One category that has gained immense popularity is plant identification apps, with some making upwards of $ 900,000 per month. In this article, I will walk you through how I replicated one of these successful apps using AI technology, without any prior coding knowledge.

Building a Plant Identifier Web App

Today, I'll be showcasing the process of building a plant identification website that allows users to upload an image or take a live photo of a plant and receive detailed information about it almost instantly. Here’s a structured overview of how the app works and how to replicate it.

Core Functionality Overview

When users land on the page, they are presented with two options: either upload an image of a plant or take a live photo using their smartphone. After selecting an image, the app will process the image and display details such as the plant's name, scientific classification, a description, and additional information in a table format.

No Coding Experience Needed

Even if you have zero coding knowledge, you can create an app like this using AI tools. In this case, I utilized an AI tool called Cloud AI, which is capable of generating code quicker and more efficiently than traditional coding platforms. Here’s a rundown of the development steps involved.

Getting Started

Project Setup: I started by creating a Next.js project. Instead of using a local IDE, I opted for an online IDE called Replit for convenience.
Install Necessary Packages: Once the project was created, I installed the Google Generative AI npm package, which would allow the app to identify plants.
UI/UX Development: Following that, I set up the interface using components for image uploading and plant information display. I styled the application using Tailwind CSS to ensure it looked modern and appealing.
Integrating the AI: To identify the plants, I utilized the Google Gemini API. This involved generating an API key and integrating it into the app backend.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Throughout the development, I encountered several errors, such as invalid API keys and deprecated models. Each time I faced a challenge, I merely copied the error message and asked Cloud AI for guidance on resolving the issue. It gave me the necessary code adjustments in a matter of moments.

Enhancing Features

After the core functionality was up and running, I continued to enhance the app's features:

Displaying images directly on the screen, below the identification details.
Adding navigation and footer components for an improved user experience.
Creating a feature that allows users to capture photos directly from their device’s camera.

Final Touches

To personalize the aesthetics, I requested a gradient background and modified UI elements to better align with modern design standards. This included ensuring that components like feature cards were aligned properly, which I achieved with additional prompts to the AI.

Launching the App

After thorough testing and adjustments, the app was ready and operational. Users can now upload images or take live photos, and the app provides immediate identification for a variety of plants.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates the potential of AI in app development. Even without extensive coding knowledge, anyone can create functional web apps, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As AI continues to evolve, it simplifies the coding process, allowing people to focus on creativity and ideas rather than technical obstacles.

Keywords

Plant Identification App
AI Technology
Cloud AI
Google Gemini API
Web App Development
No Coding Knowledge
Next.js
Tailwind CSS
Online IDE
Replit

FAQ

1. Can I build a web app without any coding knowledge?
Yes, using tools like Cloud AI, it is possible to generate code and develop functional applications without prior coding experience.

2. What technologies are used in this project?
This app was built using Next.js for the framework, Tailwind CSS for styling, and Google Gemini API for plant identification.

3. How does Cloud AI assist in troubleshooting errors?
You can copy the error message and ask Cloud AI for solutions, and it can provide you with code adjustments or fixes almost instantly.

4. Is it possible to get real-time image identification using the camera?
Yes, the app includes a feature that allows users to capture images directly from their device's camera for immediate identification.

5. How can I deploy this app into production?
While you can build the app with minimal coding knowledge, having a basic understanding of JavaScript and React will help when deploying the app to production.