We’ve all worked with business apps that feel like puzzles—too many steps, too many fields, and not nearly enough guidance. The worst part? A lot of these apps are technically sound. They just feel complex, and that’s enough to turn users off.

But here’s the challenge: most enterprise apps aren’t complicated by accident. They have to manage real-world workflows, strict business rules, and multiple systems behind the scenes. So how do you deliver that level of functionality without overwhelming users?

That’s something I’ve had to figure out firsthand. And today, I want to share what’s worked for me—using Bellini, Lonti’s low-code app builder—as my go-to tool for building apps that feel simple, even when they’re doing a lot behind the scenes.

Start With the User Flow, Not the Features

It’s tempting to start with the feature list or the database schema. But the most important question is: What is the user trying to do?

I always begin by mapping the journey. If I’m building a dashboard for a sales manager, I’m thinking in terms of questions they need answers to—not just tables or charts. If it’s a workflow for operations, I break it down into steps they naturally follow in their day-to-day.

When you design the app around those flows, instead of stacking features on a screen, the experience becomes easier to understand and navigate—no matter how much complexity is going on in the background.

Reveal Complexity Gradually

One of my favorite UX principles is progressive disclosure: show users only what they need right now, and let them explore deeper options only if (and when) they need them.

In Bellini, I can build dynamic components that change based on user selections, permissions, or data. If someone selects a vendor, only then do I show the contract fields. If they check a box for advanced settings, I can reveal more UI elements. The goal is to keep the interface focused and non-intimidating by default, while still offering full control to power users.

Structure the UI Like a Conversation

I like to think of a good UI as a two-way conversation. Instead of dumping every input field on screen, I group things logically. Cards, accordions, and step-based flows go a long way toward making the app feel intuitive—even if it’s interacting with multiple APIs behind the scenes.

And speaking of APIs…

Let the Backend Do the Heavy Lifting

I don’t believe in stuffing the frontend with business logic. That’s what APIs are for.

With Bellini, I bind components to APIs built in Martini, Lonti’s integration engine. Those APIs are often based on models from Negroni, which standardizes data across systems.

This lets me build a responsive UI that reacts to real-time data—without making the front end brittle or overloaded. Need to trigger a multi-step process? That happens in Martini. Need to clean or format data? That’s handled before the UI ever sees it.

Design for 90%—Support the 10%

There will always be weird use cases, special conditions, or edge-case workflows that only one team uses. You need to support them—but they shouldn’t dominate the UI.

I isolate those flows with modals, secondary tabs, or toggles. That way, the core experience stays clean, and advanced users still have what they need.

Microcopy Is Underrated

I can’t stress this enough: naming matters. Instead of “Submit Entity” or “Execute Action,” I’ll use labels like “Submit for Review” or “Send Invoice.” It might seem small, but it makes the interface more human—and it builds trust.

Even error messages matter. A vague “Validation error” is useless. “Please enter a valid invoice number” is something the user can act on.

Watch Real People Use It

This one’s simple: observe someone using your app.

I’ve done screen shares where I just watch a user navigate through the UI. No explanations. Just observation. Every time, I’ve found something I could improve in minutes—whether it was rearranging components or adjusting defaults.

With Bellini’s visual interface, making those adjustments is fast. I can rebuild a better version before the next meeting.

Final Thoughts: Complexity in the Backend, Simplicity in the Front

Building powerful business apps doesn’t mean overwhelming users. It means making complex systems feel simple.

By designing around flows, revealing complexity gradually, and leaning on clean APIs, I’ve been able to build apps that are robust under the hood—but intuitive and fast on the surface.

Original source: How to Make Complex Business Apps Feel Simple for Users