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The secret to getting great results when building an app is learning how to write better AI prompts. A prompt is simply the instruction you give an AI app builder to tell it what to create. The better the instruction, the better the end result.

A great prompt is the difference between getting a generic result and building the exact app you imagined. With this guide learn how to craft clear, detailed instructions that guide the prompts you can use to create an app with AI. We’ll cover specific examples for different industries and app types, giving you the confidence to start building something amazing.

Why a great prompt is your most important tool when it comes to building an app

Writing a good prompt is about being specific, descriptive and clear about your goals. When you give a detailed prompt, you're providing a roadmap for the AI to follow, which leads to a much better and more accurate final product. Master your prompt engineering and get to focus on the what and why, while the builder handles the how.

The better your prompt, the less time you'll spend making adjustments later. A well-written instruction can help you build an app with the right look, feel, and functionality from the very first try.

The main parts of a great prompt

Before we dive into industry examples, let's break down what makes a prompt effective. A strong prompt generally includes four key elements that work together to paint a complete picture of your app idea.

• App type and goal: Start by stating what the app is and its main purpose. Is it a productivity tool to help users manage tasks? Or is it an e-commerce app for selling handmade jewelry?

• Target audience: Who are you building this for? Describing your ideal user helps tailor the design and features. An app for kids will look and feel very different from one for corporate executives.

• Key features: List the most important functions your app needs. Be specific. Instead of "user profiles," try "user profiles with a profile picture, bio and a link to their social media."

• Design and vibe: Describe the visual style. Use words that evoke a feeling. Are you going for "minimal and modern with a lot of white space" or "fun and retro with bright, neon colors"?

Prompts for e-commerce and retail apps

E-commerce app development is all about making shopping easy and enjoyable, the goal is to guide users from browsing to checkout as smoothly as possible. Your prompts should focus on clean design, intuitive navigation and features that drive sales.

Example prompt for a fashion boutique app:

• Create an e-commerce app for a high-end women's fashion boutique called 'The Wardrobe.'

• The target audience is style-conscious women aged 25-40.

• The design should be minimalist and elegant, using a black, white and gold color palette with a sophisticated serif font.

• Key features must include: A homepage with a large hero image showcasing the latest collection. Product pages with multiple high-resolution images, size and color options and detailed descriptions.A 'New Arrivals' section and curated 'Shop the Look' collections. A secure, one-page checkout process with Apple Pay and credit card options. User accounts for saving addresses and viewing order history.

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Prompts for health and wellness apps

Health and wellness apps need to feel calming, trustworthy and motivating. The user experience should be supportive and easy to follow. So your prompts should emphasize clarity, progress tracking and a gentle, encouraging tone.

Example prompt for a mediation app:

• Build a meditation and mindfulness app named 'Stillness.'

• It's for beginners looking to reduce stress and improve sleep.

• The vibe should be calm and peaceful, using a soft color palette of blues, greens and grays with a clean, sans-serif font.

• Key features must include: A library of guided meditations organized by categories like 'Sleep,' 'Anxiety,' and 'Focus.' A simple audio player with controls for play, pause and volume. A progress tracker that shows daily streaks and total minutes meditated. A 'Favorites' feature for users to save their most-loved sessions. Gentle, optional push notifications to remind users to meditate each day.

Prompts for education and learning apps

Educational app development should make learning engaging and fun. Whether for children or adults, the design should be clean, organized, and focused on the content. Prompts should detail interactive elements and progress measurement.

Example prompt for a language learning app:

• Create a language learning app called 'LinguaSnap' for travelers who want to learn basic conversational phrases.

• The design should be bright, colorful and encouraging, using flashcards and fun illustrations.

• Key features must include: Language modules for Spanish, French, and Italian, broken down into short, 5-minute lessons.Interactive flashcards with audio pronunciations spoken by a native speaker. Simple quizzes at the end of each lesson to test knowledge. A progress bar for each language to show completion.A 'Phrasebook' section where users can save important phrases for quick access.

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Prompts for productivity and utility apps

Productivity apps succeed by being fast, efficient, and simple. The goal is to help users get things done with as little friction as possible. Prompts for making productivity apps should prioritize functionality, a clean layout, and speed.

Example prompt for a task manager app:

• Design a minimalist task manager app called 'Flow.'

• It's for busy professionals who need to organize their daily to-do lists. The interface should be clean and distraction-free, with a dark mode option.

• Key features must include: A main screen where users can add and check off tasks.The ability to set due dates and reminders for each task. A feature to create different lists, like 'Work,' 'Personal,' and 'Groceries.' A simple drag-and-drop interface to reorder tasks based on priority. A 'Completed' view to see all finished tasks.

Prompts for social media and community apps

Social media apps are all about connection and content sharing. The design for this type of marketing app development needs to be intuitive and engaging to keep users scrolling. Your prompts should focus on user profiles, content feeds and interactive elements.

Example prompt for a hobby based social app:

• Build a social network app called 'CraftConnect' for people who love knitting and crocheting.

• The audience is crafters of all ages looking to share their projects and find patterns. The design should feel cozy and creative, like a digital craft circle.

• Key features must include: User profiles where users can post photos of their projects. A main feed that shows posts from people they follow.A 'Discover' page to find new creators and trending patterns. The ability to 'like' and comment on posts. A direct messaging feature for users to connect with each other.

Tips for refining your prompts for app building

Getting the best results often involves a bit of back-and-forth, remember you've having a conversation to shape your app.

• Start broad, then refine: Begin with your main idea and once you see the initial result, you can add more specific details. For example, after the first version is created, you could say, "Now, make the buttons circular and change the font to 'Montserrat.'"

• Use descriptive adjectives: Words like "modern," "playful," "professional," or "calm" help set the right tone. The more descriptive you are, the better the AI app builder can interpret your vision.

• Provide negative constraints: Sometimes, it's helpful to say what you don't want. For example, "Create a homepage, but with no pop-ups" or "Use a bright color palette, but avoid the color yellow."

• Iterate and experiment: The best part of building this way is how easy it is to try new things, so don't be afraid to ask for changes.