How to Create a Web Portal (Quick & Easy Guide)

Ryan Forrester

Jul 1st, 2024

Blog

Learn How to Create a Web Portal In 5 Steps

Here’s a comprehensive guide on developing a custom web portal for clients, employees, students, or any other users.

Table of Contents

Learn How to Create a Web Portal In 5 Steps
Full Tutorial For Building a Web Portal
Final Touches To Your Web Portal
Conclusion: How to Create a Web Portal

Step 1: Gather Information For Your Web Portal

Start by identifying the key information and documents your clients regularly need. Consider the following:

What are the top 5 pieces of information clients frequently request?
What documents do clients need access to repeatedly?
What manual client interactions could be automated through a self-service portal?

Try to pinpoint the most time-consuming client requests and interactions. This helps prioritize the essential features and content for your portal.

Step 2: Select an Intuitive User Interface

For B2B business portals, an admin panel layout is often ideal. It provides a clean, professional design that allows clients to easily navigate and access information. While a more dynamic interface could be better for students or community members. With Five you can auto-generate both.

Step 3: Develop Core Portal Functionality

With your requirements in place, begin building the portal. Modern rapid application development platforms like Five can help quickly translate your requirements into functional software. Key features to consider include:

Secure user authentication and access controls
Document management and file sharing
Billing and payment information
Project/order status tracking
Support resources and FAQs
Data visualizations and reporting

Start with the highest priority features and iterate as needed.

Step 4: Customize the Portal Design

Ensure your web portal reflects your company’s branding to create a cohesive experience:

Use brand colors and logos throughout the portal
Set up a custom domain for the portal URL
Create branded signup and login pages
Customize email templates for portal notifications

A well-designed, branded portal underscores your professionalism and attention to detail.

Step 5: Test and Refine The Web Portal

Before launching, conduct thorough testing:

Perform internal testing with employees across departments
Gather feedback and identify any usability issues or missing features
Refine the portal based on testing results

Full Tutorial For Building a Web Portal

Do you need help getting started with building your web portal? Five’s rapid application development platform makes it easy to create custom portals without extensive coding. Sign up for a free trial and follow the tutorial below to start building your web portal today.

Build and Deploy a Web Portal
Rapidly build dedicated portals for any use case

Key Elements of a Creating a Web Portal

Most custom web portals consist of the following elements:

Database for Storing Data
- A database is essential for storing all your data securely and efficiently.
Forms for Data Entry
- Create user-friendly forms to facilitate easy data entry and management.
Calculations for Processing Data
- Implement calculations to process and manipulate data as needed for your portal’s functions.
PDF Reports, Charts, and Dashboards for Visualizing Data
- Use visual tools like PDF reports, charts, and dashboards to present data in an accessible and understandable format.
User Logins and Authentication for Controlling Access to Data
- Ensure secure access to your portal with user login systems and authentication protocols.
Notifications (Email or In-App) for Notifying Users of Data Changes
- Set up notifications to keep users informed about important data changes or updates.

Creating a New Web Portal

Click on Applications and create a new application named “Web Portal.”

Deploy your application using the Deploy to Development button.

Click Run to preview your application.

Five has a team of experts ready to assist you. So, if you ever feel like you’re in over your head, don’t worry, our expert developers are here to help. And yes, we promise not to charge you an arm and a leg or leave you with a system that only we understand. To get a free consultation, visit this page: “Hire An Expert.”

Setting Up Database Tables

Navigate to the Table Wizard

Go to Data > Table Wizard.
Create tables for core entities like Products, Orders, and ProductOrders (for many-to-many relationships).

The Products Table

In the Name field, enter “Product”.
Add fields by clicking the Plus ➕ icon.

Example Product Table Structure:

Name	Data Type	Req.	Size	Default Display Type
Name	Text	✔️	100	_Text
SKU	Text		100	_Text
Price	Float			_Currency
Rating	Float			_RatingFloat

Once your table matches the structure shown, click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.
Confirm in the Table Upgrade dialog by clicking Save.

The Orders Table

Repeat the above steps for your “Orders” table.

Name	Data Type	Req.	Size	Default Display Type
OrderStatus	Text	✔️	100	_Text
OrderDate	Date		100	_Date

2. Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.

The ProductOrders Table

The ProductOrders table is a junction table for establishing a many-to-many relationship between Products and Orders.

Open the Table Wizard.
In the Name field, enter “ProductOrders”.
Click the Right Arrow > icon.

In the Relationships area, click the Plus ➕ icon.
Add relationships to the Product and Orders tables, marking both as Required.
Once the relationships are defined, click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.

Importing Data For Your Web Portal

Import initial data using CSV files into your database tables (e.g., Products).

From the dropdown menu, choose the Product table.
Click on the Choose File button and select the CSV file available for download from the top of this guide.
Select “Generated” for ProductKey. The platform will automatically map the remaining fields from your database to the corresponding columns in the CSV file.
Click the ✔️ icon to confirm the data import. A confirmation pop-up will indicate, “CSV import completed successfully.”

Use Form Wizard to Create Forms

Use Visual > Form Wizard to create forms for data entry and management (e.g., Products and Orders).

Create the Product Form:

In the Main Data Source field, select Product.
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.

Create the Orders Form:

Repeat the same steps, selecting Orders in the Main Data Source field.

Create the ProductOrders Form:

In the Main Data Source field, select ProductOrders.
Toggle the Add Menu Item to off.
Click the Right Arrow > icon.

Tick the List box for both fields: ProductKey and OrdersKey.
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.

Adding a Page to a Form

Click on Visual > Forms.
Select the Orders form from the list on the left.
Click on Pages on the right.
Click the Plus ➕ icon.

Change the Page Type to List.
Enter “Products” in the Caption field and select ProductOrders (Form) as Action.
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.

Preview Your Web Portal

Click on the Run ▶️ icon in the top right corner to preview your application.

Generating Charts For Your Web Portal

Utilize Visual > Chart Wizard to create visual representations (e.g., sales trends).
Fill in all required fields, choosing your X Value Column and Y Value Column.
Save by clicking the Tick ✔️ icon in the top right corner.

Creating PDF Reports

Click on Visual > Reports.
Click on the yellow Plus icon.
Enter “Product Report” in the Title field.
Click on Data Sources.

Click the Plus ➕ icon to add a data source.
Select Product (Table) as the Data Source.
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.

Return to General.
Click on the Template field to open Five’s report template editor.
Click on the </> icon.

Delete all code in the editor and replace it with the HTML provided.

<style>
    .demo tr {
      background-color: lightgrey
    }
        
</style>

<div><img src="data:image/png;base64,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" style=""></div>
<div><br></div>
<h1>Report</h1>
<table style="letter-spacing: 0.00938em; width: 100%; font-size: 1rem;" class="demo">
    <tbody>
        <tr style="border-bottom: 2px solid black;" class="fiveReportHeaderRepeat-Level1">
            <td style="width: 28.1305%; background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left;">Name</td>

            <td style="width: 50.97%; background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left;">SKU</td>

            <td style="width: 18.254%; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Price</td>
        </tr>

        <tr class="fiveReportHelper" contenteditable="false">
            <td class="fiveReportHelper">{{#each @root.[Product].[Records] as | Product |}}</td>
            <td><br></td>
            <td><br></td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="" contenteditable="false">

            <td style="text-align: left;">{{Product.[Name]}}</td>

            <td style="text-align: left;">{{Product.[SKU]}}</td>

            <td style="text-align: left;">{{Product.[Price]}}</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="fiveReportHelper" contenteditable="false">
            <td class="fiveReportHelper">{{/each}}</td>
            <td><br></td>
            <td><br></td>
        </tr>

    </tbody>
</table>
<div><br></div>

<div style="text-align: center;  display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;">
    <div style="width: 150mm; height: 125mm; border: 1px dashed black; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;">   {{{_Chart 'ProductChart'}}}</div>
</div>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>

<table class="fiveReportFooter-everyPage" style="width: 100%; height: 10mm;">
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Page <five.pageNumber.current.arabic> of <five.pageNumber.total.arabic></em></span></td>

        </tr>
    </tbody>


</table>

By following these steps, you’ll have a fully functional database with an intuitive interface and robust reporting capabilities, all set to enhance your user experience.

Final Touches To Your Web Portal

Creating Menus

Navigate to Menus:

Go to Visual > Menus.
Click on the yellow Plus icon.

Create a Parent Menu:

Type “Charts & Reports” into the Caption field.
Enter “3” into Menu Order.
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save your menu.

Add Menu Items:

Click the yellow Plus icon again to create new menu items for your chart and report.

Chart Menu Settings:

Caption: Chart
Action: (select the appropriate action for your chart)
Parent Menu: Charts & Reports
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save your menu.

Report Menu Settings:

Caption: Report
Action: (select the appropriate action for your report)
Parent Menu: Charts & Reports
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save your menu.

Testing Your Application

Run Your App:

Ensure that your forms, charts, and reports are functioning correctly.
Verify that clicking on Chart in the menu on the left displays your chart.
Test your report to confirm that you can view a PDF document in your business portal.

Learn How to Create a Web Portal in 5 Steps

Adding User Management and Logins

Enable Multiuser Functionality:

Click on Applications (My First App) in the top navigation bar.
Toggle the Multiuser switch to “On” to add a login screen and user management to your application.
Click the Tick ✔️ icon to save.

By following these steps, you can finalize and deploy your web portal, ensuring it includes user-friendly navigation, comprehensive data visualization, and secure user management.

Run your web portal again. You will be greeted by a login screen.

Use user name admin and password admin to log in to your application!

Conclusion: How to Create a Web Portal

Follow this full tutorial to continuing building you first web app: Code-Along: Build & Deploy a Full-Stack Web App

Finding Help in Five

In case you get stuck during the development process, we’re here to help! Continue developing your application by accessing these resources:

Five’s User Community: Visit https://five.org to ask questions or get inspiration from other users.
Five’s Documentation: Visit help.five.org to access Five’s comprehensive documentation.

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