Get Stores from the Database near a user's location (Yelp-like app)

Hi there! In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to build a Yelp-style application using Xano for the backend and Thunkable for the frontend. This powerful combination allows you to create a full-fledged application without writing a single line of code. Let's get started!

Setting up the Backend with Xano

Xano is a no-code platform that simplifies backend development. It provides a visual interface for creating data models, APIs, and handling authentication and authorization. Follow these steps to set up the backend for your Yelp-style application:

1. Sign up for a Xano account: If you don't have a Xano account already, sign up for a free account at xano.io.
2. Import the Yelp-style application snippet: Once you're logged in, click on the "Snippets" tab in the left sidebar. Search for the "Yelp-style application" snippet and click "Import Snippet." This will import the necessary database tables, API endpoints, and configurations into your Xano account.
3. Explore the database tables: Xano's database is the heart of your application. The Yelp-style application snippet includes three tables: "Users," "Merchants," and "Reviews." You can view and edit the data in these tables using Xano's spreadsheet-like interface.

• Users: This table contains information about the users who can leave reviews.
• Merchants: This table stores the details of various restaurants or merchants, including their name, description, banner image, and location.
• Reviews: This table links users to the merchants they've reviewed, along with the review text and rating.

1. Understand the API endpoint: The snippet includes a single API endpoint called "merchants by distance." This endpoint allows you to fetch merchants sorted by their distance from a given location. It also includes the reviews for each merchant, making it easy to display ratings and comments.
2. Customize the data (optional): Feel free to add, edit, or remove data from the tables to suit your needs. You can even add new fields or tables if required.

Connecting to Thunkable

Now that you've set up the backend with Xano, it's time to connect it to your Thunkable frontend:

1. Copy the API endpoint URL: In Xano, navigate to the "merchants by distance" API endpoint. Click on the "Copy URL" button to copy the endpoint's URL to your clipboard.
2. Integrate with Thunkable: In your Thunkable project, create a new "Data Source" and select "REST API" as the type. Paste the API endpoint URL you copied from Xano into the "Base URL" field.
3. Map the data: Thunkable will automatically fetch the data structure from the API endpoint. You can then map the data to various components in your Thunkable project, such as lists, cards, or detail views.
4. Build your UI: Use Thunkable's drag-and-drop interface to design the user interface for your Yelp-style application. You can create screens to display merchant listings, merchant details, user reviews, and more.
5. Test and deploy: Preview your application within Thunkable to ensure everything is working as expected. Once you're satisfied, you can deploy your application to the web or publish it as a mobile app.

That's it! You've successfully built a Yelp-style application using Xano for the backend and Thunkable for the frontend, without writing a single line of code. This powerful combination enables you to create sophisticated applications quickly and efficiently.

Remember, Xano and Thunkable are highly flexible platforms, so feel free to explore their features and customize your application to meet your specific needs. Happy building!