A software demo is integral to legitimizing your product idea.

Right now, your idea is intangible: free floating and open to interpretation.

You might have tried explaining your idea to someone, but they just don't get it. You explain in circles and you still might not be on the same page. How can you hire, fundraise, and build a successful product when people can't grasp your novel idea?

The demo is the silver bullet in your entrepreneurial toolbox to communicate your vision, not by showing but by telling.

The best kept secret with software demos is that you should feel no pressure to do one live, especially at the early stages. You are looking for money to build out your technical team and investors would much rather gain a comprehensive understanding of your vision than see that you are able to write a lot of React code in a 2 person team.

Extra points if you are able to show that your web application works well live and that you have users, but troubleshooting why your server is down during a pitch is not the best use of your time.

So, record it! The best way to include a recorded demo during your pitch is to walk the room through it. Don't include audio, but keep the audience engaged as you walk them through a recording.

If you are looking for funding to build out your technical team, rest easy knowing that some of the best demos don't require a lot of code, if any code at all.

How can I create my low-code demo?

Remember, low-code demos are just demos. Be clear that your demo isn't a fully functional product that you could hand off after a pitch to play around with.

Prior to developing any web application, teams build mock-ups: layers of images and text that can be linked together to feign functionality. Mock-ups help ensure the team is on the same page regarding the required functionality, layout, and look of the finished application.

While not all functionality can be replicated in your mock-up, it allows for a general flow outline of your application. Feel free to only model the emphasized aspects of your product. Nobody cares about your log in flow.

Different types of mock-ups can be created for different purposes. Some mockups emphasize technology and others emphasize emotion. Understand where your demo needs to lie on this spectrum.

There are several programs that make this relatively simple: Adobe XD, InVision, Sketch, and Figma. I recommend Figma. Here's why:

• It allows for live collaboration between users.
• You don't need to download any software (although you can if you would like).
• It is free for 2 editors and up to 3 projects (as of February 2021).
• There is a huge community surrounding Figma. This comes in handy if you aren't a well seasoned UX designer and would rather use buttons and layouts designed by people who know what they are doing.
• It is cloud-based, so no files that you need to keep track of and manage.