Ask HN: Force.com versus Zoho Creator or other cloud app platforms?

I need to throw together a simple but elegant and visually well-designed database-driven web app to run the daily operations of a small local business. Workflow tasks include checking in and out customers, making sure the right information is gathered from customers, automating emails to customers, creating daily checklists for staff, that sort of thing.

Does anyone have experience using Force.com, Zoho Creator, or similar cloud platforms for similar applications. I'd love to hear the pros and cons based on your experience. Thanks!