No-Code development is a popular trend in which more and more companies are investing now. The first No-Code services appeared in the 90s, but currently, they are experiencing a surge in interest, partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many startups are launching their no-code platforms, while many firms are using no-code tools to augment their businesses. So why is No-Code technology popular, what is it about, and how can it serve your enterprise? Let’s find out.
What is no-code?
No-code is a technology that allows non-technical users to create websites and applications without writing code. Before it appeared, developing a simple web application was a non-trivial task that only programmers could solve. Now, anyone who feels like creating an app can do so using intuitive no-code instruments. Even though no-code tools cannot solve all the tasks associated with the software development process, they provide fast solutions for easy projects. Also, they are a perfect means for an initial product launch.
But what exactly are no-code tools, and how do they work? To understand this, imagine Lego. It is used to assemble a specific figure from ready-made blocks. You don’t know who and how made these blocks but simply connect them in the proper order to get the desired result. It’s the same with no-code programming. You use ready-made blocks to build an application or website. Although you cannot modify the blocks, you can rearrange them in the needed order using convenient drag-and-drop elements.
Note that no-code programming is actually based on traditional programming. It means that programmers manually write code to make blocks, which non-technical people then use to create their apps.
No-code platforms provide drag-and-drop elements
Why use no-code development? Pros and cons to consider
At first glance, it may seem that no-code development is a kind of fun for non-technical people. The graphical interface and colored blocks of no-code platforms may look like a child’s game and make one doubt the possibility of building real projects. Well, maybe it was so when no-code just started. But now, it has evolved into a full-fledged development branch with extensive opportunities for startups and enterprises.
No-code is now used in various areas. It allows companies to reduce development costs and shorten time-to-market. When users assemble an application from ready-made blocks, they may get the final product within days or even hours. Things are different with traditional programming, which takes weeks or months to deliver the first result.
No-code is perfect for building a minimal viable product (MVP). It helps validate ideas with minimal costs and make timely changes if needed.
Also, in no-code projects, you don’t have to think about establishing communication. Unlike traditional projects, no-code development doesn’t need a big team. In fact, two people may assemble an app from ready-made blocks. The first would develop the documentation, and the second would build a product following the guidelines.
On the other hand, no-code development is less flexible compared to code-writing. It gives fewer opportunities for creativity and enables predefined features only. In addition, the use of no-code platforms is not cheap. For example, Mendix has a standard license starting at €800 per month. Plus, you have to pay 10 euros for each user and app you create.
Anyhow, no-code development has its strong and weak points. The table below summarizes both.
Pros and cons of no-code
Who needs no-code tools?
No-code is a fast and relatively inexpensive way to develop a product without having fundamental programming knowledge. No-code tools can be useful to different people. Here’s who can benefit from them:
- Startuppers. They test their ideas without investing a mint of money in development.
- Entrepreneurs. They transfer the existing offline business to the online space.
- Enterprises. They create simple solutions for corporate purposes.
- Designers. They create a working product using their own design templates.
- Developers. They speed up the development process by implementing some features using no-code blocks.
- Students. They get to know programming through block coding on no-code platforms.
Who needs no-code
Best no-code tools
No-code tools can be used to develop software frontend and backend. They also help launch apps on the web and mobile platforms, making project implementation faster, easier, and cheaper. There are many no-code instruments on the market now, but we’ll list the best ones based on our expertise.
Bubble. This is a no-code platform for building web apps with the help of visual programming. Bubble works on the principle of the platform as a service (PaaS). This means that you can use the development tools on-demand by logging into your account from a browser. There is no need to download and install an application on your device.
Flutter flow. At Softensy, we use Flutter flow for rapid mobile development. Flutter allows quick creation of iOS and Android clients easily adaptable for any screen size. In addition, it can be used to develop various interfaces, from landing pages to mobile pay.
Node-RED. We use this service to write the backend for web and mobile solutions. Unlike the previous two services, Node-RED is not a fully no-code platform. It required a portion of coding while still providing no-code tools for fast product implementation.
How we use no-code tools at Softensy
At Softensy, we choose no-code in two cases:
– when we need to launch MVP under tight deadlines
– when we need to enrich an existing product with specific functionality
Here are three real cases that we have recently implemented with the help of no-code tools:
Personnel inventory service on Bubble. Data structuring allows companies to manage business processes in a more effective way. Our service organizes information about staff members, saving a separate “card” about each employee. Each card shows the person’s position, department, date of birth, how long they work in a company, when they go on vacation, etc.
App for remote employees on Flutter flow. Many companies are now working remotely. But to stay productive, they need to be sure their employees work with maximum efficiency. Our application allows organizations to record working hours and track the progress of remote employees. Staff members can mark the beginning and end of the working day, turn on the task tracker, request a vacation, sick leave, extra working hours, and more.
Fast API for Diia integration on Node-RED. Diia is a web and mobile portal which digitizes public services in Ukraine. It contains various documents such as ID card, driver’s license, taxpayer card, vaccination certificate, etc. Third-party services are increasingly integrating with Diia to improve their functionality. For example, a travel app can automatically tell you which country you can enter based on vaccination date and vaccine type. In addition, an accounting service can remind you to pay taxes based on business documents.
Interested in using no-code on your project?
Even though no-code does not need deep technical knowledge, it requires IT expertise for effective project implementation. Experienced developers can suggest which tools suite best for your project and explain how the app can be further scaled using traditional programming.
At Softensy, we have long adopted no-code development. No-code tools help us quickly achieve the desired result with minimal cost, making businesses more flexible and responsive to current market needs. Our clients come to us with projects from complex enterprise solutions to simple B2C apps. We work in fintech, e-commerce, real estate, agrotech, and logistics, each time applying an individual approach for the most efficient project implementation.
If you want to launch your product with minimal costs, contact us. We’ll suggest tools that best suit your software and allow further project augmentation with a code-writing approach.
Wanda
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