The programming language cocktail and the never-ending bugs have pushed away interested individuals for decades. Without the knowledge of CSS’s class and HTML’s elements, you could never create your website. The low-code/no-code movement changes that.
Instead of building a digital product from scratch, low-code/no-code platforms empower users to create websites, applications, and other digital platforms with little to no coding experience.
Low-code/no-code platforms level the playing field for creators and business owners. They assist business owners in building software applications that help their brands grow and reach out to a broader audience.
The no-code movement is gaining steam. We expect it to flourish with the rising demand for digitalization.
Whether you lack the technical skills of a software developer or you dislike coding, no-code development can help you out. With it, you can find low-code solutions for most business problems.
Keep reading to learn:
No-Code Movement — Gaining Momentum
No-Code Platforms for Your Business
Choosing a Low-Code/No-Code Platform
Final Thoughts: No-Code Movement 101 — No-Code Platforms You Can Try
Low-Code/No-Code
Low-code/no-code technologies are platforms and tools that help users build software and digital products without traditional code. Instead, they are typically visual builders that employ ready-made blocks that you can drag and drop to build your program.
Low-code development platforms (LCDPs) and no-code development platforms (NCDPs) are user-friendly for those who are unfamiliar with coding. Due to their graphical user interfaces, low-code tools are also called visual development tools.
While straightforward, low-code/no-code development platforms go toe-to-toe against traditional coding. You can develop interactive websites, mobile applications and online stores as you would through coding.
Low-code/no-code platforms and tools also keep up with mainstream software developmental processes like agile methodology.
There are multiple low-code/no-code examples of website builders and visual programs around you. You might be using:
- WordPress’s block editor for building websites
- Process Street for workflow automation
- MailChimp for email marketing
The Difference Between Low-Code and No-Code
Though the terms are used interchangeably or in conjunction, they’re not the same thing. As the names suggest, low-code requires some ability to code, while no-code requires none.
A tool can be considered a no-code app builder if there is no code required to create an application. Still, no-code can be an air castle as many “no-code platforms” need someone writing code now and then.
Most visual development tools fall into the low-code category. A developer needs to tweak the code according to the application to get its full potential.
Due to blurred differences, we often use no-code/low-code as an overarching category to cover both types of software.
No-Code Movement
Removing coding as a condition for developing websites and apps is an exciting turn of events for many people. It can revamp how software and other digital products are made. That’s why people are dubbing it the no-code movement.
For the past two decades, software development has remained concentrated among traditional coders due to syntax barriers. No-code development removes those barriers and makes digital building and creation available to everyone.
The no-code movement empowers ordinary people to become citizen developers who can create their applications without knowing the programming language.
With this movement, no-code products can overhaul digital development and alter the ecosystem of the modern IT industry — like how YouTube transformed the process of video creation.
No-Code Movement — Gaining Momentum
The no-code movement has been around in a limited capacity since the emergence of modern technology. Some examples include:
- Business Process Management (BPM)
- Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE)
- Rapid Application Development (RAD)
With higher reliance on digitalization, however, the no-code movement is accelerating. In addition, the pandemic pushed this digital transformation further, with businesses needing to adapt and move processes online.
As a result, the low-code market’s growth that followed in 2020 should surprise no one.
Gartner forecasts a similar trend for 2021, with the worldwide low-code market expected to grow by 23% to $13.8 billion.
It won’t put software engineers out of their jobs. It’s quite the opposite.
The IT industry cannot keep up with the rising demand for online stores and digital products due to limited developers. As a result, you see many professional developers working overtime regularly.
The low-code/no-code movement can be a lifesaver for such strained IT teams.
A survey by Appian found that 97% of developers felt pressure to keep up with emerging technologies, with 42% saying that it put a great deal of stress on them.
As the low-code/no-code movement helps both the general public and professional developers, it holds excellent value moving forward.
No-Code Platforms for Your Business
Had an automation workflow idea that would save you time but didn’t know how to execute it? Or maybe you dreamed of a great app but lacked coding know-how. Or perhaps you have a small business that can benefit from a web app, but you lack the resources to hire a developer.
A low-code/no-code platform can help you.
Most business problems have a no-code solution nowadays. You can use low-code/no-code tools for:
- Creating web-based products, including:
- Websites
- Portals
- Chatbots
- Newsletters
- Performing management tasks covering:
- Automation
- Data entry
- Future projections
- Artificial intelligence
- Business analysis
You can build simple management software to complex applications — including customer relationship management (CRM) software. You can also develop enterprise applications to automate menial tasks for your business users.
Low-code/no-code development options help you accomplish the results faster than traditional development, which results in lower expenses. As a result, your business becomes productive and efficient.
You also get the autonomy and freedom to implement your idea. For example, with a no-code app development platform, you can handle your mobile app development yourself instead of assigning it to a programmer.
With millennials and Gen Zers — both of whom grew up with technology — entering the professional workforce, the importance of digitalization is on the rise. Low-code/no-code solutions can help your business keep up with trends to retain that young talent.
While there is concern that these new processes will replace software engineers, most IT professionals think of it as a supplementary solution.
According to Appian’s survey, the vast majority of IT professionals believe that low-code/no-code software can automate repetitive tasks and free up time to work on larger projects, benefiting your company on the whole.
Whether e-commerce or content-driven businesses, a low-code/no-code solution can help you speed up tasks and improve your productivity.
Since it’s still early in the no-code movement, you’ll be ahead of the curve if you leverage this technology right now.
Choosing a Low-Code/No-Code Platform
You have many options for no-code tools — including website creators and app builders. Like any other tool, you require platforms that suit your specific needs and provide an ideal user experience for you and your team.
First, identify your needs. Second, find a low-code/no-code development platform that will implement your idea. Third, test it out to see if you like it. Most platforms offer trials where you can play around with builder tools. Check and see if it’s the right fit.
To start with, popular platforms for software development, app building, and workflow automation include:
For creating websites, you can use:
Due to the rapid growth of low-code/no-code platforms, you can also find familiar names:
- Microsoft’s Power Apps
- Oracle’s Visual Builder and Application Express
- Salesforce’s Lightning Platform
- Google’s AppSheet
As you’re choosing, remember there is a difference between low-code and no-code. If you have never written a line of code, make sure your platform doesn’t require any coding knowledge.
Downsides of No-Code
While forgoing coding can be great, don’t get so excited that you fire all your software engineers. Remember that the no-code movement is in its early stages and requires a degree of caution.
Many of the low-code/no-code platforms might not be the most powerful tools for whatever you’re building. As opposed to coding, no-code options could offer less:
- Functionality
- Precision
- Flexibility
- Customization
If you want more than the default settings — like your own custom elements— you’ll likely need custom code, which would require experienced developers.
Another potential problem is system integration. For example, if the no-code platform you are using goes obsolete or stops evolving with the other tech you use, you will require a custom code solution.
Also, low-code/no-code won’t solve every problem. You’ll still need specialized IT people like security experts and programmers to help you operate seamlessly.
Final Thoughts: No-Code Movement 101 — No-Code Platforms You Can Try
Finding the right low-code/no-code platform for your business can help you automate tasks and develop a web presence.
Whether it alleviates the burden on your IT team or whether it helps you take on your small business’s digital needs, your no-code software and no-code apps can be a game-changer for your business.
With no-code platforms like WordPress’s block editor, you can design a website you love without coding skills.
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