Over the last few years, the concepts of No-Code and Low-Code have become one of the most trending in the technology market, along with artificial intelligence, VR/AR, blockchain and data science. In this article we will answer the top 5 FAQs about No-Code.
1. What is No-code development ?
2. The difference between low-code and no-code.
3. The pros and cons of no-code development.
4. Where to start? How to learn?
5. Where can I find no-code experts?
So what exactly is a no-code development?
No-Code and Low-Code platforms emerged as a reaction to the complexity and diversity of modern software development tools. Now almost all processes are striving for simplification and automation, including web development and business analytics.
Classical programming involves writing code from scratch. To do this, you need to know programming languages, think over the architecture, create each element separately and build connections between them. The concept of no-code implies the rejection of professional developers and expanding the number of people who could create their own product without programming skills.
No-code can be compared to making pizza with ready-made toppings. All the ingredients will be brought to you, only instead of sausage and tomato — template blocks with a ready-made code.
Another example: imagine James looking to open an online sneaker store. He chooses a no-code platform and assembles a site from ready-made blocks. First, he finds a suitable template, adds buttons, inserts a background image, and selects fonts. Then he links a Google spreadsheet with product information to the site, adds a personal account and shopping cart, and connects the payment system. User data will go to one database, and messages from the support chat will automatically come to the messenger. Thanks to the no code, James completed the task in just a week. He didn’t write a single line of code and got a working online store.
Using no-code, you can create landing pages, online stores, marketplaces, email newsletters or web and mobile applications.
The difference between low-code and no-code.
These concepts can be divided into two main directions — No-Code, which includes website builders like Tilda, Glide and — Low-Code. If No-Code is about web development and creating your own services from ready-made templates, then using Low-Code you can quickly modify, improve and expand work with business processes and analytics.
Low-code is a type of programming when the main part of the product is developed using ready-made blocks, and for individual parts it is necessary to write code.
If you have ideas for an application or software, then with the help of low-code you can independently create flexible programs for performing specific tasks with much less effort, faster, even without special technical experience. Low-code is more flexible in developing new functions and additions than no-code, since it is not limited to libraries of ready-made elements. If the platform does not have the desired feature, you can configure it yourself.
It takes longer to create a product with low-code than with no-code. But it is still faster than classical programming, and therefore cheaper.
The pros and cons of no-code development.
Pros
Speed and flexibility. Drag-and-drop functionality, pre-installed user interface, logic diagrams and data models, pre-modeled business processes and a set of other automated tools allow you to quickly develop full-fledged, cross-platform applications.
Reduced development costs. The ability to create more applications in a short time, as well as reducing the need for additional developers.
Reduced dependence on IT. Teams of programmers can focus on solving the first problems, and not spend resources on creating simple applications and minor edits.
Productivity increase. With low-code development, there is no need to wait for professional developers to finish the next stage of the project, and time is no longer a limiting factor for innovation.
Fast deployment and easy maintenance. Changes made can be canceled in one click, and you can customize the program in accordance with the new requirements at any time.
No-code is useful not only for programmers, but also for marketers, product managers and entrepreneurs. Let’s take a closer look at examples of situations in which you can use a no-code.
Creation of MVP. 42% of startups are unprofitable because there is no demand for them. In order not to find yourself in the same situation, you can quickly create an MVP without the help of developers and test the viability of the idea. Programmers are quite expensive and rarely a small business can afford them. Therefore, a good solution is to launch an MVP product using no-code solutions, without losing the budget, which will help to determine whether it makes sense to continue working on a startup.
Hypothesis test. When developing and promoting a product, many ideas appear on how to improve metrics — add a feature, create a new website, target a new audience. In order not to drain resources to no avail, you need to test hypotheses. Let’s say you want to test two site variations. It will take a lot of time and money to develop from scratch. You can use the constructor, and after the test you can submit a more efficient version for development.
Making a pet project. No-code will help you create a project for personal use or a case for a portfolio.
Becoming a no-code developer. No-code developer is a separate profession. In two or three months, you will be able to master a new demanded skill even without programming experience and start earning money.
Cons
Platform dependency Not all no-code platforms allow you to download source code or binary files. The platform also works as an engine, without which the application will not be able to work.
Although there is a positive trend: no-code platforms are gradually abandoning attempts to “bind” users. After all, the no-code market is growing, there are more tools, and the ability to provide an independent application is a serious competitive advantage.
A number of limitations in functionality. The No-Code technology is still quite formulaic and rarely allows you to create unique solutions that have never been created before.
Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Absolutely, yes. The positive aspects such as the speed of development, adaptability of functionality, compatibility with different platforms, and the lack of need for large teams compensate for the limitations and disadvantages of no-code.
Where to start? How to learn?
- You can choose no-code platforms like Sizze.io
- Knowledge bases of specific platforms or online courses like Notion (a series of guides and tutorials).
- Or online courses such as Coursera, Udemy, Sizze training.
Where can I find no-code experts?
Let’s say you need a no-code product, but you don’t have time to make it yourself. Where can you find a specialist?
No-code marketplaces. You can find many no-code and low-code development specialists on platforms like Codemap, Makerpad, Nucode, etc.
No-code agencies. There are numerous agencies that can get any no-code project built in a month and less such as Sizze.service.
In conclusion, no-code development can cover some of the needs in the product and save time and resources. It’s worth thinking about no-code code platforms even if you have enough money. They can help you make decisions faster, test ideas, and be one step ahead of your opponents.
