A touch of developer magic in no-code solutions
Not so long ago, the development of any digital solution, be it an app, a video game or a website, required a certain level of proficiency in coding, the degree of which depended on the complexity of the task. The ever-present rush to make things easier has also permeated into the IT industry today, leading to the development of no-code solutions that empower those of us without coding skills to create websites and software on our own. This has made things much easier, opening the doors to digital space for a lot of people. However, this does not mean developer involvement in IT projects has become obsolete. On the contrary, there is a lot more value to be had when IT professionals are involved. In the following paragraphs, we will have a look at no-code technologies and the value developers bring to the table in IT projects.
What are no-code technologies?
The name speaks for itself. With no-code solutions, it is possible to create software without writing code at all. Instead, the user is provided with easy-to-use tools that allow him to choose from a variety of different options, often with the drag & drop functionality to arrange a specific layout. The software translates the user’s actions into code in the background, without him seeing it. Thanks to these new capabilities, everyone can attempt to create desktop or mobile apps, websites or entire video games. There is no denying that the lockdowns during the pandemic contributed to the rise of no-code solutions. For many companies, it was necessary to change their business models rapidly. This transition led to the need for accelerated development of suitable software solutions. No-code technologies proved invaluable to some companies, enabling them to quickly acquire at least a very basic level of functionality that would allow them to operate in the reality that changed almost overnight. The shortcomings of exclusively using no-code development were dwarfed by the fight to survive. Now, a few years later, no-code development is notably more refined, but parallel solutions developed by a skillful team of IT professionals are still far superior.
When do no-code solutions come in handy?
One of the biggest advantages of using no-code solutions is the rapid development process. When you need simple applications or a basic website without a lot of functionalities and integrations then this can be a good option. No-code can help automate processes without the need for coding knowledge, or to create prototypes and basic but handy apps for internal-only uses. For micro companies and startups that do not have a lot of resources, these tools grant the capability to create basic solutions at little to no cost.
What are the risks associated with no-code solutions for your product?
Despite the ease of use and cost reduction, there are risks involved with using no-code solutions.
Few functionalities and customization options, difficult modification and expansion
The convenience of no-code comes at a cost. Solutions created this way may be very hard or even impossible to scale. This can be a difficult problem to tackle for companies that expect to expand in the near future. No-code software is also usually more limited in terms of functionalities and customization options. You may be forced to use specific “stock” elements that do not really fit the message you may want to send to your target audiences. Specific functionalities you need might be missing, and even if you don’t require them so much initially, the need might appear in the near future. The limitations can slow down your growth and if you’d like anything more custom, you will still need to hire a developer to do it for you.
You lose some of your independence
With no-code solutions, the site has to be maintained on the technology provider’s server, which means you have to rely on another party. You need to pay a monthly fee for the service to work and you lose some of your independence.
Is it worth creating no-code solutions on your own, or is it better through an agency?
Your approach should depend on a number of factors. If you lack the funds to hire a professional team, but have a lot of time, then a no-code solution can be very cost-effective for you, and this advantage alone may outweigh the cons such as limited functionalities or problems with future expansion. After all, instead of upgrading, you can always create a completely new, far superior solution at the right time with enough funds and the help of a development agency. No-code is also a good choice when the product is to be simple. If you need to create a website acting solely as a “digital ID card” for your company and services without any complex integrations then popular, block-based website creators will probably be enough for you. However, anything more complex will be better with the help of a developer or an entire team. Intricate, multi-level systems with numerous integrations, functionalities and plugins work best when a dedicated team takes the reins. With a reliable crew at the helm, not only will you get a highly customized product with tailor-made functionalities you need, but you should also be able to count on post-production support and maintenance.
Who typically benefits from using no-code solutions?
No-code brings the most advantages to micro- and small businesses, startups that are just about to embark on their business journey, as well as non-technical individuals who are looking for an easy way to create simple software or a website without coding skills. However, it’s not that big businesses do not benefit from no-code solutions. On the contrary, there are many large companies that have used this type of software to great success. No-code has opened the doors to IT development for everyone, even if the scope is limited.
How to organize work with no-code tools?
You need to have a good idea of what you want from the project. What issue will the product solve? What functionalities should it have to address the subject? What’s the scope? How unique is it supposed to be when compared to other products? Decide on the no-code tool you want to use for your project. Break down the project into smaller tasks to form a plan that is easy to follow, and consider the limitations imposed by the solution you chose. Make sure these constraints do not interfere with your business goals. Think about the time you will need for the specific tasks. Plan the user interface with a focus on the best possible user experience. Start the development, spend some time testing and consider launching a beta version first. You can use the feedback to introduce changes before the final release.
Is it beneficial to involve IT developers’ knowledge when utilizing no-code tools?
Think of it this way. An experienced developer has been through many different projects and can offer invaluable hands-on experience by analyzing how feasible your concept is. He can show you far more optimal ways to perform the tasks you require, especially if the platform has limitations. With developer help, it will be easier to integrate advanced functionalities that may not be available through a pure no-code solution. Developers will be able to predict some difficulties the no-code platform may experience, and suggest workarounds contributing to overall higher quality, better user experience and optimal performance.
Conclusion
No-code development platforms have made software and website development accessible to everyone. However, the ease of use and universality of these solutions come at the cost of few customization options, limited functionalities, often bare-bones products and potential security hazards.
If you are looking for a talented team to support your no-code solution or to build the product from the ground up e.g. custom web app development – we’re webflow experts, do not hesitate to contact us.
