Everything you should know about no-code development

“App development? Ah, no! I am not a tech guy.”

But what if you don’t have to be into tech at all? Say hello to the no-code development platform.

Going by the name, we have heard many non-technical individuals say that it is too good to be true. We agree that it feels far-fetched, but it really isn’t. When you go into the details and understand how it works, you will be surprised that it wasn’t conceptualized earlier! No-code development is actually the future of development and we are in the future already.

In this article, we will walk you through all its important aspects so that you have a firm grasp on the codeless technology.

What is no-code development?

No-code development is the process of using simple mechanics such as drag-and-drop and choosing from the given options to build an app. The platform is essentially a visual environment wherein individuals with absolutely no knowledge about coding can create a fully-functional and easy-to-use app.

Ever since the world entered the digital age, developers have been at the forefront. Their demand has increased with time across the globe. Today, with the digital transformation taking over every industry, the need is higher than ever before. This demand is exploiting the pain points of organizations because as much as they would like to transform digitally, they cannot afford and/or find stellar tech professionals who can take over all the IT requirements.

Founders have consistently been looking for a way to overcome the burden by allowing their staff members to build apps (citizen developers) without prior tech knowledge or the need for training. This is why no-code development is a boon, and the market is growing rapidly. Forrester estimates that it will hit $21.2 billion by 2022. That number isn’t just huge; it is impressively gigantic.

Also read: The rise of the Citizen Developer and why should every business care?

What can you build with no-code?

We only spoke about what is no-code application development so far. But is that it? Of course, not. We wouldn’t create so much fuss over something that doesn’t give us what we want and a little “extra!”

No-code platforms are near magical. They offer endless possibilities to build any kind of applications based on business needs. All you need is an idea and with the right no-code platform, you can implement it in minutes and hours. Some of these applications include:

• Business Applications
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Project and Task Management
  • Help Desk Management
  • Travel and Expense Management
  • Human Resource Management System (HRMS)
  • Employee Self Service
  • Asset Management
  • Procurement
• Website and Portals
• Mobile Applications

Features of the best no-code development platforms

According to Gartner, no-code/low-code platforms are among the top 10 trends impacting infrastructure and operations in 2020. It also asserts that no-code is the future of mobility. This is because the platforms address the unbeatable need for application development. But how? How do the best no-code development platforms help? Why are they so attractive? Let’s find out by going through their top features.

1. User Interface builder

You can build an entire web page with just one function: drag and drop. Everything from the header to the footer, the form, tables, and images can be assembled within minutes. As a result, you will have a web page just how you imagined it. If you want further flexibility, you can also combine it with a framework such as Angular2.

2. Workflow modelling

Workflow modeling is not just fast; it is also delightful. It lets you manage all your data seamlessly without ever indulging in the language of code.

3. Reusability

What if we told you that you could use multiple small parts of a particular application to build a new one? This benefits everyone looking for no-code development because others can use your application’s parts to build their own app. Again, all this requires absolutely no tech knowledge.

4. Integrations

From Twitter to Slack and everything in between, you can integrate with your no-code app and completely automate processes. This capability is particularly attractive because it removes the need for human intervention and eliminates complicated Excel sheets in the process.

5. Mobile capabilities

The top no-code app development platforms will offer mobile capabilities. This means you can determine how your app looks and functions on mobile devices and customize it accordingly. After all, it is estimated that there are around 3 billion smartphone users in the world today.

6. Reports and analytics

Here’s the cherry on the top! Along with all the amazing features that no-code offers, you get to create customized reports and receive them as and how you want them. This means that the entire process of analytics can be taken care of.

Benefits of no-code development

We can feel your excitement, and we are happy to announce that there’s more! Once you find out about the biggest benefits of adopting no-code app development for teams, you will be on top of the world with delight! Don’t believe us? Keep reading and find out for yourself.

1. Anyone can build

The biggest and most significant benefit has already been highlighted in this article. It is the fact that just about anyone can develop apps now. You don’t need technical experience or knowledge about code. Anyone (or as we like calling them, citizen developers) can build functional applications under an hour!

2. Reduced costs

Professional developers don’t come for cheap. They are very expensive. No-code replaces them in a jiffy and saves all the overhead costs. Moreover, because it is fast, it saves man hours and that translates to saved revenue in the long run.

3. Reduced time

As aforementioned, the process of building apps through no-code platforms is fast. A good app will take only an hour. Imagine that!

4. Excellent agility

Agility is always a plus, whether it is in the context of humans or development platforms. No-code development checks this box by automating everything from building to testing. The teams will, thus, have more time to actually get the work done instead of wasting it preparing for work. Also, making changes will be quick!

5. Enhanced innovation

No-code development will ease the burden on IT and give citizen developers the power to create their own apps. This will encourage them to get their creative juices flowing, and continuous innovation will slowly become a part of the company culture.

6. Business alignment

When the core workforce takes up the task of app development, inefficiencies reduce because they have worked across departments and know what’s expected. This helps align business goals and increase productivity.

7. Rogue IT risk alleviation

Rogue IT is the use of unsanctioned information technology resources within an organization. The use of no-code platforms when implemented using a thought-through strategy, governance, and assistance from the central IT team bring structure and accountability to the rogue IT activities, turning them into a regulated force for good.

Also read: Top 10 Business Process Automation Benefits

Comparing no-code development with alternatives

1. No-code development vs. custom development

While custom development has its own bells and whistles, there is no denying that no-code development is faster and affordable. A custom software program or app takes months, and according to a study by KPMG, more than 80% of them fail to deliver within the given timeline. There is no such fuss with no-code development. Odds favor no-code apps even when it comes to costs and maintenance.

However, the superior flexibility of custom development may be suitable for companies that have thousands of users.

2. No-code development vs. off-the-shelf products

Customization is the biggest enemy of off-the-shelf products. While technology has definitely advanced and there are many products that suit the demands of an industry, the details may become a pain-point. Needless options may exist, and you may not have the flexibility to add the ones you need. This can clog your entire business process in the long run.

No-code development eliminates this headache altogether by giving businesses the freedom to customize and build an app that exactly suits their needs.

3. No-code development vs. low-code development

Now, this is the biggest question. Most companies actually get confused and think they are the same. That’s far from true. Low-code requires minimal coding, while no-code doesn’t require coding at all. So, besides the requirement of at least basic coding knowledge for low-code development, there are nuances that set these two processes apart. A few are:

Conclusion

No-code development is not the future. It is the present. And it is here to stay. Its features and benefits are unbeatable.

What’s more, building multiple no-code apps to build your next startup or grow your existing business is a piece of cake! Quixy is leading the no-code movement by providing a platform that’s reliable, extremely easy to use, and quick.

What are you waiting for? Join the no-code bandwagon now!