Everything you should know about No-Code Development

Quixy Editorial Team

September 19, 2023

“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 the future of development, and we are already in the future.

In this article, we will walk you through all its important aspects so you can grasp codeless technology.

What is no-code?

No-code is an approach to software development that enables individuals without any extensive coding knowledge to build applications, solutions, and workflows with drag-and-drop visual tools. These no-code tools provide a range of pre-built templates and modules that can be configured to meet specific requirements.

No-code frameworks are increasingly becoming popular because even a non-technical person can implement and build workflows and solutions. 

What is no-code development?

No-code development uses 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 without coding knowledge 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. With digital transformation taking over every industry, the need is higher than ever. 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. According to Research and Markets, it will hit $187 billion by 2030. That number isn’t just huge; it is impressively gigantic.

Who are no-code developers?

No-code developers are popularly known as citizen developers. They are essentially business users or subject matter experts who bring ideas to life with no-code technologies. Since these developers are business users and have zero coding knowledge, there is a need to build a citizen development governance program in place.

An end-to-end citizen development program must be established to prevent these users from committing to data security risks or building half-baked apps.

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

What are no-code technologies?

No-code technologies are software development platforms that enable users to create apps without writing any lines of code. The platforms use a graphical interface that allows users to drag and drop pre-built components to develop applications.

What are the top benefits of no-code development?

The advantages of a no-code platform are not limited to just a department or section of the business. The value of building applications with a no-code framework can be leveraged by all departments as well as industries. Time-saving, reduced cost, and curbing shadow TI, to name a few, are some of the biggest advantages of using a no-code app development platform. Once you discover 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 the no-code benefits.

1. Anyone can build

The biggest and most significant benefit has already been highlighted in this article. It is a 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 in under an hour!

Also Read: The Secrets of App Development: Building Excellence

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, which translates to saved revenue in the long run.

3. Reduced app and prototyping time

As aforementioned, the process of building apps through no-code platforms is fast. On top of that, prototyping becomes easy at the development stage; optical modeling creates visualized information about the application and its necessary steps. 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 get the work done instead of wasting it preparing for work. Also, making changes will be quick!

Also read: Top 10 Business Process Automation Benefits

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

8. Development through iterations 

No-code app development allows users to develop apps and customize their updates. It allows citizen developers to make changes at any point in the development cycle. Continuous development and easy updates enable users to improve their ideas and make ideal apps.  

Also Read: Harnessing the Power of AI in the Citizen Developer Movement: A Spotlight on ChatGPT

Who is using no-code software?

No-code software is used by a diverse range of users, including small business owners, entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, non-technical teams, startups, educators, consultants, enterprise IT teams, citizen developers, government agencies, healthcare professionals, and e-commerce businesses. It empowers them to create applications and automate processes without traditional coding skills, making it accessible and valuable across various industries and sectors.

Here’s a more concise breakdown of how different user groups benefit from using no-code software:

1. Small Business Owners: They use no-code platforms for websites, customer management, and automating tasks.
2. Entrepreneurs: No-code tools help them test ideas, build MVPs, and reduce development costs.
3. Marketing Professionals: They design web pages, run marketing campaigns, and automate tasks without coding.
4. Non-Technical Teams: HR, finance, and others streamline processes like onboarding and expenses.
5. Startups: No-code accelerates product development and validation.
6. Educators: Simplify teaching programming and app development.
7. Consultants and Freelancers: Expand services with customized solutions.
8. Enterprise IT Teams: Empower non-technical staff to develop solutions.
9. Citizen Developers: Solve business challenges within organizations.
10. Government Agencies: Digitize paperwork, automate tasks, and improve services.
11. Healthcare Professionals: Create tailored applications for healthcare needs.
12. E-commerce Businesses: Enhance online presence and automate operations.

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 nearly magical. They offer endless possibilities to build any application based on business needs. All you need is an idea; with the right no-code solutions, 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
• Workflow automation tools
• Mobile Applications

How to select and implement a no-code development platform?

Before choosing a no-code platform, determine and analyze what you need. This will help businesses to jot down the available options. The next important step is to check the features of the no-code platform. You must consider factors like ease of use, workflow builder, drag-and-drop, integrations, etc.

Check and compare the pricing of the different no-code platforms. Take into account how much your business is willing to spend. Different no-code platforms offer different types of pricing; businesses need to check which platforms suit best to their needs. Other factors while choosing and adopting a no-code platform are the level of customization available, integrations, after-sales support, etc.

Also Read: How to effectively choose and adopt a No-Code Platform: 10 points to consider!

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. Myriads of no-code tools are available in the market, making it difficult to choose the right one. 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 modeling

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.

7. Cross-Platform Mobility

The top no-code development platform will allow you to build applications that are compatible with different devices and browsers. You can create applications with minimal effort and time with simple and scalable no-code platform features.

Comparing no-code development with alternatives

What is the difference between no-code development and custom development?

While custom development has its own bells and whistles, there is no denying that no-code development is faster and more 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 with thousands of users.

Also read: No-Code Vs. Traditional Development (Coding)

What is the difference between no-code development and COTS?

Customization is the biggest enemy of off-the-shelf products. While technology has definitely advanced, and many products suit the demands of industry, the details may become a pain point. Needless options may exist, and you may be unable to add the ones you need. This can clog your entire business process in the long run.

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

Also read: No-Code Vs. COTS (Readymade Software): Understanding the Pros and Cons!

What is the difference between no-code development and low-code development?

Now, this is the biggest question. Most companies get confused and think they are the same. That’s far from true. The idea of differentiating no-code from low-code is the need for coding knowledge to build any app. In the no-code development, business users do not need to write code lines to build applications. While creating apps through low-code platforms, business users need, to some extent, coding know-how. So, besides the requirement of at least basic coding knowledge for low-code development, some nuances set these two processes apart. The table below explains the difference between no-code and low-code:

Also read: No-Code Vs. Low-Code: Breaking down the Pros and Cons!

Should your organization adopt no-code?

Deciding on no-code adoption hinges on key factors:

1. Needs: Identify tasks suitable for no-code solutions.
2. Skills: Assess your team’s technical proficiency; no-code empowers non-technical members.
3. Cost: Gauge potential savings, particularly for budget-conscious organizations.
4. Speed: No-code expedites prototyping and project launches.
5. Scalability: Ensure solutions can grow with your organization.
6. Integration: Verify compatibility with existing systems.
7. Security: Confirm alignment with security and compliance standards.
8. Support: Access to training and support is essential.
9. Strategy: Align no-code with your long-term tech vision.
10. Vendor Lock-In: Beware of potential lock-in and ensure data portability.
11. User Acceptance: Foster team openness to no-code solutions.
12. Proof of Concept: Consider a small-scale trial for effectiveness assessment.

Ultimately, the decision should align with your organization’s unique goals and resources.

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 reliable, easy-to-use, quick platform.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about no-code development.