DEV Community

Cover image for Everything You Need To Know About No Code Movement
TechMagic
TechMagic

Posted on

Everything You Need To Know About No Code Movement

For many years, hiring a skilled software developer was the best (and sometimes the only) method to create software applications. Historically, the developer-level skill was the only practical way to make your ideas a reality, whether you were creating a new website or app.

As technology developed over time, we democratised software creation, giving consumers with little to no technical background a chance to produce technological solutions. No-code platforms enable citizen developers to create apps and websites.

There is something you need to know:

By 2025, 70% of apps will employ low-code no-code technology, compared to fewer than 25% in 2020, according to Gartner.
By 2022, the no-code movement, which was only worth $3.8 billion in 2017, will be worth $21.2 billion, based on a Forrester report.
Surprising? Not really. No code benefits are apparent. It enables anyone with great ideas lacks coding knowledge to start creating immediately. Businesses may streamline operations, automate tasks, and free up developers. Entrepreneurs who take issues into their own hands might move more quickly and save money.

Continue reading to learn about five no-code tools you should consider for your company and how we will expose you to the world of coding without having to write any code.

What is no code movement?

The no-code trend is growing due to how quickly, cheaply, and conveniently low-barrier it is to promote your concept. For instance:

  • non-technical people can independently launch their custom apps,
  • startups can quickly build an MVP,
  • designers can quickly build a prototype, along with artificial intelligence, VR/AR, blockchain and date-side.

Low code no code has completely changed the world of IT services. Businesses benefit greatly from development teams' freedom. They can lessen their software development costs, accelerate time to market, and more quickly adapt to the shifting trends in their sector.

The low-code/no-code platforms greatly facilitate collaboration between I.T. and business teams, as well as between I.T. and other departments within a business, because all participants know what is happening.

Of course, the fact that most organisations cannot be satisfied by depending just on the out-of-the-box functionality of the LCNC (Low code no code) platforms is another strong reason why software development services will be required in any case.

Companies frequently need to add unique features to their software to accomplish their objectives more effectively or to stand out from the competition. This is especially true for areas like reporting and third-party integration. As a result, business apps often need coding in at least some areas. The assistance of development teams is essential for this goal.

In many instances, developers' help is needed to ensure that "low code" does not translate into "poor quality" because no code development requires users to have a solid knowledge of their operating principles. Given the preceding, companies and I.T. will continue to work together.

But here’s the kicker: More than 80% of no-code users want to increase their usage in the next years.
Now it’s your time to dig into no-code deeper.

Background of no code movement

The no-code movement strongly emphasises web development, which enables citizen developers (if you are not aware of who they are - below we will discover more in detail) or persons with minimal technical abilities to create online objects like websites and applications.

No-code platforms allow people to create ideas and launch enterprises using graphical user interfaces rather than coding languages. Instead of grabbing the nearest programming language textbook and looking for the difference between Node.js vs Python, the drag-and-drop feature empowers and provides access for non-coders to start producing.

Who are citizen developers?

Employees who can create applications, websites, or functionality using no-code platforms are considered citizen developers. They do not need deep technical skills in software development but only a little training on the platform itself.

A citizen developer is a persona with the necessary abilities, not a specific employment title. Citizens developers work in departments other than IT in their workplaces. Since they are business users, the no-code changes help them implement their company ideas.

But is this a new idea? Not completely.

Let's see some dates:

The World Wide Web was created in 1989 by Tim-Berners Lee with accessibility and global use in mind. To develop on the web back then, people had to be familiar with HTML.
David Bohnett and John Rezner founded the online hosting company Geocities in 1994. It enabled users to construct web pages with little to no coding experience necessary.
Millions of websites currently use WordPress, which Matt Mullenweg introduced in 2003. Other well-known builders, such as Squarespace and Wix, debuted years later.
The no-code trend has grown to encompass a variety of non-developer, no-code tools and apps. In 2023, the no-code movement will continue to spread around the world.

What is no code?

No-code solutions emerged as a reaction to the complexity and variety of modern tools for online product development. Many processes now seek simplification and automation, and web development is no exception.

No-code tools allow users to create websites, apps, and cloud services without code. Before the first solutions in this field appeared, the development of companies took a lot of time and resources and required at least one professional developer in the team.

Such constructors work by drag-and-drop method; the user drags the necessary elements in the interface without thinking about what programming language the code is written in and how it works.

low-code/no-code movement

No-code use accelerates application development and satisfies the need for automation of work processes, quickly adapting business processes to market changes, increasing customer and employee satisfaction and creating specialised software faster than the usual writing of code with the help of traditional approaches to coding.

Here’s the deal:

The trend bridges the gap between the shortage of software developers and the steadily increasing demand for applications. There is coding involved, but it is built-in rather than visible. The code is automatically generated in the background as you add and modify blocks in a simple user interface builder.

Are the benefits of no code platform worth a whole movement?

Intelligent use of company resources
For both IT application development and citizen development projects, 75% of large businesses will use at least four low-code no-code development tools by 2024, according to a recent Gartner research.

Most enterprises' budget is spent on maintaining outdated systems because there is no need to more resources for innovations and developing new applications or processes. Business users gain new skills and tools while automating and adapting work processes to their specific needs.

High level of security - prevents cyber attacks
No-code platforms provide users with essential application security features, such as administration tools, access control, and threat assessment. This allows authorised users to configure and control system security at any time. Even more, no-code platforms use industry-leading practices to ensure stored data's security and privacy, supporting application, network, and physical access.

Speed - less time on development to faster go to market
According to a Nocodecensus survey, no-code development tools enable them to create software 4.6 times faster than traditional programming.

With the speed of business transformation increasing, developers are looking for ways to increase productivity and accelerate application development. While learning to develop no-code applications and tools requires time, hiring citizen developers (who are already in no-code) helps gain benefits of it faster. Above 83% of no-code platform users’ choose no-code to reduce time on certain tasks.

What’s the bottom line?

There is a small learning curve. New enterprises may join the market faster than they could with no-code solutions.

Accelerated operations - work processes automatisation
Almost 90% of no-code users believe that using no-code has helped their business grow quicker.

In today's hybrid working environment, a no-code platform is ideal for interacting with office employees and those who work remotely. This allows employees to work in a single rhythm, creating, running, and processing without wasting time on other technical inside operations for applications. To help reduce the monotonous routine that distracts employees from essential tasks of creating new products and strategies.

Moreover, no-code platforms have modules for data management or client-oriented applications, such as service management applications or sales processes.

Availability - opens new horizons

No-code is the future. Companies that are implementing new technologies today are always one step ahead. It is an indispensable tool for constant improvement, expansion of market presence and searches for new ways of interaction with employees and clients.

No-code platforms that don't require coding are lowering the entry barrier to what was once only accessible to programmers with a technical background and education. These platforms are accessible and usable by tech novices, enabling a larger population to participate in the digital transformation.

Less cost - reduce maintenance for new ideas
In 4.6x times no code technology is more affordable than traditional development, according to Nocodecensus.

Complex software development calls for technical knowledge. For instance, the typical cost for a firm to hire web developers to construct and launch an app is from $12,000 to $150,000. On top of that, depending on the plan and services required, app upkeep might cost up to $60,000 annually (of course, that's very, but just to give you some context).

With no-code platforms, businesses and startups may cut down on startup expenses and legacy upkeep. Also, it helps to compensate for the need for more experts, which many companies face, without attracting additional resources. Even on a subscription plan, no-code solutions are less expensive than hiring skilled software engineers whose average annual salary is over $119,000 in the USA.

Prototyping - validate your idea

No code platforms transform the foundations of coding into a straightforward drag-and-drop solution, enabling developers to construct cutting-edge apps and websites graphically.

Early on, a few well-designed graphics may be all that is required to effectively convey the fundamental concept to possible funders, early users, and future team members. More fidelity will be needed as the idea develops, but tools may offer tremendously rich experiences that may be more than adequate to excite curiosity and confirm hypotheses.

Reusable components

One of the main aspects of no-code development is the use of pre-configured modules and functions for applications. These modules have basic everyday operations required for different applications that can be used multiple times to develop other solutions quickly.

The no-code platform allows users to reuse ready-to-use or newly developed modules, plugins, and application objectives to create the required applications promptly.

6 no code tools you must watch out for in 2023

The no-code platform allows companies to create full-fledged centres of best practices. Companies can accelerate technological innovations, simplify application development and process automation and deploy new solutions to optimise the company's operational and customer-oriented processes. Organisations will grow and increase their resilience and flexibility with streamlined work processes.

With no-code technologies, businesses upgrade their legacy systems, create new and improved processes and corporate-level applications, easily change solutions to meet specific countries' market or business needs, etc.

Instead of writing a ton of code, one may use the arsenal, which includes libraries of templates, visual cues, drag-and-drop functions, adjustable design components, and much more.

1. Web app builder

A visual builder lets you make responsive mobile or web app development using specific building elements. All these blocks may be customized and altered however complex or essential you choose. You can use databases, integrations, and APIs to link data.

2. Newsletters constructor

Using the SaaS website builder, you can create newsletters, landing pages, and even whole websites with expert design. Knowing how to drag and drop is all required.

3. Content marketing tools

Engagement is crucial to creating strong customer connections, but how can you maintain daily discussions? You don't have to; that's the trick. Let the interactive blocks do their thing.

Every firm must have a marketing strategy, and several no-code solutions are available for activities like email and social media marketing. Users may spread their identities and ideas more quickly using no-code platforms without worrying about design details.

With no code content marketing tools like:

quizzes,
calculators,
evaluations,
chatbots,
and polls,
enables you to make your sites more interactive. You can ask different questions about customers, gather insights, tailor suggestions, and customise use cases.

You may develop price estimators ("Check how much you can save") and online quizzes ("Test your knowledge and earn a gift") with their no-code builder. This way of lead generation is much more enjoyable.

4. Workflow automation

Tie together many business software. You may use this tool to automate workflows and integrate tens of thousands of apps (a word of advice: only do some at a time).

A trigger in one application initiates your workflow and sets everything in action. If you're a business owner, it can handle tasks like automatically adding leads to Google Sheets, distributing content on numerous social media platforms, and receiving email alerts for new Airtable base records. Owners of businesses could quickly implement curbside pick-up, create online ordering platforms, and create automated alerts.

Automation enables users to link their apps, automate operations, and handle their job more effectively in a quick-paced, digital workplace. No-code automation technologies make it simple for both individuals and companies to automate time-consuming processes and increase productivity.

5. Internal dashboards

Instead of using complicated Excel spreadsheets, you can show your company's financial data on an easy-to-use dashboard. Your group of collaborators and partners will appreciate it.

The genius of no code is that it makes creating the dashboard painless. You can quickly put together your unique design using a set of building blocks and premade parts. Tables, maps, charts, and more are available. You only need to connect your database via API to see your numbers in the dashboard.

6. Payment tools

No-code payment systems offer easy solutions to collect payments without writing code and streamline payment operations. Payment operations are essential, especially for company concepts, including e-commerce.

Wrapping up
No-code tools and applications come in a wide variety, and market analysts anticipate further expansion. No-code tools and software developers will coexist in the world of software development.

It is advantageous for developers, who may use them to free up time for trickier technical problems, including

Speed
Accessibility
Lower costs
Autonomy
With the advent of no-code platforms and technologies, you can easily contribute your ideas. No-code empowers by giving control over an app, assisting someone in starting a business or just freeing up to focus more on technically challenging issues.

“I think within the next 5 years we’ll see our first unicorn company built purely with no-code tools. I think we’ll also see much more funding in companies built without code.

Beyond that, I hope to see building without code becoming much more mainstream – it won't be "no-code development"; it'll just be "development". I'm hopeful it will also become something that’s taught at school, college and university and is a natural part of school curriculums.”

Ben Tossell, Founder & CEO Markerpad

Without a doubt, it will be exciting to watch new no-code development tools emerge and gain popularity. We anticipate that tiny firms, e-commerce, freelancers, and curious amateurs will all experiment with this codeless existence in addition to major corporations. Everyone might build applications with less funds and fixed time thanks to the no-code digital revolution!

Act now to join the no code movement!

FAQ

What is the no-code movement?

No-code movement is an increasing usage of no-code platforms that changes the mobile app development industry by enabling non-coders and newbie developers to build applications.

Do you offer services of no-code development?

Yes. We offer low code/no code development services. Our developers can use LCNC tools the most efficient way, understanding how any feature should work and considering future updates and app scaling.

Can I use no code platform by myself, without extensive development experience?

Basically, this is the main idea of no-code platforms: accessibility for non-developers. But, as we said above, having some experience allows you to create something more reliable and scalable.

Top comments (0)