NoCode = No More Excuses
When only .5% of the people on the planet know how to code, it can be tempting to throw up your hands and claim you can’t get the technical resources you need to build the next big thing.
I’ve seen it in entrepreneurs and enterprise teams alike. “If only we could get some development resources,” they say, “we’d be able to build the next unicorn startup or game-changing project.”
The reality is that the shortage of top technical talent is not going to change anytime soon. What is changing, however, is the access to new tools that are democratizing access to technology and innovation. NoCode is that game-changer.
What is NoCode?
While there is no standard definition of “NoCode,” I’m defining NoCode as off-the-shelf software, tools, and platforms that enable the non-technical or less-technical person to build, experiment, or pull together resources, data, and workflows to solve problems.
NoCode is not new. A software package itself is a form of “NoCode” in that it enables a regular person to access tools and do stuff using code without having to write the underlying code themselves. If you’ve used Excel to create a chart or PowerPoint to tell a story, you’ve used “NoCode-like” capabilities.
What is new is the groundswell of new tools that are bringing drag-and-drop, copy-and-paste, and once difficult capabilities to the masses. Let’s take a look at some of the new NoCode tools changing the landscape of development.
When I started my career in technology in the mid-nineties, it was not out of the ordinary for companies to spend millions of dollars to launch a website. Not only did you have to develop the software, but you had to own the hardware, servers, database licenses, and everything else in between. Now, you can launch an infinitely scalable site in your pajamas from the comfort of your couch and spend less than a nice dinner (and in about the same amount of time as it takes to eat one).
Today, platforms like Squarespace, Carrd, Webflow, and Wix allow someone to spin up simple landing pages to complete functioning websites cheaply and efficiently. There are even platforms that focus on landing page creation alone, like Unbounce, LeadPages, and even Mailchimp. I’d add WordPress to this list of website platforms, but I see too many people requiring additional tech talent to tweak, maintain, and customize to my liking.
Having these tools alone gives people the power to launch and communicate in the marketplace, get feedback, and immediately tweak, refine, and iterate again far faster than ever before. These tools enable you to experiment more often to learn more quickly and deliver value sooner.
Beyond website building, there are NoCode tools that offer database or spreadsheets-on-steroids capabilities, such as Airtable, SmartSheet, and Google Sheets. Check out Airtable’s Universe community that has already built out complete database templates that are off-the-shelf and ready to use.
There are “connector” tools that provide access to APIs and middle-man software that allow different programs and tools to talk to each other. Tools like Zapier allow platforms to trigger and talk to each other simplifying and optimizing workflows. Other connector tools include IFTTT, Clay, Integromat, Retool, Standard Library, Tray.io. Some of these tools require a big more tech knowledge, but are infinitely simpler and accessible than what was available even two to three years ago.
There are NoCode payment platforms like Stripe, Paymentspring, and PayPal to facilitate transactions and e-commerce, along with complete e-commerce storefront and supply chain platforms. Sourcing and selling goods online today is dramatically easier and more efficient with today’s NoCode platforms like Shopify or Alibaba.
Membership platforms exist that enable someone to create a complete membership-based community like MemberStack or Memberspace.
Need to manage your calendar and sales communication? Check out MixMax, Calendly, or Woven.
There are analytics and customer service chatbot services like GoSquared or Intercom and a bevy of platforms to manage and maintain email newsletters and communication like MailerLite, Convertkit, Mailchimp, or SendGrid.
Tools like Canva, Vimeo, Buffer, and Descript give the average person an ability to create, edit, and manage content.
Want to develop a stand-alone, mobile application, or all-in-one tools for productivity? Check out tools like Boundless, Bubble, Adalo, Sharetribe, or Coda. Drag-and-drop widgets or components make it easier to build, test, and modify real-world applications at a fraction of the time and cost of days past.
All of these tools can be used to solve specific problems, optimize execution, or be tied together to create complete solutions. NoCode is ushering in a new class of builders, founders, and creators. NoCode is bringing the ability to build, prototype, test, and experiment to new levels.
There are even new online communities creating tutorials and marketplaces focused on this NoCode movement. Check out places like Makerpad and NuCode.
Now’s the time to dust off your ideas, open up some creativity, and tackle that new project that might just change the world. Join the NoCode movement and stop with the excuses. The Age of Impact is upon us. No excuses.
More Resources
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About Brian
Brian Ardinger is Director of Innovation at Nelnet and the founder of Inside Outside, makers of the weekly Inside Outside Innovation podcast, events, and community. For over 25 years, Brian has been helping entrepreneurs and enterprises navigate and compete in a world of change and disruption. He was the founder of NMotion (a seed-stage startup accelerator), CMO at Nanonation, head of research at Ion Global (a Hong Kong-headquartered technology firm), and senior consultant for Gartner in Asia. @ardinger
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