Rise of No-Code Tools: What Entrepreneurs and Developers Need to Know
Remember when entrepreneurs needed developers to create nearly everything for their businesses? How about the days when developers relied on strings of code to build even simple web pages?
That’s all changed now, thanks to the rise of no-code tools.
What used to take developers months and years to create has now pared down to weeks, sometimes days. For simple requests, developers can use no-code tools to spit out project outputs in just a few hours.
Entrepreneurs no longer need to rely on developers for easy tasks — they can instead invest in their services for more intricate work and custom projects. Plus, they’ll save time and money.
If you’re curious about the advantages and limitations of this type of software, stick around for an insightful read on what’s happening in the world of no-code.
The promise of no-code tools
As a new or aspiring business owner, you’ve got a lot on your plate.
From building your website to setting up your internal document storage systems to automating your email marketing campaigns, there’s a lot to do.
If you have plenty of cash flow, by all means, hand over the reins to a developer and focus on more important tasks like growing your business.
But if you’re tight on funds or prefer to save money wherever you can, you’re going to love the options no-code tools can give you.
As a developer, learning no-code platforms opens you up to more opportunities and can help you learn new skills. By getting familiar with no-code tools and pairing that with your technical knowledge, you can learn to exceed client expectations.
You’ll be able to do everything from turning projects around faster to building basic structures with no-code and then using your coding skills to customize the skeleton. Ultimately, no-code tools will help you become infinitely more valuable to organizations and streamline your own workflow.
With that said, let’s review some additional benefits entrepreneurs and developers can look forward to when using no-code tools.
Create and resize visuals with ease
With no-code tools, entrepreneurs can enhance the visual appeal of their products and improve the user experience. As the trend toward hybrid work models continues, these tools are especially useful since they allow remote team members to participate in visual design processes effortlessly and effectively from anywhere in the world.
In the marketing space, the rise of upscale API has been revolutionary. These tools can convert low-resolution images to high-quality ones with ease — making it simple for anyone to create professional-looking visuals at scale for their website, app, and social media profiles.
Both Picsart and Canva offer this feature.
With enhanced image features, entrepreneurs and developers can use tools like Picsart and Canva to improve image quality and auto-resize visuals to the perfect ratios for a variety of marketing channels in just one click.
Build websites and platforms with drag-and-drop features
From Wix to Squarespace to WordPress, there are many tools you can use to build your own website or platform using drag-and-drop features.
This trend has been particularly significant in the online medical industry, where entrepreneurs and developers are leveraging no-code tools to build innovative platforms that connect patients with healthcare providers.
Here’s an example of a simple, engaging website online physicians can develop using no-code tools:
Of course, a developer could easily come in to spruce it up and add more custom design, but consider whether this is necessary given the industry.
At the end of the day, it’s best to think about your unique target market before adding more customization to your site. For instance, if you’re in the creative arts space, putting extra flair on your site with custom code would be on brand. But if you’re in the virtual assistant industry, going the extra mile may not be necessary or worth it.
Streamline data management processes
One of the biggest problems for technology companies is that managing business processes often requires elevated technical skills to make it all work.
Thanks to no-code tools, you can achieve the same results without high competence. Take, for example, the Reverse ETL process provided by Hightouch. With this process, businesses can extract data from their central data warehouse and feed it directly into their operational systems and SaaS tools. That way, they can reduce the need to hire a team of developers and data experts.
Not only can this help streamline the data management process, but it can also help teams leverage and interpret data better so they can ultra-personalize the customer experience.
In the past, tackling a data monster like this took brilliant minds and tons of code to set up. Now, businesses can access rich insights in real-time whenever they want.
Build custom mobile apps
Mobile app design is another exciting area where no-code tools have made a significant impact.
With these tools, entrepreneurs and small business owners can design and launch mobile apps without specialized coding knowledge. This opens up a world of opportunities for those looking to test new ideas or launch a startup on a budget.
Building custom mobile apps also has advantages for freelancers, creatives, and service-based entrepreneurs.
For instance, with Passion.io, anyone can create their own branded app to sell memberships, digital products, and personalized services — think health coaches, personal trainers, and online voice actors, for example.
For entrepreneurs that are interested in building businesses in order to sell them, no-code app builders offer a way to quickly prototype and test ideas without the need for a dedicated development team. With these tools, business owners can create custom applications to sell products or services, streamline operations, and eventually, sell their businesses.
Potential limitations and criticisms of no-code tools
Regardless of how powerful no-code tools are, even the most cutting-edge technologies have limitations.
Let’s quickly review some of the downsides to no-code tools.
Some security measures still require code
As more entrepreneurs and developers turn to no-code tools to streamline their workflows and create web apps without code, it’s essential to remember the potential security risks associated with these tools.
For example, many no-code tools and SaaS apps rely on providers like SAML or OAuth to manage user access. While these both provide secure authentication methods, it’s essential to understand the differences between SAML vs OAuth to make an informed decision about which one to use.
Regardless of the option you go with, you’ll need a developer to help you set everything up.
Depending on what you’re making, working with a developer can ensure your no-code creations and logins are as secure as possible. Some developers may take this opportunity to upsell other security services that entrepreneurs may need but can’t set up on their own.
Ultra-custom designs still require code
Want your website or app to feel like an immersive experience? Dreaming of creating an online space with custom illustrations, interactivity, and a dynamic nature? Do pre-built templates make you cringe?
If so, you’ll have to opt for custom code.
Each industry caters to different customer needs, and therefore each website will require different features. This holds true in real estate web design, for example, where some essential features are prone to require some custom coding.
Websites or apps in the real estate industry often require specific features such as property location search filters, interactive maps, virtual tours, and seamless integration with MLS databases to provide an optimal browsing experience for potential buyers and renters.
And as convenient as no-code is, it’s limited by specific parameters.
To get an ultra-custom site or app, you’ll need to reach out to software developers or software engineers that are fluent in a variety of coding languages, including HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
No-code is simpler but still has a learning curve
Some no-code tools feel super intuitive, but don’t expect to literally build a new website in just a few minutes.
While you’ll have drag-and-drop capabilities, there’s a lot that goes into building a website, from design to copy to SEO and beyond. Whether you’re a business owner or a developer, expect to put in some elbow grease to learn how these tools work.
Wrapping up
There’s a lot more where this came from, but this quick guide is a great start for anyone curious about what no-code tools mean for businesses and developers.
As a quick recap, here are the pros and cons we covered today:
Pros
- Create and resize visuals with ease
- Build websites and platforms with drag-and-drop features
- Streamline data management processes
- Build custom mobile apps
Cons
- Some security measures require code
- Ultra-custom designs still require code
- No-code is simpler but still has a learning curve
Now, it’s your turn.
Are you a business owner that needs flexible tools to build things with ease? Maybe you’re a developer curious about pairing no-code software with your advanced skills? Make a move by testing out some of the tools we covered today and check out our awesome deals on build-it-yourself software.
