Andrew Speight • 27 October 2020 |
It’s the same for no-code development, unsurprisingly. There are developers out there who believe that by using no-code tools, you’re not authentic. Heck, some even say it’s unsafe while others think it’s not scalable!
We can safely say, none of those are true. And for that reason, we’re here to bust the myths surrounding no-code development.
No-code platforms use pre-made components and a drag-and-drop interface. So it’s easy to see why some would expect a finished product to be a mere compilation of elements you cannot customise. But this is wrong on so many levels!
Whether building from scratch or modifying a pre-built app, no-code platforms offer an array of tools to create a bespoke application — from simple tracking and reporting capabilities to automated workflows complete with notification triggers.
If your project requires more, however, you do have the option to add 3rd party integrations. If you settle on a no-code platform with an app store, such as Wix, Duda or Shopify, you can add things like local SEO or online booking software to expand your offering.
Note: 3rd party integrations require coding so you will need a developer. This will add several (if not) more days to your project’s timeline.
Which leads us nicely onto…
The very reason no-code platforms are here is to provide flexible software creation for non-technical makers. Because of it, gone are the days where you need to spend thousands on software development to achieve your goals.
Take building an e-commerce store on a no-code platform, for example. You choose a template, add your products and start selling — simple! What’s more, the option to add 3rd party integrations twists the flexibility dial further. Did somebody say no-code tools aren’t flexible…
Some believe no-code platforms are incapable of building “real” software. At first glance, they can appear basic, simple and minimalistic. Get under the skin, though, and they’re everything but.
No digital tool is flawless. (Trust us, we’ve tested thousands.) They each have limitations that prevent them from being perfect, and those in the no-code category are no different. But despite this, no-code apps (can) have an extensive range of features and functionality that will serve startups and global organisations alike.
In fact, according to a Forrester Study, most businesses nowadays use no-code platforms to build complex applications. What’s more, these apps appeal to entire teams and multiple departments.
Traditional software development forces engineers and developers to work in silos. Head down, headphones on — writing line after line of code. Yes, they’ll get together for daily updates, and yes, it’s proven effective, but it’s not the most collaborative.
No-code development, on the other hand, is exciting for everyone involved. From the ideas people to those who fancy their hand at designing — no-code invites wider teams and heck, in some instances, entire businesses to jump on board. All in all, no-code platforms make it possible for everyone to contribute to an innovative and agile project.
Whereas developers code variables to build applications, no-code platforms rely on pre-built elements. This enables anyone with a PC to design, build and test fully-fledged apps without writing code.
This doesn’t mean no-code platforms are anti-code, though. Some more complex tasks, such as adding 3rd party integrations, still require a developer to input code. While this might defeat the point of a no-code platform, it gives you the best of both worlds, and means you can hire a developer towards the end of the build to add the finishing touches. What’s more, a developer will also identify bugs, test, and help scale your application.
The assumption of no-code not being secure comes from its simplicity and ease of use. But just because some applications don’t have everything plus the kitchen sink thrown in, it doesn’t mean they aren’t secure.
Take Bubble.io, for example, which keeps its collaborators and users safe with free SSL certificates, multi-factor authentication and secure infrastructure.
Another myth is that applications built on no-code platforms won’t look as professional (or beautiful) as those build from scratch using UI and UX designers. This stems from no-code platforms being made up of predominantly pre-built components, despite developers being able to add HTML and CSS.
Even without adding custom code, no-code apps can be built with customised UI/UX designs and a dynamic interface — just like those built with code.
No-code application technology is here to stay. And thanks to better software, it’s becoming easier to streamline the development process and build apps that solve business requirements, and meet needs and wants.
To the untrained eye, no-code platforms might look static and incapable of building complex apps. However, their automation and use of pre-built elements provide a more efficient, empowering and cost-effective solution to doing everything from scratch.