Will no-code work wonders for your startup?

Startups and no-code software go hand-in-hand. A lot like pre-built components and drag-and-drop editors. Which, if you didn’t know, are what make up most no-code tools. The reasons why they go hand-in-hand are that they enable entrepreneurs to get their MVP to market fast and without the hassle of hiring a developer. 

This is something the startup world has struggled with for a long while. The high demand for software and low supply of developers has made it harder to find one, and more expensive when you do. Find yourself a developer these days, and you’ll be committing to a large amount of time and cash — two things most entrepreneurs are without at the beginning of a startup launch. 

But while no-code is versatile, easy to use and enables you to become an MVP app developer, it doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every startup. So without further ado, let’s look at whether no-code will work wonders for you. 

No-code will work wonders for your startup if… 

… you don’t know how to code and your tech skills are limited  

No-code tools are a godsend for any entrepreneur with limited tech skills wanting to launch a startup. Thanks to pre-built components and a drag-and-drop editor, you’ll be able to design, build and launch in weeks without writing a single line of code. 

As well as being easy to master, no-code tools make it easy to customise and modify your product further down the line. If you hire a developer, changing a feature or functionality takes time. Heck, making even a single change may need hours of application downtime. When you’re launching, hours can feel like days. 

Another great thing about no-code platforms is that they’re overflowing with helpful advice content. Whether it’s blogs, video tutorials or forums, you’ll never be short of content to learn from. 

Even if you’ve never used a drag-and-drop builder before, most no-code tools come with a stack of online resources to help you get to grips with them. What’s more, no-code communities are a great place to be if you want to learn a thing or two about business in general.

… you can’t stretch your budget to hire a developer 

Before no-code tools, launching a startup was no mean feat. If you didn’t know how to write code, you’d have no other alternative but to pay a developer. Not only was this not feasible for most startups because of their low budget, but it was also too long to wait to get their product live. 

So, with reason, no-code platforms are a great option if you’re looking to launch a startup on a budget. And by no means should you expect a budget-looking product either. In fact, no-code tools are becoming so popular (and ultra-modern) that even the likes of Google are getting involved with AppSheet. 

… you want to get your product to market fast!

In the world of startups, if you want to thrive and stay relevant, you need to be agile. Startups need quick turnaround times when building new products. Thankfully, no-code platforms enable you to be fast-moving. 

As we mentioned in our introduction, launching a startup with no-code can be as quick as a week — presuming you know how to use the tool you’re building with. Some no-code platforms, such as Wix, even make it easy to build a fully-fledged eCommerce store. 

There’s rapid iteration, too. With no-code platforms, you bypass the hassle of having to run everything past a developer for them to sign off. Once you’ve thought up the change you want to make, it’s super simple to make it. This is especially important if you want to test a new feature, or when you’re still validating an idea! 

And that’s the great thing about no-code, the ball is very much in your corner — you make the decisions. If you’re someone who likes taking the bull by the horns, no-code will be a great choice. 

… you want to increase productivity among your team 

Many people think no-code is anti-collaboration when compared to the traditional approach for software development. Whereas, in fact, it’s completely the opposite. 

No-code is exciting for entire teams, and in some instances, entire businesses! Unlike traditional software development where developers and engineers sit alone writing line after line of code, no-code invites others to get involved. 

Because you have first-hand access to your tools, there’s plenty of scope for collaboration. Say, for example, a business partner is familiar with drag-and-drop builders but not as handy as you are at integrating third party widgets, you can split the workload accordingly. 

Collaborating can also help bring out innovative ideas, which you’ll want plenty of when you’re launching.

Here are more reasons why no-code may be a great option for your startup… 

• Shorter learning curve - Learning no-code takes days or weeks, whereas learning code takes months or years. 
• Business validation support - No-code can give you a limited-functionality app before you’ve even built your MVP. You can use this to validate your idea internally and among investors. 
• Freedom to focus on growing your startup - No-code gives you the freedom to focus on growing your startup rather than worry about the progress your developer is making. 

Hold up! Because no-code tools aren’t so great for you if… 

… you like switching between platforms 

A major limitation of no-code is platform dependency. You’re tied to whatever platform you choose. And if they sink, you sink too. 

Chances are when your startup grows, you may fancy a change and might consider moving away from no-code altogether. However, no-code tools do not allow you to transfer your product to another platform. This is what’s known as a Vendor Lock-In. 

Which leads us nicely onto… 

… you’re worried about data security

The security worries surrounding no-code platforms stem from most of them being fast-moving startups themselves. With no-code tools, you are sacrificing the control you have over a custom-developed app. 

Moreover, should the no-code tool you choose decide to change the way their solution works, or to be acquired or shut down, you may have to change the fundamental structure of how your product works. 

… you’re product requires a feature-rich platform 

No-code is great for organising data, creating content and connecting APIs. They are less ideal if you need to: 

• 
  Oversee a large amount of data
• Create robust native apps
• Work with complex calculations
• Prioritise speed and scalability 
• Customise out-of-the-box functionality

On the mobile app front, no-code tools have a long way to go before you can build a robust, non-cookie cutter MVP. 

Final thoughts 

There you have it! We hope by now you’re able to identify whether entering the world of no-code will be beneficial to your startup. 

No-code is breaking down the barrier for startups to enter the world of tech, and the pros of the software will continue to have a huge impact on how successful startups can be. 

Even if your business model requires more advanced tools than those on offer from no-code tools, you shouldn’t overlook them for building your MVP or prototype. Thanks to the simplicity and ease-of-use of no-code tools, you can build a strong business foundation early-on regardless of your budget and tech skills. 

Don’t forget to let us know in the comments how no-code works wonders for your startup.