Today's technology allows those without development skills to create comprehensive web sites and applications. But is no-code a solution for everyone, as some are trying to convince us? We address this dilemma in our article, comparing no-code and full-code approaches. Find out which one is made for you!
What is a no-code development approach?
By using no-code solutions, you can develop websites and applications without knowing programming languages. Does that mean there's no code involved, as the name suggests? Not at all - the code is still the basis for your work, but in this approach, it kind of stays underneath, allowing you to work on predefined elements.
In accordance with the WYSIWYG principle (what you see is what you get, in French), you implement changes on the surface. However, that doesn't mean you're only impacting the visual side of the solution. You have total flexibility in designing the structure and architecture of the application, its database, workflows, SEO, etc.
What is the “full code” development approach?
When we think of application development, we usually imagine a process that starts with an idea that is then translated into code by a team of coders with the appropriate technology (JS, Ruby, PHP...). Depending on the methodology, this process can take different forms and turns, but in general, each path leads to the moment when application requirements are translated into code.
Depending on what we develop, we may need to engage different technologies. Some applications only require a “front-end” (browser side), while others require taking into account what is happening behind the scenes as well (server side). However, coding is still at the core of implementing.
Advantages and disadvantages of the code approach.
Traditional code works great for projects that are trying to solve complex problems simultaneously. It should also correspond in the case of solutions that may require numerous integrations and continuous scaling. If you are developing a solution for the banking or insurance market, the full code approach may better suit your needs. A large part of no-code platforms still lack of compliance with legal requirements demanding from these niches.
However, full code can also be expensive and time consuming, quickly exhausting your budget. Plus, if you don't have a team with the right tech stack at your disposal, you need to find the right developers, and that takes time (and money). It will take some time before they fully integrate and start producing the results you expect.
No-code vs. Code
Does it have to be that way? Not at all - lots of solutions allow you to skip the coding part without compromising quality. Don't be skeptical - we're not talking about ready-to-use website builder software that requires you to operate on templates, which can of course be very limiting.
There are solutions, for example Bubble, which give you much more creative freedom. By using such no-code platforms, you can freely evolve your solution, add new features, and design the interface exactly as you want. Let's take a closer look at the opportunities offered by no-code platforms.
What are the benefits of no-code development?
No-code development reduces project time, eliminating coding and all related aspects, such as bug fixing. As a result, you have more time to focus on fine-tuning your solution instead of putting out fires in the development process. It's a win-win: you can get your application to market faster while taking all the time you need to perfect all the features, user experience, and interface.
The potential of cost reduction No-code is also not unimportant, especially when it comes to more complex projects that would otherwise require hiring developers with advanced technology knowledge. With no-code, you're skipping that part.
And what about the less? When talking about no-code development, the most mentioned benefit is usually the ability to do things by yourself without hiring an external team. This may be true; however, you'll get the best results if you hire a professional team with no-code expertise. We don't recommend treating it as a cheaper alternative, but rather as an opportunity to take your solution to the next level.
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As you can see, both approaches have their pros and cons - it all depends on your priorities and the specifics of your project. If you need help choosing the right model or developing the application with a no-code approach, send us a message - we'd love to help.
