What Is No Code?

“Nocode” refers to applications that are built using advanced visual tools. Examples of these tools are:

  • Bubble
  • ReTool
  • WebFlow

With these tools you can:

  • Build out an application UI
  • Create action rules that govern what happens as the user moves through an app
  • Create complex workflows

And more – all without necessarily having to open up a code editor.

In most “no-code” applications, you generally integrate other function-specific tools for really advanced functions. For example, you might integrate with an SaaS that provides membership functionality or one that handles affiliate functions.

Many no-code applications end up integrating with e-Mail services such as Mailchimp and data-flow-transfer services such as Zapier.

One of the most notable aspects of most “no-code” applications is the sheer number of vendors that might be involved. In the past, the more vendors you had the more complex the application.

Today, with the ease of no-code integrations, that is not necessarily the case. We’re not saying that more vendors does not mean more complexity – it’s just a lot more manageable today that it would have been even just 10 years ago.

Democratizing Code

One of the biggest advantages of “no-code” tools is that they help folks who might not consider themselves developers to create functional and useful applications.

In many ways their effect is similar to how data analysis was democratized with the introduction of the spreadsheet.

No-Code Costs

“No-Code” is not necessarily cheaper than writing regular code. In many cases the costs might be greater. But the flexibility you get as an owner of a “no-code” application generally outweighs the increase in cost. And, generally, the barrier to entry for creating a new application is a lot lower with no-code tools that it is with regular software development tools.

Software Professionals?

So, where does that leave software professionals such as the folks that work for us? In a pretty good place actually. The more people that use “no-code” tools, the more applications exist which means that more applications will eventually need our help.

And, for mission critical projects, “no-code” is just another toolset – all the other skills that bring a technology project to fruition is still needed. In fact, many “no-code” tools specifically build in features for the software professional – features such as version control, project management, deployment tools and more.

If you have a hobby type project, you probably don’t need our help with no-code tools. But if you are serious about building a product or application that will be the backbone for your company or business then you probably do need our expertise. Because there is so much more to a successful mission-critical product than just the tool being used.

Ready To Build Something?

Check out our no-code calculator - it can help you understand your all-in costs for your project.  It takes into account factors that most others forget or just ignore!

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