With the recent surge of low-code/no-code developments, how does it compare to custom development for a startup’s long-term growth?
No-Code / Low-Code has recently become a huge trend for small startups and solopreneurs. This recent surge of no-code/low-code developers can be attributed to the popularity of Bubble.io and the seeming success of this leader in No-code has brought forth. This trend has created a lot of confusion amongst those who have yet to jump on board with this new type of coding. So what exactly is No-Code/Low-Code?
What are No-Code and Low-Code Platforms
No-code refers to software development that does not require technical skills or programming knowledge. Low-code developers use tools like drag-and-drop editors, business rules, workflow management systems, visual design tools, and others to develop applications without writing any code. No-Code / Low-Code Development Tools:
The main difference between a Low-Code and No-Code developer is the tools they use to build an application. A Low-Code developer typically uses development tools such as Jira or Confluence. While a No-Code/Low-Code developer will typically use one of these 3 main categories:
1. Business Process Management Systems (BPM) -Business process management systems are intended for non-technical people to be able to design, build, and deploy business processes. The goal of BPM is to create a process that can be repeated consistently to achieve the desired result.
2. Business Rules Management Systems (BRMS) — BRMS are typically used by businesses to manage their rules, policies, and processes. These systems allow for the easy creation of new business rules as well as the modification of existing ones.
3. Custom Applications — Low-Code development tools offer the ability for non-technical people to build applications using drag-and-drop functionality or wizards. These applications can then be customized with code if necessary.
No-Code / Low-Code is a great opportunity for businesses to get more involved in their technology stack and has more control over the applications that are being built for them. Traditionally, companies would hire developers to build out these types of applications but with No-Code/Low Code Development Tools you can now do it yourself without any programming knowledge or skills required! This has been a huge game changer for small startups who want to take advantage of new technologies like AI and machines.
Why No-Code/Low-Code could hurt your Business/Startup
With this in mind, when we are thinking about long-term growth Custom Development is still superior to no-code/low-code development for the following reasons.
1. You can have a say in the development process. As an end user, you will be involved with every step of the development process. This gives you more control over how your application looks and feels. This gives you the opportunity to implement a UI/UX interface that fits your specific industry needs. Perhaps you are working with a specific demographic of clients that respond better to a certain interface and a small custom design will be able to triple your active users.
2. You can take advantage of new technologies as they become available. No-code/low-code development tools are often outdated because they are built on old technology stacks that haven’t been updated since their inception. By developing custom applications with experienced developers, you will be able to take advantage of all the newest custom technologies that can keep your business competitive for long-term growth.
3. From a design perspective custom development is superior to No-code/Low-Code and would be better for your business. No-code/low-code development tools are usually limited in their ability to deliver unique, creative, and innovative design solutions that are not possible with drag-and-drop functionality. For a business that is interested in setting a competitive advantage over your competition and wants a strong brand image, the best approach would be to use custom development to create designs that are specific to your brand. You want your product to be unique and memorable.
4. While low-code/no-code development remains to be convenient, it lacks the ability to conduct A/B testing for your software/mobile development. You will not be able to test your application and see what works best for users, unlike the custom coding approach. This is why it would be beneficial to have a developer on board who can conduct A/B testing with the software you are building so that you can get real-world results before rolling out any changes or updates.
What’s the alternative to No-code/Low-Code?
Overall Low-code/No-Code development is inferior to custom coding and will harm a startup’s long-term growth because it will not be able to take advantage of new technologies, and is limited in its ability to deliver unique design solutions or conduct A/B testing. This is why it’s important for small startups and solopreneurs who are looking to build an application with their own branding and style to take the time to find a team of qualified developers that can help them achieve this goal.
The alternative approach of hiring a full team of developers in-house or using low-code/no-code development would use a reliable agency that offers affordable custom full-stack development, taking the complicated portions of development out of your hands so you can focus on the growth of your firm. An agency can design the software/app in full alignment with your brand’s identity, test it via A/B testing to verify its efficiency for your industry’s demographic, and work with you to create the perfect app for your brand.
At Valere, our rockstar developers, UI/UX designers, engineers, and QA managers work with your team to create your dream software/app at an affordable price. Speak to us today to get your vision off the ground!
Valere is an award-winning software development agency that has built over 300 top-rated applications for startups and Fortune 500 companies in all verticals like healthcare, finance, sports, fitness, education, and more. Their apps have been featured by the New York Times, and have been consistently recognized as Apple App Store’s top featured apps, TechRadar, and Google Play Store’s top featured apps! Schedule a call with us today to learn how we can help your team create the perfect software or application that can Accelerate Your Business Goals!
