Why Low-Code and No-Code Platforms are Here to Stay
Let me tell you a story. A few years back, I was working with one of the biggest financial services companies in India. I had a brilliant idea for a new customer service feature for the “super app” whose marketing I was handling. While I had a watertight business case to back my idea, I didn’t have the development resources or the coding skills to do a quick show-and-tell. And like many others, my idea, too, died before it saw the light of day. If Bubble had existed back then, this story would have had a different, happier ending. So, what is Bubble? A no-code platform with a drag-and-drop interface and prebuilt components that lets users create a working prototype in a matter of days. It’s magic! Let’s find out why this has us spellbound.
The Inexorable March of the Low/No-Code Platform
Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the big deal about a low- or no-code platform?” Well, let me put it this way: the market for these tools is expected to reach a whopping $27.2 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%. That is a lot of dough. But even more than that, these figures for low- and no-code platforms are hardly a surprise. This is because such platforms are making it easier than ever for businesses to build custom applications without writing a single line of code.
And some of the biggest brands in the world are already using a low-code or no-code platform to drive their digital transformation. For example:
- Zapier has helped countless businesses automate their workflows, saving them countless hours of manual labor
- Companies like Siemens and Ford have used Mendix to build custom applications that have streamlined their operations and improved customer experiences
- Not only startups and entrepreneurs but established organizations are also using Bubble to create innovative web applications and marketplaces
How Does a Low-Code or No-Code Platform Help?
1. Discovery and Planning
No-code/low-code tools can help you quickly prototype ideas and gather feedback from stakeholders. This ensures that you are building the right solution for the right problem.
2. Design and Development
These platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces, prebuilt components, and templates, thus making it a breeze to create visually appealing and functional applications.
3. Testing and Deployment
Furthermore, a low-code and no-code platform often comes with built-in testing tools and integration capabilities, streamlining the deployment process.
4. Maintenance and Updates
These platforms make it easy to update and maintain applications, ensuring they stay relevant and aligned with changing business needs.
While low-code and no-code platforms can be beneficial throughout the digital transformation journey, they shine brightest in the prototyping and development phases. By rapidly building and testing prototypes, businesses can validate ideas, gather feedback, and iterate quickly.
So, what are the real benefits of using low-code or no-code platforms? Let’s break it down:
1. Speed and agility: A study by Forrester found that companies using low-code platforms were able to develop applications 10 times faster than traditional methods. Imagine being able to bring new ideas to market in a fraction of the time!
2. Reduced costs: According to Gartner, organizations can reduce their IT development costs by up to 50% using low-code platforms. That’s a significant saving!
3. Increased innovation: Low-code and no-code platforms empower citizen developers to experiment with new ideas and features. This can lead to a surge of innovation and creativity within your organization.
Leveraging Low-/No-Code Platforms Effectively: A Starter Pack
1. Start Small and Iterate
Begin with simple projects to familiarize yourself with the platform.
2. Utilize Prebuilt Components
Leverage pre-existing components and templates to accelerate development.
3. Integrate With Existing Systems
Connect your low-code/no-code applications with your existing IT infrastructure.
4. Consider Security and Compliance
Ensure your platform meets your organization’s security and compliance standards.
And this can be done right by empowering the three critical pillars of the organization.
- People: Empower citizen developers and provide them with necessary training and support
- Process: Establish clear guidelines and governance for using low-code/no-code platforms
- Technology: Choose a platform that aligns with your organization’s needs and integrates well with your existing systems
The Future is Bright
As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more powerful and user-friendly platforms to emerge. These tools will play a crucial role in democratizing software development and enabling businesses of all sizes to innovate and compete in the digital age.
NOTE: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Emeritus.