What Are the Emerging Uses of No-code Technology?

Imagine being able to develop any solution you want, be it a website, an app, process automation, or interactive user guides, without knowing how to code. All that is possible thanks to no-code solutions which are emerging all across the industries allowing designers, freelancers, and small companies to do what once was only available to those with coding knowledge.

What is no-code?

No-code refers to solutions that are visual builders consisting of pre-built modules that users can drag and drop into a clean canvas in order to build their own product. These types of tools can be used by anyone without any coding knowledge or skills, are designed to be intuitive, and often come with an abundance of helpful resources like video guides, ready-to-use templates, or forums with plenty of experienced creators ready to share their tips and tricks. The graphic interface of no-code software is usually very intuitive and easy to work with. Additionally, it is common to find interactive user guides which make it easy for users to get to know the tool.

But no-code is not only about building; launching and adjusting projects is as easy, usually requiring just a few clicks. Once the project is finished, all it takes to launch it live is one button. When it comes to adjusting the design or making any changes, the no-code tools do not require taking the project offline. Users can work on their product even when it is online and no changes or interruptions occur until the changes are purposefully published.

It is worth remembering that no-code is not the same as low-code, which is another type of solution gaining popularity these days. On the contrary to no-code, low-code does require coding knowledge to successfully build a product. Depending on their needs, users may choose which solution would work best for them.

Benefits of no-code

No-code solutions are becoming more and more popular and there are plenty of reasons why people fall for these tools. Here are 5 biggest advantages of using no-code software:

• The biggest advantage is flexibility and agility. No-code tools are cloud-based solutions available to anyone, anywhere. In most cases, users can access their projects from any device that has an internet connection.
• Any sudden changes can be done within a blink of an eye, which in the case of coding would take up to a couple of weeks. And as with all visual editors, the changes are easy to make. What is more, no-code offers fast launching enabling any project to go live in minutes.
• No-code is especially popular amongst small businesses, start-ups, and freelancers. It is because, on contrary to traditional product development, it does not require a lot of resources.
• A single person can build and launch a product within a couple of hours, even if it's their first time doing so. As a result, one does not need to cover the cost of hiring a team of developers and having to wait for weeks or months for the product to be developed. What is more, with no code software , any changes can be made right away and exactly the way a user wants them to.
• One of the reasons no-code is popular among small businesses is the low cost. Such tools are usually based on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. Not to mention that no-code is much more affordable compared to traditional product development.
• Businesses that decide to innovate can even reduce costs by using no-code software.
• Another advantage of no-code is the real-time preview which allows users to instantly see any changes to their project. This option can significantly improve efficiency as the design can be adjusted on the go.
• The project can be previewed whenever needed during the creation process and any minor mistakes or bugs are spotted before it is being published. It also gives users the power to see how the final project will look and behave after being published.

What can you build with no-code tools?

Currently, no-code has no limitations when it comes to what you can build with it. Depending on the industry and experience, you can create either a simple project or a more complex one. From online surveys that only require you to insert questions, to apps consisting of interactive elements, shopping carts, and more. The possibilities are unlimited, to the extent that some companies base their business on no-code. Here are some of the most popular uses of no-code:

• Building a website used to be a huge challenge for those striving to create their online presence but not able to code. But that is a thing of the past.
• No-code solutions not only enable users to create websites but also offer ready-to-use templates that anyone can use and turn into their own website by changing the text. Forget about a website as a scrollable lengthy page. The no-code builders give possibilities of, among others, building interactive portfolios, or eCommerce sites.
• App-building no-code solutions are still growing, however, it is already impressive what one can build with these tools. From powerful mobile apps to voice app development for Alexa and Google. With these builders, even smaller businesses can follow the trend of creating their own apps.
• Now, local shops, cafes, or small service providers showcase their offerings in apps to get to a wider audience.
• No-code becomes more popular within the regulated industries with more fintech solutions emerging all around the world. One use of the no-code in fintech is digital client onboarding which enables banks and other financial institutions to verify their clients while onboarding them remotely. Something that once was done manually can now be fully automated to ensure regulatory compliance and improve customer experience.
• Building project management tools with intuitive visual editors is easier than you think. From single tasks to complex projects with multiple stakeholders involved - the no-code task management apps let you build them in minutes.
• There are plenty of no-code tools that allow anyone to easily manage their projects by simply dragging and dropping tasks into a timeline, board, or list. Not only does it improve work across teams and departments, but also removes having notes spread across your desk.
• Marketing is currently all about no-code solutions. From CRM, through performance reporting, to content creation - all marketing tasks can be done with no-code tools. The days when videos were made by professional video makers are long gone. No-code software allows the creation of beautiful videos by simply dragging elements like pictures, GIFs, music, or text into a canvas. The same goes for creating graphic images, email marketing campaigns or social media campaigns.
• Thanks to no-code, a small marketing team can now do what once required a variety of professionals.

Whether you are launching your own website, building an app, or onboarding new clients, you no longer need to rely on lengthy development processes. Product development does not require plenty of resources that used to strain small companies or freelancers away from growing their businesses. With no-code solutions, anyone without coding knowledge can create their own product regardless of its complexity. And with more and more tools appearing on the market, businesses now have more opportunities than ever.

About the author

Anna Klis is the Head of Marketing and Communication at HelloFlow. With experience in the SaaS industry, she has mastered her knowledge of fintech, specifically no-code digital client onboarding solutions. She’s ready to share her knowledge on both fintech and marketing.