You must have come across some no-code tool at some point. Think about website development. Earlier, making a website meant coding it from scratch. Website development is now codeless through CMS platforms like WordPress and Shopify.
No-code platforms have had a seismic impact on the way the digital world works. From fields like data analytics to website design, DIY tools have helped make complex tasks easier and faster.
Another field where no-code platforms are growing is app development. Mobile apps are the present and future of the digital world. There is no better medium for businesses to reach their customers.
Why are apps preferable? It’s simple. Apps are fast, accessible, and personalized, more so that websites can ever be. Even though app development is seen as a tedious and expensive process, DIY app builders are changing this trend. It wouldn’t be wrong to draw a parallel between CMS and no-code app making platforms. Just as WordPress transformed web development, DIY tools can do the same for app development.
This article discusses five reasons no-code platforms are the future of mobile app development.
#1: Enhanced functionality of DIY tools
Earlier, DIY tools were only good for creating limited functionality apps which did not have a lot of internal screens. There has been a significant change in this regard. App makers have become very powerful and offer all types of integrations to users. Building powerful apps that offer top-notch features and functionality is now possible with DIY app building tools.
Look at AppMySite as an example. It enables users to convert their WordPress website into an app. In the process, many of the website’s functionalities are also ported to the app. Any changes made to the website are synced automatically to the app.
Other auxiliary features like push notifications, app monetization, ecommerce support, and more are also becoming common. Apps built on no-code platforms are slowly becoming indistinguishable from custom built-apps.
This growth in functionality makes the case for no-code development. As further improvements and features are integrated, iOS & Android app makers available for free will start to dominate app development.
#2: Affordable and easy-to-use
One of the main sticking points in custom app development is the overall cost. When an app has to be coded from scratch, developers have to build every element of the app from scratch.
This requires a lot of expertise. Even seasoned developers wouldn’t downplay the tedious nature of building an app. Since a lot of technical expertise is involved, the cost of custom development reflects the same.
App makers are much more affordable because the process of building an app is automated. Users only have to complete a few simple steps to generate a brand new build.
Using DIY tools thus makes app development affordable and easy. Even a non-technical user can understand the essential working of a typical app builder easily.
#3: Expedited time-frame
Custom app development takes time. Even a standard app is not easy to build as every element has to be coded from scratch.
For many businesses, it is not feasible to wait for months on end to get an app. This adds another entry barrier to code-based development.
DIY tools are a natural alternative in such a case. No-code platforms enable users to build apps within hours and days, not weeks and months. Depending on the tool you choose, you can build apps in a much more expedited time frame compared to custom development.
There are many possibilities you can explore with an expedited development timeline. Firstly, you can spend more time on your marketing strategy. The tedious nature of development eats up a lot of time. This leads to reduced focus on all you need to do once the app has been built.
Building apps quickly simply enables you to plan your marketing efforts with greater clarity. This naturally gives you a much better chance of succeeding in the app market.
#4: Risk of app development
The Google Play Store has 2.87 million apps, while the Apple App Store clocks at around 1.96 million apps.
Now think about how many apps you can name. Not every app is destined for success. There are a myriad of reasons behind failure, from poor development to a lack of focus on UX.
Apps can fail. That’s the reality. For a small business, app failure is too risky when there’s a big investment at stake. Custom development costs money, and app failure can be disastrous.
This is perhaps the biggest point against custom app development. The risk of app development and failure is too deep to convince businesses to build apps from scratch.
DIY tools solve this problem because they’re affordable. Building and launching an app built with an automated no-code tool doesn’t have the same level of risk.
This enables businesses to build and publish apps without worrying too much about the financial risk involved. As more small businesses look to app development, DIY tools will become the preferred choice.
#5: Post launch updates and support
In custom development, the journey doesn’t just stop once you publish your app to Google Play and App Store. You also have to continually update your app to fix bugs, introduce new features, and more. Unless you have a team of developers who can do this, you will again have to lean on an outside agency to rollout updates.
This is not the most feasible solution if you don’t have a ton of investment. DIY tools like AppMySite regularly update the code versions they’re built on. These code version updates include fixes for bugs, new features, and more.
You can simply rebuild your app with a new code version and update it on Google Play and App Store. This way, you can roll out regular updates and features for your app.
In conclusion
There are broadly two ways you can create an app for your business: with and without coding. Code-based development can be expensive and tedious, which is why no-code app making is becoming popular. This article covers five reasons DIY tools are the future of app development. You can choose any one of the two development solutions for your business based on your specific needs.
