For nearly a decade, digital marketing models have transformed how businesses promote their products or services. Many companies have recognized this trend and are adapting to changes in consumer behavior while leveraging the new technologies that are emerging at an increasingly rapid pace.
Companies must demonstrate speed and agility if they want to succeed in today's market, as things move very quickly. A business has two options: stay stuck in the past or follow the trend. Last year, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated a prevailing trend: no-code.
Definition of No-Code & Low-Code
Answering the question: What is no-code?
When you think about it, the name NoCode is quite fitting because it precisely conveys what this approach entails - no coding. Coding can be very intimidating for new developers and students venturing into mobile app development, for example.
It requires not only managing a programming language but also understanding the underlying concepts of programming to effectively use any programming language. Fortunately, this challenge is becoming almost obsolete now that a new solution has emerged: no-code tools.
The no-code approach is a way to develop, for example, an application without needing to understand the actual workings of the code. The goal of no-code is to reach the widest audience possible and to make it accessible to everyone: startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations.
What solutions does no-code provide?
It's been over 20 years since the Web was invented, and today, more than 73% of the global population is connected to the Internet. The innovative aspect of computing is that the best software is often the simplest. The no-code programming model is a good example of this. This type of tool aims to make architecture and programming easier and more accessible for all developers and programmers.
With the growth and adoption of cloud-based software delivery platforms, it’s becoming easier for large companies, as well as small ones, to implement new digital solutions and manage their data storage needs, for instance.
Use cases are varied and solutions cater to all sorts of needs: collaboration, team project management, online sales, task automation, website creation. Once we dive into no-code, we realize that the scope of professional opportunities is immense.
But this comes at a price, you might say, yes, but what price? In an increasingly connected world where companies, regardless of size, can easily reach consumers worldwide, one could argue that there is currently no other solution as effective as SaaS in terms of flexibility relative to cost. We will expand on this question later in this article.
The development of no-code in France
Time is of the essence, and global competition has become complex. Project management techniques and sales development must constantly evolve. Fortunately, the digital ecosystem is experiencing exponential growth in France. New technologies play an increasingly significant role in business development, and a new entrepreneurial mindset involves a new digital culture #StartUpNation.
Access to digital resources such as online training, professional marketplaces, incubators, accelerators, etc., is rapidly developing in France, thanks to successful entrepreneurs who want to remain active even in retirement and also due to other entrepreneurs who have learned from their mistakes or successes while navigating their own entrepreneurial journey. The NoCode movement is quickly gaining momentum worldwide, including here in France! Welcome to the French Tech!
The advantages of no-code vs low-code tools
1. No-code tool: limitless functionality?
No-code tools are a solution for companies looking to shield themselves from development and maintenance costs. With no-code tools, developers have access to a vast platform of ready-to-use features.
But is it really possible to use these tools for everything? How can businesses utilize these no-code tools for their own websites? To automate their sales prospecting and CRM?
They are relatively unengaging and most offer the opportunity to test them before full adoption. Thousands exist in the market, so why waste time and money developing a solution when a SaaS option can very likely meet your needs? However, it is essential to consider a few important criteria when choosing a tool:
- its price
- Customization possibilities
- The interface/training needs to utilize it
2. Low-code vs no-code: What are the differences?
No-code and low-code are two types of software that have made a splash in the market. Many developers and companies wonder: "What is the difference between no-code and low-code?" On the surface, no-code and low-code may seem similar, but dig a little deeper, and you'll see they are quite different. Understanding what no-code and low-code are will help you see why they differ.
No-code: Intuitive platforms, like GIT or Trello, allow users to drag and drop different blocks of information from their list onto a physical surface (what you do when narrating stories about your projects). These tools simplify developing mobile applications, storing centralized data, or automating process flows. The most impressive aspect is that they make it appear easy!
Low-code is an enhanced version of no-code. It allows users with some knowledge or the addition of a few (low) lines of code to enhance their platform and create additional functionalities. More technical and manageable, a wealth of information can be found online through blogs or forums!
3. The cost of software: are platforms too expensive?
Most no-code solutions are charged on a monthly or annual subscription basis. Costs may seem high, especially when subscribing to several services, but in reality, the financial benefits are better because no-code technology eliminates the need to hire additional developers or pay for system maintenance.
The price question, therefore, doesn’t arise in our opinion. Building and delivering your own product by hiring a developer would take much more time and be less practical due to being significantly more structured. SaaS subscriptions allow you to switch products if your needs change, quickly and without additional costs.
Use cases in business: development, projects, applications, training
1. Develop a project without coding
In every industry, you can find advantages to using no-code or low-code tools. Here are a few examples of business challenges where SaaS solutions find their place:
- Optimize your team projects by working with functional tools and utilizing connected collaborative methods
- Share data with clients and partners on platforms
- Improve productivity and work quality in teams
- Boost creativity and idea generation
- Increase visibility on the web
- Enhance your presence on social media and improve SEO/SEM/SEA rankings
- Create an application
- Automate tasks: hello Zapier and Integromat
- A Beautiful and functional CRM: thanks to Airtable
2. Training: Transform careers through digital
In the evolution of the digital industry and the economy, programming skills are becoming increasingly essential. Developers are consequently in high demand. This is why no-code has become a major issue for companies aiming to reduce their recruitment costs. Given the significant rise in labor costs in the job market, no-code addresses the need for efficiency. No-code includes development software for creating websites, mobile applications, messaging apps, and other project management solutions with advanced functions using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies.
This represents a new era that reshapes established norms and allows everyone to train and change careers. You can easily embark on a new career or shift roles within your company by acquiring and learning new digital skills! There are many online courses and training available! So, what are you waiting for? Join the movement.
3. Startup? Launch your MVP
Now that you’ve discovered no-code, you can quickly operationalize your startup on a limited budget. This gives you the freedom to focus on what matters most - starting your business! Instead of spending time developing your technology, an approach that allows novice developers to build software applications. The No-Code approach will enable you to devise a customer acquisition strategy and test your market within a realistic timeframe, while adhering to your budget constraints.
Thus, rather than investing months in writing code, you can reach more potential customers in a shorter timeframe. In fact, this is a straightforward strategy: attract customers without writing code. Several use cases have proven the basic logic of this approach to be undeniably effective, significantly reducing the overall revenue cycle duration and minimizing existing and future risks associated with growth for companies offering on-demand services or horizontal products where the cost of scaling is relatively low compared to revenue.
In summary, swiftly bring your product to market using Bubble (for applications) or Webflow (for building a site)
Need to create your website? No-code solutions
The "no-code" approach allows website and business owners to streamline the creation of their sites using software or SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) functions. For example: WordPress, Wix, or Webflow are tools that enable users to easily create blogs, pages, and events. Content management services allow non-coders to manage their own websites while ensuring that everything is taken care of for them – from content editing to marketing and SEO. The number of web creation options available is quite substantial, but if you are interested in this type of work, you should consider the option that offers the most comprehensive selection of programming languages, as some may be limited depending on the functionalities offered by the site builder in use. Explore our Webflow website creation offer (certified web agency).
1. "Drag and drop" technology
In web development, the drag-and-drop technique is a user interface method in which elements are added to a page using a mouse or another pointing device. The user drags an element from a palette or source document and "drops" it in the desired location in a different document. Drag-and-drop is a popular technique for web development because it is easy to learn and use. It involves a very simple process: the user just needs to click on the object, drag it to the desired location, and then release it.
2. Webflow or WordPress for your site project?
You will often hear us say that Webflow is for designers, while WordPress is for developers. And to a large extent, this is not entirely true. Both platforms are powerful and offer numerous possibilities for both designers and developers, depending on your skills, goals, and budget. We are frequently asked which platform is better. The most crucial thing is to understand that it depends on your specific situation. Of course, both platforms offer mobile solutions, which is critical these days. At Digidop, we have chosen to specialize in using Webflow and to become experts in it.
3. Build your strategy
The terms "strategy" and "UX" are both essential components of web design. Online strategy refers more to the marketing strategy the web designer wishes to integrate into their website. This can include keyword strategies, online promotion strategies, and so on. UX can be described as the user experience strategy that the web designer strives to achieve through their website. The user experience strategy is the level of user experience the web designer seeks to achieve through their website, or how they want users to interact with the site.
Mobile first? User experience is always a primary concern. Therefore, it is essential to design your mobile application or website with this in mind. You want users to access your product anytime and anywhere, which requires designing a user interface that facilitates this specific convenience!
The 6 best no-code tools on the market
1. Task Automation: Zapier / Make (Ex: Integromat)
Integromat or Zapier. Have you ever wondered which one to choose? YES, a robot can do it for you. The promise is simple: automate your workflows and eliminate repetitive tasks.
2. Website Creation: Webflow
Our favorite website creation tool by far! Fully usable with no-code, yet with low-code possibilities that can launch your landing page to the moon. Discover Webflow.
3. No-Code App Creation: Bubble
The definition of developing a mobile application using no-code!
4. CRM: Airtable
Revolutionary no-code tool. Excel, but better, in short, "enough of this sheeeeet."
5. Project Management: Coda
I like to define it as "It's Notion but prettier." I love the design and UX of Codaa.io. Teamwork, collective intelligence. All your company’s knowledge centralized.
6. SEO and Position Tracking: SEMRUSH
The 360° diagnostic tool for your website.
