We all know that apps allow companies to provide a better customer experience, leading to more loyal customers and, ultimately, more sales and higher revenue. Engagement with customers can be increased with features such as direct notifications and an easy-to-use interface, building trust with your customers for long-lasting loyalty.
You might have heard around the traps about ‘no code’ apps and wondered what that meant.
In this post I will answer the question “What is a no code app?”
A no code app is literally an app you can create without having to write any code. Usually, a no code app platform will have a drag and drop builder so that you can literally drag and drop the features you want into an app to solve your particular need.
Gartner predicts that by 2024, approximately two-thirds of app development will be done on no code or low-code platforms. This is not suggesting that traditional software development output will reduce dramatically, but that a greater proportion of new applications are developed on no code or low-code platforms by individuals without app development expertise. Their prediction means that app builders will become the way of the future for individuals and businesses to get their apps out, with a minimum of fuss, at a low cost. How awesome is that?!
A no code app builder typically has easy to use menus, including a straight forward editor that allows maximum customisation. Here’s an example of an editing tool I found in an app building platform that’s currently under development. It’s called Appeggio, so watch out for that one! It’s simple and straightforward, with the ability for the user to add various parts, manage content via a content management system, manage APIs, alter themes and more:
You will typically have different templates to choose from, so that you can customise the look and feel of your app.
The features of a good app builder are developed and ready to go – you just select the ones you want included in your app. Some examples of elements that you could drag and drop into your app include:
- Registration / sign up forms
- Polls or surveys
- Push notifications
- Payment gateways
- Feedback forms
- Ordering
- Schedulers and calendars of events
- Chat with customers
- Share to social media
- Photo gallery
Depending on the platform, you can include images, icons, buttons, maps, videos and more. Some can include text and images from user-generated content or data fetched from Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) or other services. Some will allow you change the font, color or visibility of anything on the page based on what’s going on in the app.
The process of building the app is often as simple as:
- Login and create an account
- Design your application using customisable templates and drag and drop features
- Publish your app
An app really is achievable for anyone. It’s no longer just for big businesses with a huge marketing budgets, or techies who have special app development skills.
Not All App Builders Are Equal
There are a few different models of no code platforms around. You really need to work out what is going to be best for your business. Obviously some are better than others, and there are many different business models around. For exapmle:
- some build apps for Android only, whereas some are also iOS and web
- some will take your Facebook page and turn that into an app, and that’s the extent of their service
- others offer only very basic offerings and push their consultancy services as their revenue source
- others provide apps that cover just about everything you’d need, including the ability to scale and cater for volumes of users
The pricing models of app builder platforms also vary widely. For example:
- some have varying levels of monthly pricing (such as basic, gold and platinum), with each level offering varying features (such as the number of push notifications and the number of downloads). The basic plans can vary greatly, with some starting from as little a few dollars, and others starting from a several hundred dollars per month
- some take commissions from your sales (on top of other monthly fees)
- some are free and make revenue from advertising, where you can pay a premium to have the advertising removed
- some are free or low cost, and will charge for usage
- some have combinations of the above!
That’s where your research will become very important. Your considerations should include:
- what are the features you need, and will the app builder give you those features?
- how professional does your need app need to be? For example, will need options that remove advertising?
- can your app scale for the number of users you’re aiming for?
- does the app builder have the APIs* you have in mind?
- does the app builder allow you to change and adapt your app as business evolves?
- will the app builder serve you both now and into the future?
*For anyone who wants to know more about what I mean when I say APIs, there’s a great explanation here, in a post titled “What Is An API? In English, please.”
It’s an exciting time in the no code development arena. Websites are already accessible to anyone who wants one thanks to website builders, and now apps are moving that way too.
Over time, we’ll be reviewing app builders, and doing in-depth feature and cost comparisons, so that you can make the most informed decisions about which app building platform will suit you best.
Do you use a no code app builder? If so, I’d love to hear about it. Leave me a comment below.