Low-Code and No-Code: Why Businesses Should Care

It’s pretty impressive what you can do with low-code and no-code software – but it’s not surprising. 

In 2015, Gartner published a report that said business application demand would increase over 5X what IT developers could deliver by the end of 2017. Since then, we’ve had a global pandemic, a few new social media platforms, and a lot of change in the tech sector, so those figures have probably tripled, or even quadrupled from what they were. With businesses growing much faster than they used to because of the technology we have available, it’s no wonder that we’re looking at a low-code, no-code revolution for 2024 that’s going to really hit the software industry. 

But not in a bad way. Like running the new path for the Santa Ana River Turkey Trot, it’s just a little different from what we’re used to. 

Let’s start from the beginning. 

What is low code/no-code development?

When you code something, writing it from scratch, it takes time and it takes skill. Development languages such as Javascript, Python, Kotlin, PHP, all require understanding those languages to start with, and figuring out how to use them – pretty much the same as any spoken language. Usually, this means you have to have a software developer that understands those languages on staff so they can keep that code up to date, running smoothly, and working well. 

LCNC, or low-code, no-code, means that that software developer doesn’t need to know how to code, although it definitely helps! LCNC software is built on the same languages that the software developers spend years learning – Python, PHP, and Java, for example – but they work a little bit like drag-and-drop website builders. Using a graphical user interface and a series of tools, no-code and low-code platforms provide the template, and anyone who knows even the basics of a coding language can then build and publish an app. 

Why is low-code/no-code development trending right now?

There is a big pressure in the industry to churn up mobile apps at faster and faster rates, and it’s become harder for software developers to keep up, and for businesses to justify waiting longer than their competitor to release an app. With the smartphone becoming so ubiquitous to human existence that people forget their car keys or wallet before they forget their phone, LCNC tools are creating a neat little bridge between app development and business demand, and helping cut down on development times so that businesses can create their applications faster. 

What type of applications can you build with LCNC software?

The thing is, LCNC software is built on coding languages, so there’s very few applications that cannot be built using LCNC. From mobile apps to websites to customer relationship management apps, LCNC can help any organization no matter the size put out an app at a much faster pace. 

Low-Code and No-Code in 2024

For 2024, low-code and no-code is going to be very difficult to avoid. Software development didn’t get easier or simpler over the years: all it did was showcase how much can be done with tech, and what you can possibly use to achieve it. The shortages are still there; the technology is still there, and these two factors are at odds. 

That’s why low-code and no-code is such a massive trend for 2024. Businesses need every competitive edge they can get, and LCNC development helps them stay above the competition. 

By 2025, it’s estimated that 70% of new apps will be developed using LCNC technologies; we’d actually say that that number will be a lot higher. Just look at what happened with AI, and how quickly it has shown organizations the speed at which business can work. 

Does this mean businesses won’t need software developers?

Most LCNC solutions are customizable, to a point, but if you’re looking for a fully customizable experience, then you’ll still need software developers. LCNC solutions are great for putting out an app fast if you don’t have a software developer you work with, or if you’re still in the market looking for someone as a startup, but they’re not 100% when it comes to replacing software developers. Between what you need from an app, and the software itself, you might find that you would do better working with an actual software developer than using a LCNC solution. 

AI didn’t completely remove copywriters and designers from the industry, and LCNC is not going to do the same to software developers. Instead, they’re just tools that your regular software developer can use, or tools that you can get started with when it comes to building an app for your business – but as always, only you can decide which side of the conversation you’ll benefit from. 

If you need help figuring out whether LCNC software is a good starting point for you, drop us a line – we’re happy to help guide you through what you can do with them!