Low-code and no-code are terms that are increasingly appearing in the IT and business environment. These are platforms and tools that allow the creation of applications without the need for traditional coding, making working with them easier and faster. Data analysis regarding these tools indicates that the interest in them is growing exponentially.

The development of these types of tools prompts reflection on who can truly be called a programmer. Can we deny this title to someone who can highly automate processes across multiple systems using applications like make.com, even if they do not know any programming languages?

According to predictions, by 2027, the global low-code market will reach a value of 65 billion dollars, and by 2030, it will rise to 187 billion dollars. This means that the market value will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.1% from 2020 to 2030. This is a tremendous growth compared to 10.3 billion dollars in 2019*.

The significance of low-code and no-code tools

Why is there such a significant increase in the importance of low-code and no-code tools? COVID-19 has influenced remote work and the need for flexible tools that enable businesses to be more efficient. Companies are seeking ways to optimize work processes, and low-code is an ideal solution.

In 2015, Gartner predicted that IT departments would face a fivefold demand for application development compared to their ability to deliver. With faster application development using low-code, corporate IT departments can meet expectations.

Non-IT department employees are no longer condemned to long waiting queues to automate part of their duties labeled as "low-priority." Thanks to the increasing popularity of tools, some of which we will list later in the article, they can take matters into their own hands.

In 2020, only 25% of companies were using low-code tools, and according to predictions, this percentage will increase to 70% by 2025*. Companies are continuously seeking ways to improve their work processes, and low-code and no-code tools provide them with such an opportunity.

Here are a few top low-code and no-code tools:

• Zoho Creator - a tool for creating and customizing business applications without coding, including databases, CRM and ERP systems, forms, and reports.

• PowerApps  - Microsoft's tool that allows rapid creation of custom business applications, including time tracking apps for projects, internal order processing, inventory management, and document generation.

• Mendix  - a tool for rapid creation and deployment of business applications that support supply chain and logistics management, customer support, order, customer, and inventory management in one place.

• Outsystems - a tool for creating business applications and systems that enable building and expanding order management systems, inventory management, and self-service portals for customers.

• Quickbase  - a platform for creating and managing business applications, including databases, forms, reports, workflows, supply chain, and CRM management.

• Salesforce App Cloud - a comprehensive CRM platform that allows creating and customizing business applications, including application development, integration, and data analysis tools.

• Workato - a tool for business process integration and automation, including marketing, sales, IT, and HR automation.

• Pipefy - a platform for managing business processes that allows creating configurable CRM software, order-related workflows, order automation, providing comprehensive control, visibility, and organization of the purchasing process.

In the next part of the article, we will discuss the application of no-code and low-code tools in e-commerce, focusing on aspects such as marketing automation and content management - I invite you to read it :)

Benefits for companies using low-code and no-code

Companies utilizing low-code tools recognize numerous benefits, including flexibility (83%), speed (63%), and automation (67%)*. These factors contribute to innovation and project execution speed while reducing costs.

We can divide low-code and no-code tools into those aimed at eliminating the need for programmers in less complex areas and those designed to enhance developers' efficiency in their daily work by reducing the need for writing every line of code.

Low-code, therefore, proves to be a viable solution for companies struggling to employ IT specialists at all (currently, 82% of companies cannot find suitable personnel*) and for those facing a high employee retention rate despite having their developers.

Companies are increasingly aware of low-code and no-code tools. According to Gartner's predictions, by 2024, 75% of enterprises will use at least four low-code platforms.

Key areas for implementing low-code applications often involve process optimization and improvement. Automations and integrations using low-code offer rapid return on investment (ROI) in successful implementations and do not generate high costs in case of unsuccessful projects. This makes low-code platforms attractive to both small and large companies, whether for creating ready-made solutions or prototyping.

Pitfalls of low-code and no-code tools

The benefits of using low-code and no-code tools are apparent. They enable faster project implementation, time and cost savings, and provide a more flexible and efficient teamwork environment. Of course, these tools do not replace IT specialists, but they can be valuable support for the team.

Low-code platforms can be used to create simple automations and integrations, but they can also be utilized to build complex applications for enterprises.

Thanks to low-code and no-code tools, almost anything can be built, from custom ERP systems to CRM systems, although the question remains - is it worth doing?

Lowering the barrier for application generation and broadly understood code seems to threaten the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). In cases where a process can be optimized and/or unnecessary elements can be eliminated, applications that, at best, automate "empty wheelbarrows" will increasingly be created. At worst, they may overcomplicate something that is already out of control.

Additionally, while these tools eliminate the need for knowledge of programming languages, they often do not eliminate the need for understanding developer patterns and do not promote good practices such as mutual code reviews or the secure separation of non-production and production environments.

It is essential to remember that although IT is usually associated with automation and accelerated growth, this area also experiences unsuccessful or moderately successful implementations that generate high maintenance costs, which can work contrary to the intended goal at some point.

Low-code and no-code in e-commerce

The trend also finds its reflection in the realm of online stores. Perhaps the most popular solutions in this category, which have been developing for some time, are popular page builders. As e-com.house, we also follow this trend, implementing page builder solutions as part of our proprietary components tailored to PWA or tools embedded in Magento 2. This solution works excellently for companies that need to efficiently manage content on their e-commerce platform without involving additional developers.

If you want to discuss our solution, please contact us and schedule a free 60-minute consultation.

Other solutions in this trend are marketing automation tools, allowing the creation of advanced marketing scenarios based on events emitted by websites. All it takes is for a developer to implement basic events such as adding items to the cart, viewing products, or making a purchase (and better yet, the tools can automatically recognize them). Then, the marketing department, using flow builders, can generate dozens of different scenarios to reach customers with promotions based on those events.

Another worth mentioning representatives of this trend in e-commerce are tools for broad customer service automation. We are talking about chatbots and voice bots that have been allowing the creation of conversation scenarios with customers before connecting with a real consultant for quite some time.

Summary

Low-code and no-code trends will continue to develop alongside technological advancements. Companies will increasingly use such tools to expedite business processes and achieve greater flexibility. This is undoubtedly a direction worth developing to remain competitive in the market by being susceptible to change.

To be able to verify new directions for the company's development, it is essential to have a business built on solutions created from scratch with easy integration with other elements in mind. One of such solutions is Composable Commerce, which belongs to the most innovative and desirable e-commerce trends that are worth considering in the development of your company.

Low-code tools are developed by teams of specialists in their fields, regardless of their ultimate purpose. Therefore, they can excel within the functionalities they offer. Such an approach requires a thorough analysis of needs and solution availability among low-code tools, but it rewards accessibility and the utility value of the final product.

*source of data - link