Is it a good idea to create a no-code mobile application?

When launching their business, entrepreneurs are often tempted to keep costs to a minimum. So they look for every possible way to save money, including when it comes to creating their mobile application. That's why more and more of them are turning to no-code solutions. As an agency specializing in mobile application development, Le Backyard is here to warn you: creating a no-code mobile application is a bad idea!

Focus on mobile applications and no-code

‍

Before explaining in detail why no-code isn't always the best option for creating your application, let's take a moment to look back at the two key concepts here to better grasp the challenges and limitations of this approach: no-code and mobile applications.

What is a mobile application?

‍

These days, it's almost impossible to launch a service or product business without a website, a presence on social networks and also a mobile app to enrich the user experience.

‍

More than just an icon on your phone screen, an app is an interactive, customized tool that meets the specific needs of your company and your customers. It can perform several functions: 

‍

• Communicate directly with your customers. With push notifications, you can inform them of new products and promotions. For example, an airline could indicate the boarding gate for flights, or encourage customers to order a meal that will already be ready on board.
• Simplify transactions. Apps offer secure options for making direct payments. A car rental company, for example, will make it easier for its customers to make a rental and find all the documents they need to collect the vehicle from the branch on their phones.
• Provide specific functionality. Apps bring unique functionalities to your users, enhancing their experience with your product or service. Examples include innovative features such as Face ID, Touch ID and augmented reality.

A mobile application is in fact an extension of your brand, building loyalty and facilitating day-to-day interaction.

‍

No-code and low-code

No-code lets you create applications without having to write a single line of code. It's a solution seen as magical by many entrepreneurs who don't have the necessary coding skills.

‍

Thanks to tools like "drag and drop", they can design a custom application in just a few hours. Fast, economical and headache-free, or so it seems...

‍

Among the most popular no-code platforms is Bubble, which offers a visual editor for creating complex workflows. Webflow, Adalo and Glide also offer similar features to simplify the creation of no-code mobile applications.

‍

Slightly less popular because of its complexity, low-code is also very popular. Halfway between no-code and traditional development, it allows you to create applications using very little code.

What are the advantages of no-code?

‍

If no-code solutions are so successful, it's because they offer more advantages than disadvantages for novices wishing to enter the world of mobile applications: 

‍

• They are accessible to all , since no programming skills are required to create the applications.
• They are fast, as they are based on visual interfaces and predefined blocks, reducing design time.
• They save you money. You don't need to hire a specialized developer to create the app.
• They offer greater freedom to business teams, who no longer need to go through the IT department to create their own tools.

However, although no-code is an attractive solution, it also has many limitations.

‍

Why a bad idea?

‍

Using a no-code solution to create your mobile app is anything but a good idea. Le Backyard explains why.

‍

1. A high risk of replicability

‍

If a mobile application is easy to build, this also means that anyone can copy it. In an increasingly competitive environment, it's a mistake to allow something as valuable as an application to be easily replicated.

‍

Indeed, it's important to design an app that meets the real needs of your audience, while reinforcing your brand image. You need an app with a strong personality, making it difficult for competitors to reproduce it. It's this uniqueness that will set you apart in the marketplace and win the loyalty of your users.

2. Technical limits rapidly reached

‍

No-code solutions are based on predefined modules. It's therefore logical to imagine that if your application needs specific functionality, you'll quickly find yourself limited.

‍

What's more, integration with external systems can be complex, especially if complex APIs or customized databases are required. These constraints can slow down the evolution of your application and hamper its ability to meet your company's growing needs.

3. A real lack of safety

‍

The more successful your mobile application, the more users it will attract, making the protection of everyone's data all the more crucial. The problem is that, because no-code platforms are often turnkey solutions, they offer little control over authentication, data protection and attack prevention.

‍

If a vulnerability is present in the platform's infrastructure, all the applications hosted on it may be at risk. This could result in the loss of users scalded by your application's lack of security. What's more, you could find yourself facing legal problems in the markets where you operate, jeopardizing your reputation and your business.

4. Limited specific features

‍

Entrepreneurs often have the impression that the possibilities offered by no-code tools are limitless. However, this is not the case. Especially as, over time, your mobile application will need to be enriched with more and more features specific to your services and products.

‍

So it's important to think ahead and ensure that the no-code tool you intend to use to create your mobile application will enable you to enhance it over time, without compromising its smooth operation. You certainly don't want to find out along the way that no-code isn't enough to develop your application, and have to start from scratch while leaving your users waiting.

5. Disposability is inevitable

‍

A mobile application must be designed to last. However, this is not the vocation of those created using no-code tools, as they lack scalability. What's more, the regular updates that applications require are very difficult to carry out with no-code solutions, which are technically limited. 

‍

If your business is growing and relying heavily on a no-code mobile application, the need to move up a gear is inevitable. You'll need to develop your new application in code, this time from scratch. This will take several months, during which you'll need to continue running your business, while guaranteeing uninterrupted access to the application so as not to lose any users. A real challenge!

‍

Let's not forget that no-code is still an excellent solution for testing applications and validating ideas before embarking on more solid, sustainable development.

‍

6. Expensive hidden costs

‍

No-code solutions seem perfect for contractors on a tight budget. However, they can end up being expensive. Firstly, they often operate on a subscription model, with rates increasing with the number of users or advanced features.

‍

Secondly, as your application evolves, you're likely to encounter technical limitations requiring customized solutions, resulting in additional costs to get around these obstacles.

‍

Finally, if you need to migrate to a bespoke solution at a later date, the transition can be complex and costly, as no-code applications are generally difficult to transfer. In addition to the financial loss, the time lost in this transition can be significant.

‍

Why work with le Backyard ?

‍

Le Backyard supports many entrepreneurs in the creation of mobile applications, as well as in the development of their strategy. Our team is therefore particularly attentive to the challenges and needs of this specific profile, enabling us to offer you effective, personalized support.

‍

What's more, our staff regularly update their knowledge of market trends in applications, new technologies and available products. This enables us to offer you the solutions best suited to your needs and those of your customers.

‍

Fill in this form for more information!

‍