Mobile and web applications are becoming the new normal for businesses: they help streamline internal processes and help businesses connect with their clients. However, the world is running short of people making these apps as demand soars much faster than new developers enter the field. This scarcity is making others take matters into their own hands.
While this talent shortage was happening, no-code was also surfacing as a new option for developers to work faster and smarter with tools that removed complexities from their tasks. Large chunks of code turned into predetermined blocks, and testing and deploying products became easier thanks to the simplifying tech.
No-code technology also had another target audience in mind — people who wanted to get into coding but didn’t have the expertise or formal education. By learning logic and getting their hands dirty to acquire app-building expertise, anyone who wants to create their own mobile and web app can do it now using no-code tools. This rise of citizen developers is helping address the engineer shortage in 2024, empowering those who want to build apps within their organization to do so.
Let’s explore the advantages of no-code for app building with few technical skills and the impact this can have on your business.
Democratizing App Building for Citizen Developers
Coding used to be reserved for the few who devoted their studies to the craft. It requires an extensive learning path before even writing your first line of code, and the specific expertise needed made it a coveted line of work. However, it wasn’t for everyone, as developing apps became more complex and demanding depending on the use case.
No-code disrupted the software engineering space by oversimplifying the groundwork — lines of code — so people could jump straight to the programming part, using drag-and-drop elements to add features, implement actions, and ultimately deliver bug-free outputs as useful applications.
On average, no-code uses ten times fewer resources than traditional coding. This means the technology’s tools are all-in-one hubs that dramatically reduce the complexities of building an app.
The technology’s ease of use has thus leveled the playing field, allowing anyone interested in building a web or mobile app to make it with basic computer skills. With complicated lines of code turned into blocks and visual tools, learning how to develop an app has become as easy as using Microsoft Word or Photoshop. It’s easier than ever to get started while providing a rich experience to master.
Passing the Baton to Non-Technical Teams Through Low-Code
KPMG forecasts that no-code and low-code will become the preferred software development method by 2025. Low-code is the next step in a no-coder’s journey, requiring more expertise and specificity when developing an app. Depending on the field, a mix of both further empowers non-technical teams to build apps for their companies.
Back in the day, an IT person would be essential to do anything tech-related at a company. As time passed, technology started catering to the average person at the office, school, or home to use the internet, write emails, draft documents, and make presentations. No-code is doing something similar with coding, simplifying this task so teams won’t have to rely on IT staff.
So, whoever wants to build an app that simplifies workflows can! Are you thinking of simplifying invoicing for your small firm? Would you like to connect apps to automate repetitive tasks in your department? Is it easier for customers to fill in their loyalty program application information through a dedicated app? Citizen developers can do this and more; as their business needs grow, they can craft applications that suit their specific needs without needing the IT middleman.
Creating a Collaboration Haven With Low-Code/No-Code
As tools that enable anyone to code, no-code and low-code are clearly addressing the IT talent shortage effectively. However, there are even more industry benefits to this shift. By allowing more people to build applications, the technology also ensures that IT staff won’t go it alone anymore.
Upskilling and reskilling citizen developers means they can take care of a company’s web and mobile application needs and resort to IT personnel for complex or rigorous matters. This way, engineers can spend their time on more critical activities like cybersecurity or ensuring systems are healthy instead of coding and programming apps.
More citizen developers also translates into better collaboration between technical and non-technical departments. Now that no- and low-coders know what IT staff are up against, even on a surface level, they can better understand what their job entails and improve cross-departmental communication and collaboration.
The benefits of no-code and low-code across industries are just beginning to shine through. From upskilling to delivering more work satisfaction for citizen developers and helping cover the IT talent shortage, this simplifying technology will continue to make strides as more businesses leverage its potential. As organizations expand, so does the need to develop dedicated internal or customer-facing apps, with citizen developers taking the lead in meeting these demands from now on.
Get started on your citizen developer journey with Appli today! Download the Appli Builder and art coding with our Learner Tier now.
