Gartner’s recent research on the software market reveals that by 2025, 70% of software applications will be built by enterprises that would use LCNC (Low-code, No-code) technologies. Therefore, it strikes our mind that what are LCNC technologies after all?
No-code Platforms:
No-code platforms, as their name reveals, are visual tools that completely eliminate programming to create a software application. Wix, EasyCart, and Carrd are examples of no-code platforms.
Low-code Platforms:
Similarly, Low-code platforms comparatively demand fewer codes to create a software application. Ideal examples of low-code platforms are Webflow and HubSpot.
Behind the scenes, LCNC platforms utilize established programming technologies like PHP, Python, or Java. They offer an interface featuring UI components and a drag-and-drop visual programming environment, akin to WYSIWYG editors or Wizard-style paradigms, enabling the creation, testing, and deployment of applications.
How NCLC Emerged
The software development industry always has to keep a balance between time-to-market and cost-efficiency. Therefore, developers always strive for the latest technologies, tools, and techniques to cut their development time and hence the costs.
Perhaps, it is the reason that we encounter new technologies, frameworks, tools, and tactics emerging now and then. For example, in the early days, we had HTML as the prime programming technology for web development. Similarly, C-class programming languages meet desktop application development.
The evolution of technology platforms and their tools has been ongoing for decades. Yet, the approach to programming has remained largely unchanged, with programmers dedicating significant time to extensive coding. However, the advent of low-code and no-code methodologies has revolutionized the landscape, offering a transformative shift in how programming is approached.
Thus, developing websites and web applications through online tools made it possible for non-developers to enter the designing and development niche. Today, we have visual programming tools to create any scale of websites or web applications with intricacies.
Thanks to the LCNC platform, our designers and developers are creating software within no time and deploying them on the web.
NCLC History
Many think of Visual Basic as one of the earliest low-code IDEs (Integrated Development Environment). However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, many low-code platforms emerged, and their evolution began. For example, if you consider Spreadsheets as a low-code tool, it started in the 1960s and is still gaining momentum.
In the early days of computing, machine languages were used, and binary code was entered by toggling switches. In comparison, languages like C and FORTRAN are considered low-level, but they are higher-level than assembly languages.
In short, the evolution of programming languages itself is a low-code approach. Therefore, we can say Python is a low-code programming approach compared to C++ because Python developers depend on runtime environments and libraries.
Pros and Cons of NCLC
Pros of NCLC:
NCLC promises several benefits to the software development industry, such as
Rapid Development Cycle
Low-code platforms offer
- Web-based drag-n-drop functionality
- Reusable application components
- Built-in libraries to aid in the designing process
Thanks to these, NCLC platforms enable developers to launch an application within the shortest time frame.
Numerous Options
NCLC platforms offer a higher degree of freedom to configure the application. There are numerous options in the form of parameters to configure components and hence the application. Thus, end-users get enough scopes to model their requirements.
Tenancy Extension
In NCLC, some requirements still remain unaddressed. Therefore, almost all NCLC platforms offer scripting options to tweak the code and customize the application in desired ways.
Promote Innovation
Developers or designers use NCLC platforms to demonstrate their ideas visually and quickly. Thus, developers can persuade management to invest more resources in the development. Here, degrees of freedom and tenancy extension features help them to promote innovation.
Customer Experience
Customers are always comfortable with conventions prevailing in the industry for the use of devices. Therefore, the NCLC platform gains quick adoption thanks to its visual interface and drag-n-drop paradigm.
Minimum Infrastructure
NCLC platforms are always deployed on the cloud and run with standard browsers. It zeroed the additional IT infrastructure and maintenance staff. Users can access NCLC platforms from anywhere and through any compatible devices.
Enhance Efficiency
NCLC enhances the efficiency of the development team for their day-to-day tasks. It reduces the developers’ burden and decreases additional IT staff’s demands. Developers can swiftly install much-needed functionality.
Efficient Governance
NCLC platforms allow the development team to manage a portfolio of applications while maintaining compliance and governance capabilities. Moreover, NCLC cuts the dependency on third-party software for quick fixes and allows for a collaborative environment.
Comprehensive
Traditional codes are not easy to follow unless they are with proper commenting. Therefore, NCLC is popular even among the developer community thanks to its easy configuration and bug-fixing abilities.
Enhanced Agility
Speed remains a nightmare in the traditional development environment, while NCLCs are built for speed and simplicity. Therefore, NCLC is famous for deploying endless requirements quickly and easily.
Cons of NCLC
We have seen the pros of NCLC platforms. Now, let’s see its flip side and know some cons of NCLC platforms.
Limitation to Customization
In the traditional development process, coders can address any scale of custom requirements and tweak the software as per their desires. Unfortunately, in NCLC, there are several limitations to modifying the built-in functionality of objects or components and fully customizing the solution. Of course, Tenancy Extension can address the need for customization with scripting but with some limitations.
Risks & Security
NCLC application providers have limited control over source code. Therefore, it leads to application risks and disturbance in security flow. If the data and systems are exposed to vulnerability on the web, application providers hardly help in this regard.
Vendor Lock-in
Once you create applications or websites using NCLC platforms and deploy them there, you have little choice but to switch vendors. So, you prove to be a victim of vendor lock-in.
What Can You Build with NCLC Platforms?
In fact, you can build anything from simple API to intricate social media and SaaS platforms using NCLC platforms. For instance,
Custom Software Add-ons & API
Suppose a company has account software but lacks facilities to log its employees’ hours. NCLC allows the developer to create an add-on and plug it into the accounting software. However, the company cannot bear the expenses of creating such add-ons via coding. Therefore, NCLC supports the creation of Add-ons and APIs to integrate with existing software.
SaaS Products
Many startups have limited financial resources for expensive SaaS products through programming platforms. Thus, they prefer NCLC platforms to create SaaS products quickly and without hiring software developers and designers.
Education Products
Ln cash-strapping developing nations, digital education needs to be affordable. NCLC platforms provide ample scope to create myriads of education-supporting products, such as educational tools and apps to create virtual classrooms.
NCLC Essential Principles
It is worth discussing some essential NCLC platform principles to know better how they are helpful to us.
MDD (Model-driven Development)
Model-driven development is the foundation of NCLC. It helps you turn a business idea into a functional application. MDD delivers value through abstraction, automation, and openness. It’s built on collaboration and communication.
Collaboration
NCLC platforms also allow teamwork. Everyone in the team can see what others are doing and contribute to the development through collaboration tools. It leads to better results.
Agility
If everyone in the team is well-aware of what to do and how to do it in the development, the entire process becomes agile and runs smoothly. In addition, it helps eliminate bottlenecks faster.
Cloud Services
Cloud services help an app to run faster and provide regular updates quickly. Cloud also makes application deployment easy and hurdle-free.
Openness
NCLC is open to creating anything without bothering about architecture and other resource-related constraints. You can translate any idea into an application.
Multi-user Development
NCLC permits more than one user to work simultaneously on the same project. So, designers and developers can work together and see updates from each other through collaboration tools.
Scope for Innovation
NCLC platforms allow users to implement their innovative ideas without bothering with the development constraints they face in coding. They can experiment and bring innovation to the table.
Governance & Control
In NCLC platforms, governance and controls are robust, and everyone keeps track of who did what and when.
Vast Community
NCLC platforms have vast communities of developers and designers who willingly share their ideas and knowledge with others and make the ecosystem rich by suggesting new ways.
UX Tips for NCLC Platforms
The following are tips for UX design for NCLC platforms. A designer must keep them in mind while designing UX for NCLC platforms.
#1 – Never Be A Robot, but Behave Like Humans
When you create content for NCLC platforms, be user-friendly. Write content that welcomes users and guides them properly with appropriate instructions and messages.
#2 – Highlight CTAs
Make your CTAs different using proper white space, typography, and color styles. Write CTAs addressing the immediate action that the user has to take. Clearly cite what action you want users to perform through CTA.
#3 – Design for Context
When you design for NCLC platforms, bear in mind users’ feelings at a certain point. Consider their location and emotional state while crafting the user experience. Thus, your design will be contextual and relevant.
#4 – Simplify Password Recovery
Users used to deal with so many platforms daily, and forgetting passwords is an everyday affair. So, simplify the password recovery process without compromising security aspects. It must be a low-stressful process.
#5 – Follow Hierarchy
Follow the best practices for creating a hierarchy system to make navigation easy. Use typography practices to establish hierarchy. Keep typography consistent, i.e., font size, style, and colors.
#6 – Display Progress Bar with Relevant Data
User frustration occurs when a user doesn’t see any response to their action. Therefore, don’t let users wait with a blank screen; instead, display a progress bar to keep them engaged and reduce their anxiety. A linear progress bar with relevant data is the best choice as it increases user engagement.
#7 – Use Progressive Disclosure
If your application has advanced features, don’t reveal them at once with basic features. Instead, use progressive disclosure so users gradually get accustomed to advanced features and have enough time to learn them. Keep standard features or actions visible at all times.
#8 – Let Users Scan the Navigation
Today, extensive navigation schemes are common in applications, and if not dealt with properly, they can create a mess. Therefore, use metaphor icons to make the navigation scheme scannable. Also, the search feature is common today, and using advanced search with autosuggestion, filters, and other features makes sense.
#9 – Prefer Usability Over Design
Usability has paramount significance in UX design. Therefore, prioritize usability against flashy UI design.
Who Will Be Your UX Designer for NCLC Platforms?
UX design for the NCLC platform is challenging and demands enough experience and hands-on expertise in platforms. Fortunately, RP UXCollab has dealt with HubSpot and Webflow-like low-code platforms for years and has served global brands with desired success.
First, you must contact the UX design team at RP UXCollab and know their capabilities to meet your custom requirements. So please pick up a call, talk to the team, and get a free quote.
