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The need to stay ahead and accelerate innovation has fueled the rise of no-code and low code app development platforms. These approaches offer businesses a strategic advantage by accelerating development cycles and driving revenue growth.
This article presents a cost-benefit analysis of this approach compared to the traditional one to help you understand their associated cost and choose the most suitable method.
The strategic benefits of no code and low code app development
These platforms enable the rapid creation of applications using visual interfaces, pre-built components, and drag-and-drop tools. Low code development requires minimal coding and is suitable for developers and non-technical users alike.
Meanwhile, no code app development platforms are designed for users without any coding knowledge. Therefore, both approaches allow non-developers to easily create and modify applications.
They offer the following strategic advantages:
Faster speed-to-market
These platforms are game changers when it comes to accelerating the development process. Businesses can quickly iterate on their ideas, test functionalities, and bring products to market much faster than traditional development methods allow. This agility enables companies to respond promptly to market changes, seize new opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge.
Flexibility and scalability
No code and low code development platforms make it easier for businesses to adapt to changing needs. These platforms support various applications, from simple workflows to complex enterprise systems, and can be scaled effortlessly as business requirements evolve. The modular nature of no code and low code app development platforms means that new features and functionalities can be added without disrupting existing operations, ensuring that businesses can grow and innovate continuously without significant downtime or additional costs.
Empowering business use
This is perhaps the most transformative impact of no code and low code development. They empower “citizen developers” by allowing non-technical staff to participate in application development. This democratizes innovation, reduces dependency on IT departments, and enables business users to quickly create solutions that better serve customers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Cost efficiency
One of the most compelling advantages of low code and no code app development platforms is their cost efficiency. These platforms reduce development costs by minimizing the need for specialized programming skills and extensive coding. Maintenance expenses are also lower due to automated updates and built-in support, allowing businesses to allocate resources more effectively to fields like marketing and innovation.
Cost analysis: Traditional vs No code and low code app development
To understand their financial implication, let’s compare the costs associated with each approach.
Traditional development costs
Traditional software development involves several significant expenses that can quickly escalate. Here are the primary cost factors.
Hiring skilled developers
The process of acquiring skilled developers entails various expenses that can impact a business’s budget.
- Salary and benefits: Skilled developers command high salaries, often with additional benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses.
- Recruitment costs: The process of finding and hiring the right talent can be time-consuming and expensive, including advertising positions, conducting interviews, and onboarding new hires.
- Training and retention: Ongoing training to keep up with technological advancements and retention strategies to reduce turnover add further costs.
Extended development timelines
The extended duration of traditional development projects can lead to a variety of issues, including:
- Project delays: Traditional development often involves lengthy timelines, from initial planning to final deployment. Delays are common due to the complexity of coding and testing.
- Opportunity cost: Extended timelines mean a longer wait to bring products to market, potentially missing out on first-mover advantages and revenue opportunities.
Regular need for maintenance and updates
Traditional development approaches tend to need regular maintenance and updates that can lead to considerable expenses such as:
- Bug fixes and patches: Regular maintenance is required to fix bugs and update the software, necessitating continuous involvement from the development team.
- Feature enhancements: Adding new features or improving existing ones can be as resource-intensive as the initial development, thus requiring substantial time and effort.
No code and low code app development costs
In contrast, low code and no code app development platforms offer a more cost-effective approach to application development. Here’s how they compare.
Lower initial investment
These platforms significantly reduce the upfront costs associated with starting a project, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes.
- Platform subscription fee: Low code and no code app development platforms typically operate on a subscription basis, offering predictable and often lower costs compared to traditional development.
- Reduced infrastructure costs: These platforms often include cloud hosting and maintenance, eliminating the need for significant upfront investment in infrastructure.
Reduced need for specialized talent
No code and low code development platforms minimize the reliance on specialized talent, resulting in significant cost advantages for your business.
- Enabling citizen developers: Low code and no code platforms empower non-technical staff, or “citizen developers,” to build applications. This reduces the dependency on highly skilled developers and spreads the development workload across the organization.
- Simplified training: Training staff to use these platforms is generally quicker and less expensive than training them in traditional coding languages and methodologies.
Shorter development cycles
Compared to traditional methods, low code and no code platforms significantly reduce development timelines thanks to:
- Rapid prototyping and deployment: Low code and no code platforms enable faster prototyping and deployment of applications, allowing businesses to respond quickly to market demands.
- Iterative development: These platforms support iterative development, enabling continuous improvements and updates without lengthy downtimes.
Lower maintenance costs
Another reason low code and no code platforms result in long-term cost efficiency is their ability to reduce maintenance expenses significantly.
This is achieved by:
- Automated updates: Many low code and no code platforms handle updates and maintenance automatically, reducing the need for ongoing developer involvement.
- Dynamic scalability: Built-in scalability features allow businesses to grow their applications without significant additional investment or redevelopment.
The table below summarizes the cost analysis of traditional and low code and no code development approaches:
| Cost factor | Traditional development | Low code and no code development |
| Initial investment | High (infrastructure, development tools | Lower (subscription fees, inclusive of tools) |
| Talent costs | High (skilled developers, ongoing training, retention) | Lower (citizen developers, simplified training) |
| Development timeline | Long (extended planning, coding, testing) | Short (rapid prototyping, iterative development) |
| Opportunity cost | High (delayed time-to-market, lost revenue opportunities) | Low (quick deployment, faster market entry) |
| Maintenance and updates | High (continuous involvement of developers for bug fixes and enhancements) | Lower (automated updates, minimal developer involvement) |
Closing remark
By leveraging no code and low code app development, businesses can significantly reduce the costs associated with software development and maintenance. This cost efficiency, combined with the ability to adapt to market changes quickly, makes low code and no code development a strategic asset for decision-makers looking to drive innovation and revenue growth.
At GEM, we specialize in deploying leading low code and no code platforms such as OutSystems, ServiceNow, and Salesforce to help businesses harness their transformative potential. Our expanding tech expertise and ISO-certified and CMMI-appraised delivery process position us as the trusted IT partner for leading companies across various industries.
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