No/low-code tools - the wonderland of technology, where anyone can create digital products, processes, experiences and businesses with minimal to no coding skills. But are these tools really all they're cracked up to be, or are they simply an overhyped trend? In this article, we'll dive into the world of no-code and explore its benefits and limitations.

First, let's start with the good stuff - the benefits of no/low-code tools. One of the most significant advantages of these tools is accessibility. With traditional coding, building a digital product and business processes can be a daunting task, requiring at least a basic understanding of programming and technical skills. However, with no/low-code tools, anyone can create a product without having to write a single line of code. This democratizes the development process, which can help business teams reach their goals faster and without being dependent on engineers.

Another benefit of no/low-code tools is speed. Building a product or process from scratch can take months or even years, especially if you're working with a small team, limited resources, or an ever-changing scope. No/low-code tools, on the other hand, can significantly speed up the development process. By using pre-built templates and drag-and-drop features, creating a digital product can take just a few days or even hours, depending on its complexity.

But the benefits don't end there. No-code/ tools also save you money. Hiring a team of developers to build a digital product from scratch can be expensive, especially if you're a small business or startup. No/low-code tools, however, are often much more affordable, with some even offering free plans that allow you to build a basic product at no cost.

Now, before you rush off to create the next big thing with a no/low-code tool, it's essential to understand the limitations of these tools. Firstly, no-code tools can be restrictive. While they offer pre-built templates and drag-and-drop features that make the development process easier, they can also limit your creativity. If you have a unique idea or require a specific feature that isn't offered in the tool's templates, you may find it challenging to create exactly what you envision. That's why in Varolio, we always provide the option to insert some custom JS code into the elements and processes, so customization is always an option.

Another risk to avoid is, that no/low-code tools can create a misguided sense of confidence. While they may be more accessible and easier to use than traditional coding, they still require some level of technical expertise. If an employee not familiar with web design or user experience principles, they may create a sub-par product.

Now, let's explore some cases that illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of using no/low-code tools.

Case #1: The Fast Food Chain's Automated Ordering System

A medium-sized fast food chain wanted to streamline their ordering process and reduce errors made by their staff when they were taking orders. They decided to use a low-code tool to build an automated ordering system that would allow customers to place orders through either a self-service kiosk or mobile app. The tool offered pre-built integrations with payment processors and inventory management systems, making it easy for the team to build a functional system in just a few weeks.

The automated ordering system not only increased the speed and accuracy of orders, but also allowed the chain to collect data on customer behavior and preferences, which they could not do while the employees entered the orders manually. With this data, they were able to make data-driven decisions on menu offerings and promotions, which led to increased sales and customer satisfaction. The low-code tool also allowed the team to quickly make updates and changes to the system as needed, without the need for extensive coding knowledge.

Case #2: The Software Company's Internal Project Management Tool

A software development company came to the realization that they had to improve their project management process and increase collaboration across their teams, as they saw that lack of communication almost cost them a potential deal. They decided to use a low-code tool to build an internal project management tool that would allow team members to track project progress, assign tasks, and communicate with each other in real-time. They tried third party software, but still had many integrations lacking from them, plus the price tags for some of those software were a serious expense. Therefore, they went the low-code route.

The tool allowed the team to build a customized solution that met their specific needs, without the need to allocate engineers that were busy with different projects. The tool offered pre-built integrations with other productivity tools such as Slack, Jira and Trello, making it easy for the team to streamline their workflow.

The internal project management tool not only increased the efficiency of the company's project management process, but also allowed for better communication and collaboration across teams. The cost of building the tools were nullified by the productivity boost and the customization options also gave them the ability to track their progress and build dashboards, so they could learn from sprint to sprint.

Overall, the low-code tool provided the software company with a cost-effective and efficient solution for improving their project management process, resulting in increased productivity and collaboration across teams.

Case #3: The Online Retailer's Customized Shipping Solution

An online retailer wanted to provide their customers with a more customized shipping experience. They decided to use a low-code tool to build a customized shipping solution that would allow customers to choose from a variety of shipping options based on their specific needs and preferences.

They were offered pre-built integrations with shipping carriers and tracking systems, making it easy for the team to build a functional system in just a few weeks, as integrating natively with those shipping carriers and other systems is an operation that could cost 10s of thousands of dollars.

The customized shipping solution not only provided customers with a more personalized shipping experience, but also allowed the retailer to optimize their shipping process and reduce shipping costs. With the data collected from the solution, the retailer was able to make data-driven decisions on shipping carrier selection and packaging options, resulting in improved shipping times and reduced shipping costs. No/low-code tools offer many benefits, including accessibility, speed, and affordability. They are a great option for icompanies who want to create a simple digital process or internal tool without having to write code. However, it's essential to understand their limitations, including restrictions on creativity, scalability, and the need for some degree of technical expertise. Ultimately, the decision to use a no/low-code tool versus traditional coding depends on the project's complexity and requirements. We encourage you give Varolio a try, as it combines the best of both words. The building process is easy and flawless, and yet there are many customization options, on-prem agent for larger companies, and enterprise-level support.