To understand what a No Code app is you first need to understand what "No Code" is and what an App is.
What is a Mobile App?
A mobile application, also referred to as a mobile app or simply an app, is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone, tablet, or watch. - Wikipedia
Mobile application development is the process of creating software applications. that software applications u can run on a mobile device, like a mobile application.
Trends show that users are spending more time in apps than Web
- The assets are packed on your phone so load quicker
- Users are familiar with the look and feel guided by the conventions of iOS or Android
- Some functionality can work offline
- Mobile apps can use more native features such as push notifications,
GPS, Camera, etc
As Mary Meeker highlights fun her infamous internet trends report, mobile penetration is beyond the peak. More than half of the world have smartphones (there are 3.5B smartphone users).
It’s no surprise everyone thinks they need an app
What is No Code?
No-code is a term to refer to software that allows you to build things online visually like you were building something from your imagination with Lego blocks.
🤔 Less than1% of the world can make mobile apps using computer instructions through symbols and syntax, imagine how many people are being shut out from solving the worlds problems, feeding peoples passions and mitigating peoples fears
Okay...so what is a No Code App?
Oh so now you ask!?
A No Code app is basically a mobile-app builder.
No code tools such as Adalo, Bravo Studio and Glide that let you build apps that work on smartphones, very quickly.
My first taste of this super power was when I built a glide app in a couple weeks over Christmas. If I’m truly honest, at the time, it felt like I was cheating.
You are probably in the same boat. Thinking that you need to work out the cost of an app launch. Or looking for a CTO, Upwork freelancer or an agency to do it on the cheap.
Gone are the days of searching for the perfect developer to bring your ideas to life. It has its haters but you sure as heck won’t find a faster or cheaper way to find a solution
The great thing is, just because it’s simple, doesn’t mean it can’t be powerful.
Below is the various elements to your typical mobile app structure.
If you use tools like Adalo or Bravo Studio, it's been designed in a way that let's you interact with the building blocks. Another way to put it, is you can see some of the pieces coming together. No Code tools abrstract the complexities so you can interact with the building blocks.
Bravo Studio's stack looks like this for example 👇
The No Code App Builders are great for discovery and validation
No Code App Builders are varied in how robust or easy to use are.
Apps like Adalo export a real mobile app, has a database API and allows you to trigger native smartphone notifications. Glide on the other hand, constraints what you can do, bu are also grea for shipping quickly.
🤔 When I take a walk down memory lane to the Glide app I built as a fun side-project. If I wanted to take it to the next level, I could test out which customer segments have a willingness to pay, experiement with my messaging and do outbound selling to learn more from customers. Why should I be spending money on development (the most expensive part of the process) if I can't say with confidence whether it will succeed in the market.
Before you have any customers I don't believe we should spend time thinking about things like scale, performance, or having a development team maintain the code base
P.S. I write a weekly newsletter each Sunday morning about how to build great products, being a No Code maker and championing a diversity of thought. Subscribe
