7 benefits of using a low code app builder

In the past decade, there has been an explosion in app development – using both hand coding and low code app builder platforms. From games to internal corporate apps, these clever pieces of software govern much of our daily lives. In fact, according to research from Insider Intelligence, US mobile users spend 88% of their daily activity on apps of one sort or another. And with Statista figures suggesting that there are 3.55 million apps on Google Play and 1.6 million on the App Store, this is a technology that’s not going away.

So, if you want to build an app, where do you start? Like all technology projects, you start with research – this gives you a clear idea of what you want to achieve, who your app is for, how much money you have and how you want to approach the build.

Traditionally, app development has been done by hand coding. This means a team of highly-skilled developers, which can result in long lead times and high costs – even for straightforward apps. But now with the emergence of low-code app builder platforms, such as OutSystems, Microsoft Power Apps and Quickbase, the way that apps are developed has completely transformed. In fact, we’d argue that the low code revolution has begun and is taking over!

In this article, we’ll explore the main benefits of a low-code app builder and explain why it could be the right choice for your business. 

Why use a low-code web app builder?

There are many reasons why a low code option might be best for your app – whether you’re building a commercial app, a dedicated app for your customers, or an app that helps you manage your business processes better.

Faster time-to-market

The app space is a competitive one. Whatever type of app you’re building, the sooner you get it out to your audience, the sooner you can reap the rewards. For this reason, choosing a coding option that gives you both reliability and development speed is critical. A low-code app builder gives you exactly that. 

Lower development costs

Using traditional hand coding takes time – and money. Even businesses with huge budgets to throw at app development are looking for more cost-effective ways to get to the end goal. While low code development still requires development skills, the automated nature of the platforms means you can achieve the same outcome with fewer people and a shorter development cycle – and that all translates to a lower development cost.   

Scalability

One of the mistakes that many businesses make when they turn to app development is to only think about what the business needs today. This is particularly true for businesses who are adapting current spreadsheet processes into apps. As your business grows, your app should be able to grow with you, supporting you to meet your strategy. Good quality low code app builders can talk to you about your business’s future needs, and build in the features you need to accommodate your growth.

Faster development cycle

Speed is often a key requirement of app development. Low-code platforms use a ‘drag and drop’ approach for many of the key app elements. This means that once your development team knows what you want, they are able to build faster than traditional hand coding. This means you can reduce the development cycle time, helping your business to stay a step ahead.

Easier to maintain

Once you’ve paid for your app development, you’ll need to make sure everything is kept up to date and easily accessible for users. This covers everything from load times to security features. Traditionally, you’d need a dedicated support package, and updates may result in downtime for the app – interfering with the seamless experience your audience wants. Low-code web app building is typically easier to maintain and avoids this type of extensive downtime.

Better integration

Depending on the purpose of your app, it may need to integrate with other software. This could be payment software for commercial apps, or internal software for business solutions. The best low-code platforms have reliable integration capabilities, allowing your users to get the best possible experience – and the app to deliver to your expectations.

Lower error count

Like many manual processes, hand coding runs the risk of introducing human error. Quite often, these errors are not discovered until the app is in use – even with good-quality testing processes in place. Low code app builder platforms reduce the opportunity for error by automating much of the development process – so you can be more confident about the app’s end performance.

We are a proud OutSystems partner – one of the world’s most popular and reliable low-code app building platforms. We have used OutSystems to build our own leading software solution for the waste management and recycling industry, and we also work with clients to develop their own apps. These help them to improve efficiency, boost customer service levels and use technology to drive a competitive edge.

You can find out more by contacting us today.