With the ever-increasing demand for website and app development, people are switching to the Low Code Web Development approach. Just like its name, this kind of web development involves writing very little code and building apps with drag-and-drop features.
The revenue earned by the low code market was $7.61 billion in 2021 and is expected to harness $36.43 billion by 2027.
As per the report of Gartner, by 2024 80% of IT development would be done by non-tech people using low code and no code (development with zero coding effort) approaches.
It is quite convenient, reduces development time by a huge margin (90%), and puts little stress on the IT team. Experts suggest that nearly two-thirds of new businesses will rely on the low code and no-code development platforms by 2025. However, is this the best approach for web development, or is there something better than this? Again, whether your company should use this approach or rely on traditional software development approaches. Well, there are plenty of questions, which we would like to answer here.
Quick Comparison of Several Important Web Development Factors
Firstly, let us compare and contrast the different types of web development approaches. Today, we will discuss the basic – low code, and traditional development.
Let us check the pros and cons of both.
Definition
The low code development approach exhaustively uses a graphical user interface and its drag-and-drop mechanism to create an application. In opposition to this, traditional development uses manual coding.
Tools Used
The low code development approach uses fully-fledged tools like Mendix and Appian for quick application development. In contrast, the traditional approach relies on web development frameworks, design tools, and programming languages.
Coding Know-How
The low code approach does not require much coding knowledge as all its functions are done by UI. Instead, the traditional approach requires advanced coding skills and a grip on web frameworks.
Development Speed
While the low code approach assures fast-paced web app development and builds apps within 1–3 weeks; the traditional approach takes at least 2–8 months to build a website.
Customization
You cannot do much customization with the low code approach. However, the traditional approach helps you build an end-to-end, tailor-made, custom application from scratch.
Deployment
It offers very quick deployment but is limited to a few platforms that support this approach. Unlike this, traditional approaches are convenient to deploy applications on any and every platform.
Maintenance
Low-code apps are quite easy to maintain as they support automatic updates of software. On the contrary, the traditional development approach demands an entire team for support and maintenance of custom apps.
Let’s Understand Both Development Approaches – Know the Details
What is Low Code Development?
The Low code software development approach uses very little code. Instead, it relies on ready-made templates and pre-coded modules for application development. Highly suitable for beginners and the non-tech crowd, this approach is gaining huge popularity in the current times. Anyone can build an application by dragging and dropping modules in the required order. All they need to do is draw a flow diagram and it will automatically build the app. Little knowledge of coding helps to suffice the need for personalization at any given point.
Don’t Get Confused Between Low Code-No Code!!
We need some clarity on this. No code development approach uses zero code and relies totally on the graphical interface. Non-tech people can drag-and-drop components and create a web application. As opposed to this, the low code approach demands some technical knowledge and is best for technically challenged resources who can write simple code to customize an app built by using GUI.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Low-Code Development
Let us glance through some of the merits and demerits of the low code development approach.
Advantages of Low Code Development approach
High-speed Development: It takes just 1–3 weeks of time to develop a web app using this approach. It reduces the time-to-market period to a bare minimum.
Low-cost development: You need very few technical resources and just a few bucks to buy the template and app builder tool. This cuts down the development cost by a huge margin.
Least requirement of technical knowledge: Your non-tech team can build a fully-fledged application by generating workflow through drag-and-drop functionality.
Little investment and high ROI: Any business including startups can earn high returns by investing very little – any amount between $5 and $1000 per month. It includes everything including security, data management, and QA part.
Disadvantages of the Low Code Development Approach
Low quality: You cannot expect a high-quality app made with the traditional, start-from-scratch approach. This approach has its flaws, but small businesses can still take a chance with it.
Little chance of customization: When you want personalization, this model is not suitable. It will take technical expertise to customize modules using this approach.
Tough to deploy: Portability is another issue as low-code apps are not easy to deploy on all platforms. There will be issues of data migration on changing the platform.
Scalability is at risk: These apps are not meant for large-scale companies that demand futuristic, scalable applications.
These are the practical hazards associated with low code web applications. They are replacing traditional approaches but certainly cannot match their quality and efficiency.
What is Traditional Web Development?
Traditional software development is a professional approach that requires qualified resources to build an app from start to finish and customize it to deliver the best outcome. Manual coding is at the heart of this approach where every feature is developed and made operational through handwritten code. Complete SDLC is followed here and all kinds of quality tests are run to develop a flawless web application.
It demands investing time, money, and resources and delivers high-quality application that is secure, scalable, and feature-rich. Advanced features are added to build all sizes of applications – from Startups to Enterprises.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Traditional Web Development
We will go through the merits and demerits of the traditional web development approach to see which one is better for any organization.
Basic Advantages of Traditional App Development
Highly scalable apps: You can add more features, modules, and even computational infrastructure. The application is efficiently coded to accommodate all of this and other futuristic changes.
Fully customized app: The tech team can totally customize the web application with business-centric features, functionality, and a customer-centric user interface.
High quality guaranteed: Experienced and qualified web developers can add or remove features and re-code things as per the need of the hour. This assures excellent quality apps without any compromise.
High quality guaranteed: Experienced and qualified web developers can add or remove features and re-code things as per the need of the hour. This assures excellent quality apps without any compromise.
Potential Disadvantages of Traditional App Development
High cost of development: As you hire professional web developers and other resources, it costs you more than the low code approach. You invest time, money, and team in this approach.
Takes more time to develop: It takes at least 2 to 8 months to create a fully-fledged web application. Delays due to corrections and rebuilding of modules need to be considered in the overall time of development.
Requires a dedicated team: Companies need to invest in a whole IT team from designers, developers, QAs, and deployment experts, to build a custom app. They have to streamline the process of development and reporting to finish things on time.
It depends solely on the criteria of web application development, the requirements of the company, and the timeframe available for the development. Both approaches have their pros and cons and can be considered as per the need of the hour.
It gives rise to two scenarios which are described as follows:
Scenario 1 – When to Choose Low Code Development?
For static apps: Choose this time-saving approach when you need to build static websites that demand no changes in the future. In addition, it is very useful for building quick prototypes to be shown to investors.
For prototypes: There is no point wasting professional resources to create a custom MVP. Instead, use the low code approach, design a presentable prototype, show it to the stakeholders, get approval and then build an end-to-end app through the traditional approach.
To create an out-of-the-box web solution: If you have an innovative idea, then incorporate using the low code approach and see its viability against the practical challenges.
To save time: When you are in a time crunch and need an application that showcases your work, go for the low code approach. It will take just 5–10 hours, and you are done! It is best for small businesses that do not need high-tech features in their app.
To build no scalable apps: Any application that demands no scalability, simple UI, and the least technical knowledge can be built with a low code approach. The only concern is that it may not give many benefits in the future.
Scenario 2: When to Choose Traditional Web Development?
For custom web solutions: Well, the age-old approach is very useful when any company wants to create a tailor-made application with its business logic rightly placed at its centre. Go for it when you want custom UI, personalized features, comprehensive solutions, and quality checks to kick off the practical hazards.
For scalable applications: When you require manual coding to develop functionality that is scalable in the future. The app should accommodate the addition of features and perform on any infrastructure in the future.
For performance-driven apps: High-performing websites and apps are possible only with a traditional development approach. It is a far-sighted approach that is meant to be executed when you need to resolve technical bottlenecks and potential errors.
Portable apps: The traditional software development approach is suitable when your application demands third-party integrations and portability to diverse platforms. Otherwise, low code will do.
When automation is at the core: When you want to push the power of the business through automation, you need qualified web developers who know every traditional development tactic.
Uncertain requirements: When your requirements keep on fluctuating and the application needs constant refinements, the traditional way is the best way to go. With this, you can build atypical, never-seen-before features and fine-tune them for future challenges.
The Ultimate Conclusion!
Both approaches have their individual benefits and loopholes. The business houses should figure out which one matches their requirements. They can also take help from a web development company that specializes in both. Their team can assess which model will suit the client’s concept.
If you have a project idea in mind, KrishaWeb is ready with professional help. We are experts in web development with expertise in many technologies, frameworks, and approaches. We can convert your concept into a functional web application.
