What is No Code and How Does it Work?

If you’ve been asking yourself “what is no code?”, then you’re in the right place.

No code has become more than just a buzzword that eventually fades; it’s a full-blown movement that has transformed the way in which websites and web-based content is created — and it is here to stay. Discover the power of no-code development and its impact on web design.

In this article...

1. Understanding No-Code Technology
2. Differentiating No-code from Traditional Coding
3. The role of no code developers
4. How No Code Development Tools Work
5. How To Work With No Code - best practices
6. Benefits of No Code Development
7. Integrating No Code Development into Digital Strategies
8. FAQ

Understanding No Code Technology

What is No Code?

In the mid-20th century when computers first emerged, the only way to instruct these early systems was through instructions that were inputted via such low-tech means like punch cards, switches, and plugboards. Only those well-versed in bits, bytes, and the primitive syntax of machine-level operations held the almost mystical powers to bring these early computers to life.

But as the technology powering computers evolved, so have the languages commanding them. Advancements in programming have taken coding to higher levels of abstraction, making it more recognizable as human language than as the robotspeak binary of zeroes and ones.

This onward progression towards simplicity has had a huge impact on web development. We’re now in a new age of no-code technology, where designers are no longer bound by having to know the intricacies of HTML, CSS, Javascript, databases, and server requests. The magic of no-code opens up web design to anyone with the spark and desire to create.

The Evolution of No Code Development

HyperText Markup Language, or what’s commonly known as HTML was pioneered in 1990 and offered limited flexibility in how elements like headlines, paragraphs, and hyperlinks would appear. CSS would come along in 1996, and give designers more freedom and precision over how what’s onscreen would appear. As HTML and CSS became more fully realized, together they would form a solid foundation, and web design platforms and tools would spring up that would further improve the design process.

Geocities

Image source: One Terabyte of Kilobyteage 

We know. This isn’t pretty. But back in the mid-90’s if you wanted to create a website without any technical background, you’d do it on GeoCities. First launched in 1994 it was known for an aesthetic often full of clashing colors, boxy typography, blinking gifs, and clunky layouts. 

GeoCities welcomed anyone with an idea for a website to the burgeoning and expanding realm of the internet. While lacking drag-and-drop functionality, it provided templates for users to choose from and a visual editor for customization with text, images, MIDI players, and other embellishments. One could even change up the HTML and CSS if they knew what they were doing. GeoCities is in direct lineage to today’s no-code development tools with many also offering ready-made templates that work on the same basis of swapping out elements and customizing to one’s liking.

Dreamweaver

Image source: Web Design Museum.

Introduced in 1997, Dreamweaver combined a drag-and-drop interface for adding elements and laying out a design, with a split-screen that showed the corresponding HTML and CSS. Dreamweaver was a hybrid of low-code no-code technology, combining a WYSIWYG visual editor with HTML and CSS. This interpolation of code and no-code made it a powerful tool for beginners and experts alike.

While early Dreamweaver doesn’t quite fit into the current definition of no-code, its visual UI had a direct influence on today’s no-code development apps.

Differentiating No Code from Traditional Coding

Traditional coding

Traditional web development generally begins with assembling the layout and architecture using HTML. Creating this framework involves setting up divisions, rows, columns, grids,headlines, text, and other features through HTML’s system of tags. Meaningful content is then added within the sections that have been established.

Where HTML provides the guide posts, a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), with its hierarchy of styles, makes it possible to alter the appearance and position of elements. Colors, typography, padding, breakpoints, as well as how some interactive features look and respond can all be controlled via CSS. For advanced interactivity, JavaScript can be used to trigger effects like parallax animations, text fade-ins, and other effects that are initiated by user actions like scrolling or hovering.

No Code development

Visual based design

Image source: tech.eu

Typically, no-code website builders like Vev let people work directly with elements and building blocks that are available on toolbars and/or menus. Instead of coding divisions, columns, rows, grids, and text manually, these elements can be placed on the canvas through a drag-and-drop UI, with customizable CSS.

Responsive Design

In traditional development responsive design means working with CSS and @media query rules in resizing text, line heights, and defining styles for different screen size ranges. This can be a tedious undertaking. Many no-code tools make a design responsive automatically, rather than you having to take on this responsibility on your own. Many also allow flexibility in setting custom breakpoints if needed.

Interactivity

No-code apps take care of the JavaScript that powers interactive effects like multi-layer parallax, scrollytelling images, and other dynamic design features. Apps like Vev give you plenty of opportunities to change parameters like the duration, the type of easing, as well as other variables that control how an animation is triggered, looks, and behaves.

Publishing and Hosting

With the framework, architecture and content ready to go, many no-code apps let you publish websites immediately utilizing their own hosting. Some no-code platforms like Vev even offer options to export the code and use it on third-party hosting services with custom domains.

The Role of No Code Developers

What is a No Code Developer?

Though crankier full-stack devs might raise their eyebrows at the term 'no-code developer,' this is a valid title with a specific skill set. A no-code developer knows one or more no-code web tools at an advanced level as well as as having a foundation in UI, UX, as well as visual design. 

No Code Versus Traditional Developers

While we might want to neatly categorize web designers into those who code and those who don’t, in reality, these divisions aren’t quite as clear-cut. Many traditional designers incorporate no-code development tools into their workflow, and those who begin with no-code often start learning HTML, CSS, and are inspired to go deeper with Javascript after seeing what it can do with the ready-made animations and interactions of no-code apps.

How No Code Development Tools Work

Website Builders

No-code website apps like Vev give users the tools of creation in crafting websites without knowing how to code. Most no-code website apps give users control over designs through a canvas, and a visual UI with easy access to tools, ready-made elements, CSS, animations, and other building blocks for arranging and styling layouts. Many offer templates for those not experienced with visual design. 

Form Builders

Most websites have contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, and other conversion points that collect data inputted by visitors. No-code tools like Hubspot, Typeform, and Mailchimp make it possible to put together forms, which can then be embedded directly into a website. This provides designers with the capability to collect visitor information, without having to hardcode forms into their work.

Middleware/Glue

You might want to do something like integrate a contact form you set up in MailChimp that you want to receive an alert for in a Slack channel when someone submits it, or you want to begin a nurture email campaign that happens once someone signs up for a newsletter. Apps like Zapier and Workato make it possible to set up automations and workflows that can make connections between web apps, APIs, as well as other external apps or other data sources.

How To Work With No Code - best practices

Planning Your Project

Beginning your journey as a no-code developer means knowing what type of web app you’d like to build and what tools will work best to pull it off. Doing a bit of prep work will help make the development process easier.

• Know the primary purpose and goals of the website.
• Identify your audience
• Understand what type of features or conversions you want to include.
• Write a creative brief outlining what needs to go into the design and content.

Executing Ideas With Low Code/No-Code Tools

While no-code web design tools like Vev let you directly create websites, many users are also realizing the power of the platfom to draft design ideas or wireframes, and create mock-ups and living prototypes, all within the same tool in which they can build. Others opt to use an app like Figma for creating static mock-ups, before importing it into a no-code tool like Vev.

This doesn’t have to be a formal undertaking, and it’s okay to even put pen to paper in coming up with how you’re going to lay things out. Having preliminary maps or blueprints of what you envision will mean less trial and error when you’re assembling the elements of a design.

Integrating Advanced Features

Let’s say you want to add something like fancy Lottie Animations, slick three-dimensional Spline graphics, or a Spotify playlist. No code development tools like Vev give you the options to integrate these directly through its user interface, while also letting you tap into other third-party apps through iFrame embedding or by adding custom code.

Benefits of No Code Development

Lowering the Barrier to Entry for Web Development

No code technology is based on visually based systems. It opens up design to anyone with the desire to create, taking them through ideation to launch, without having to touch any lines of code.

While having a grasp of the basics of design, color theory, and typography can benefit those aspiring to build a web app, many no-code tools provide ready-made templates designed to look good right from the start. Templates may only need minimal adjustments, such as adding logos and other branding, along with adding one’s own content. 

Flexibility and Agility in No Code Solutions

No-code development offers a shorter path in building, testing, refining, and launching a web app. Many no-code tools like Vev, eliminate the prototyping step, with what’s being built representing an actual functioning website, rather than a prototype or MVP with limited functionality. 

No-code lowers the stakes for experimenting with different features, design choices, and messaging. Changes can be made, tested, and then further refined with far less effort and time than traditional coding. Making changes directly to code can introduce unforeseen problems or conflicts that may require debugging, which using no code technology helps to avoid.

In terms of flexibility, no-code allows changes to anyone who may need to make them. Marketing or content professionals can switch up the copy to align with current business goals. Designers can go in and tweak the visuals or CSS. Whoever the stakeholder may be, they have autonomy in going into the design and making the appropriate edits — all in one place.

Balancing Customization and Convenience

No code development inspires an open-ended approach to design, offering creative freedom not bound to technical know-how. 

No code development adapts to whatever the specific use case, whether it’s a simple landing page, multimedia scrollytelling piece, annual report, or some other format, no-code platforms provide a wide selection of building blocks and elements that users can put together any way they choose.

Integrating No Code Development into Digital Strategies

Organizations formulate plans and launch campaigns that help them reach their business goals. No-code tools can have a huge role in creating websites and other digital media that can reach customers with marketing messaging, and bringing in the conversions they hope to achieve.

Tips for Businesses and Individuals

Whether you’re putting together a personal website, or are a startup looking to get a website up fast, no-code tells you help you bring your ideas to fruition.

Some recommended best uses of no-code tools include:

• Portfolios
• Product landing pages
• Pillar Pages
• Promotional websites
• Ecommerce stores
• Squeeze pages
• Microsites

"What is no code" FAQ

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