NoCode allows people to build an application without needing to know how to write code. Using their systems, operations, and user experience (UX) design skills, they can create software that solves user & business problems.
NoCode tools come with building blocks -- like Legos or Minecraft -- which allow users to visually design an interface, structure data, and connect systems.
- User Interface: Drag and drop, WYSIWYG components, buttons. Tools well-known: Webflow, Carrd.
- Database: Tables, column types, relationship entities, visualizations and charting. Well known: Airtable, Coda, Rows, Glide.
- Automation & connecting: If this [this happens] then [to this other thing]. Triggers, automations. Tools well-known here: Zapier, Integromat, Tray.io, IFTTT.
Beyond these 3 foundations of an app, there are specific ways in which you may want your app to work. Purchasing products (Shopify, Stripe, Gumroad), texting (Twilio), forms (Typeform, Tally), email (Mailchimp) are common domain-specific applications to plug in to. As well as full app building platforms like Adalo and Bubble.
Getting into the enterprise space, we shouldn't forget about full Service Operations CRMs like Salesforce which have their own ecosystem of connections and tools. Though when we talk about NoCode, we’re rarely chatting about these tools.
Resources
- Wikipedia article
- NoCode Maker Clubhouse
- r/nocode on Reddit
- Twitter NoCode people or follow #nocode #buildinpublic
- MakerPad
- Producthunt features no tools
- Indiehackers.com
- Visualdev.fm podcast
A good tweet to look at for people mentioned and conversation happening: