No-code: can you launch a SaaS startup without writing code?

Some time ago, while I was bored scrolling through my LinkedIn timeline, among proud posts from companies that had just discovered remote working and yet another job posting for a Java developer, I noticed a buzzword gaining traction with force: “no-code.”

No-code and low-code platforms are being talked about more and more often (with or without a clue) and unfortunately, all this noise often leads to generalizations.

We are now facing a world full of innovative solutions, promising to help you develop web and mobile applications in no time, without technical skills, advertising the opportunity to launch successful startups without too much investment in development costs. But is this really possible?

We at Startup Bakery are aware that technological evolutions are gradually automating jobs, including some software development activities. Can we therefore do without a development team in a startup?

Let’s analyze this no-code trend in more detail and the potential of such tools.

Not all code is what compiles

I have been writing code for about 20 years, I have lived through harrowing development experiences marked by unspeakable suffering, like that time in 2010 when it crossed my mind to develop an app for the iPad in Objective-C.

I welcomed platforms like WordPress (which I perhaps consider the first example of no-code), Shopify, or, to stray from the web world, Apache NiFi, with which it is possible to launch and manage data ingestion or ETL platforms without writing code. All this to say that any tool that can facilitate, without necessarily replacing, the work of a developer is always well-received and certainly appreciated by professionals in the field.

However, it is appropriate to clarify, because now any tool with a minimum graphical interface and a pinch of automation is included among the software in the no-code world.

Wikipedia defines “no-code development platforms” as those tools that allow developers and non-developers to create software applications through graphical interfaces and configurations rather than through traditional programming.

The current landscape of no-code tools is becoming increasingly vast and consists of nothing short of astonishing tools: Bubble, Adalo, Webflow, Editor X, Retool… are some of the most well-known and widely used platforms by the no-coders community.

Venture Capitalists also view this trend positively, just look at the millionaire investments that the aforementioned companies have raised. Bubble raised $6.3M in 2019, Retool $75M between 2019 and 2020, while Webflow – listen, listen – totaled $214.9M in investments, of which $140M in a Series B round in January 2021 (data source: Crunchbase). Okay, we are aware of the California VC logics, which are not easily applicable to a context like the Italian one, but certainly these capital polarizations should not be underestimated.

No-code and startup studio

So, hold on! Are we really entering an era where the contribution of developers will be required less and less? Is it possible to launch product startups quickly without vertical technological skills? But above all, can a startup studio launch 7 startups in 7 months thanks to these tools?

Our answer is no (particularly to the last question). At Startup Bakery, we believe that the value of all these technologies lies mainly in the facilitation of processes. We do not believe that the SaaS products of our startups can be realized and brought to market purely relying on no-code tools.

Obviously, it is essential not to waste time implementing what already exists, so we use an approach in our software that promotes the use of frameworks, components, and all good that is available to reduce time to market.

This approach allows developers to focus on higher value-added aspects.

Our goal is to create quality SaaS software, with high technological added value, artificial intelligence (done seriously) and with particular attention to User Experience. The industrial partner that acquires the companies produced by our startup studio must purchase first and foremost the technology.

The democratization of development?

It is often said that no-code platforms are tools that democratize development. In other words, software that allows anyone to create web and mobile applications, websites, or APIs.

Unfortunately, I do not believe at all that it is that simple.

I see many tools that can provide great support to those who write code for a living, allowing for the development of applications or parts of software that have now become commodities in more or less rapid times. Let’s take, for example, a simple web application to manage normal CRUD operations (create, read, update, delete) on defined entities in a database. With Retool, you can do it in a flash (provided the APIs have been prepared adequately).

As simple, intuitive, and versatile as these platforms may be, I find a basic technical knowledge indispensable, even just to understand the terminology used. I find it hard to imagine the Marketing Manager of a company who, between meetings, opens Bubble and develops the new app for monitoring campaigns on his own, integrating with the Google Ads and Facebook APIs. I’m sorry, but it’s more complex than some may want to lead you to believe.

Let’s make a fitting example: WordPress. A software that many know. On the official site, it is indeed written “Create the website of your dreams. No code, no manual, no limits.” Good… and yet there are many website development agencies for WordPress in Italy and around the world.

In the same way, numerous consulting agencies are being created to offer services related to the no-code world.

Conclusion: we will always be on the lookout for valid developers for our startups 😉

PS: If you are a developer and want to apply, write to us here.