No-Code Web Design: All You Need To Know

Posted on 24th August 2023

No-code web design presents a massive opportunity for UK companies to accelerate growth, boost productivity, and gain competitive advantage. By adopting no-code solutions, businesses can develop and iterate on websites rapidly without technical bottlenecks, enabling quicker responses to market changes.

According to research, the global no-code platform market is expected to reach a valuation of $187 billion by 2030. By 2024, 65% of apps and sites will be developed using low-code or no-code platforms.

CEOs who embrace no-code early, will be best positioned to capitalise on this trend and stay ahead of competitors. More importantly, no-code can streamline operations, empower teams, and unlock innovation – key priorities for any CEO.

What exactly is no-code web design?

No-code web design replaces traditional hand-coding with an easy drag-and-drop interface. This enables rapid experimentation and agile responses to shifting customer needs. Both no-code web design and development tools have exploded in popularity in recent years, enabling non-technical users to build strong, professional websites without writing a single line of code.

What’s more, as artificial intelligence and automation continue to advance, no-code web development platforms are set to expand even further, creating even more opportunities for businesses. No-code solutions can provide an easy way to get started, and with technology set to continually advance, it’s likely that platforms will soon be able to offer far more than you initially thought. This technology will only continue to advance and change the way we approach and build websites for years to come.

What is the future of no-code web design?

In the imminent future, as the world becomes more reliant on artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate more manual tasks, it’s fair to say that web design will also see further evolution. It’s not unreasonable to foresee AI tools generating custom components, designs, and content on demand, if generative AI is anything to go by. Already, many people are using tools to generate images and content at scale, so much so that they’re selling or trading high-quality equipment and resources in favour of AI.

Over time, it’s expected that no-code platforms will offer more functionalities and features, allowing users to build websites and applications that can rival those created with hard coding. Special no-code tools for eCommerce websites, interactive sites, video content, and much more will grow in availability and also provide bespoke functions for specific businesses.

Therefore, any business owner looking to the future should seriously consider a no-code solution. While they can provide an easy way to get started, it’s likely that platforms will soon be able to offer far more than you initially thought, and will change the way we approach and build websites for years to come.

Key features of no-code design

Simply put, no-code development is a method of website building that uses a graphical user interface instead of writing lines of code manually.

Popular no-code platforms like Airtable and Zapier provide a variety of templates, elements and functionalities that you can integrate with a site without having to manually configure and test them. Platforms like this would deploy all the relevant HTML, CSS and JavaScript code (as well as that of any other scripting language) in the background, so you can focus on visual elements like the design, branding, identity and imagery.

No-code web design differs from traditional web development in several key ways:

Drag-and-drop features: Users can add elements like top-level menus, accordion panels, photo galleries, product listings, sliders, and many other features with the click of a button, or by dragging it from a library of pre-built elements. This saves you from writing complex lines of HTML code and marrying each element with relevant CSS each time.

Pre-built components and templates: No-code platforms provide elements that have been built already, as well as dedicated sections and templates to use, freeing you from the task of designing individual pages from scratch.

Responsive mobile design: Sites that have been built in no-code content management systems (CMSs) are automatically built with mobile responsive features, meaning that you don’t have to create separate mobile versions of pages or use separate domains.

Integrations and add-ons: Many no-code website design tools offer the ability to integrate with plenty of other third-party solutions, plugins, applications and services. These range from eCommerce stores, analytics software, CRM systems, mobile phone applications, and many more, through APIs, which you can integrate more easily than custom coding.

No-code design advantages

There are plenty of no-code tools and platforms that cater to unique business needs, and simultaneously break a common barrier that many face when coding and designing sites.

Some of the main benefits of no-code web design include:

Speed and efficiency

Websites can be deployed more quickly. Creation and changes to their design, features, and integrations can happen rapidly without having to change hand-written code.

Cost-effective

No-code tools can significantly reduce the costs associated with large-scale web development changes. This allows businesses to reallocate budgets towards other high-impact areas.

Breaks down web design barriers

The concept of web design is opened up to more non-technical business owners. Features of web design can be explored without learning code, which can take several weeks or months to master.

Professional aesthetics

Plenty of no-code platforms provide the opportunity to create professional, stylish websites, with high-quality components and elements enhancing a brand’s identity. This can all be done without having to code in numerous different programming languages and ensure it’s correct down to the character.

Responsiveness

Sites built in no-code solutions are automatically optimised to respond on any device – and often load quickly – whether it’s desktops, laptops, tablets or mobile phones. This user-friendly facility gives complete peace of mind, and also accomplishes an important Google ranking factor – Core Web Vitals.

Integrations

Many no-code tools integrate seamlessly with third-party applications and software, meaning that business owners avoid the problem of ‘vendor lock-in’, can manage their valuable budget more effectively and keep expenses more centralised.

SEO-friendly

Many platforms have built-in SEO plugins and tools to help sites rank in search engines. This facilitates easily changing URL slugs, Page Titles, meta descriptions, alt text, and page content with complete control and in real-time, without having to manually change each element in an HTML file and wait for the page to manually load.

Future-proofing skills

No-code tools break down barriers to web design and make it more accessible. It doesn’t nullify the need for coding skills entirely, but it helps build a solid foundation and offers the ability to learn valuable web design skills, concepts and terminology. This hybrid approach will mean being able to adapt more easily as technology changes.

Challenges of no-code web design

While there is no doubt that no-code web design has significant benefits, there are some challenges to be aware of:

It has limitations

While no-code site platforms provide more flexibility, they may lack advanced functionality for large or complex sites. For instance, eCommerce brands may struggle to accommodate thousands of products on a basic template site and thus may face constraints with integrations, layouts, load speed and custom features.

Some platforms are exclusive

Building a website on a specific no-code platform may tie you exclusively to that solution for a set period. Should you want to switch tools, change plugins, or export your site, your provider may prohibit you from doing so. Therefore, it’s worth choosing your provider carefully to ensure they give you sufficient control and portability.

Recurring fees

Most no-code platforms charge based on a monthly subscription model, and fees can vary depending on your requirements. Some providers incorporate costs associated with hosting, managed updates, security and SSL certification, but others do not. No-code may easily offset the costs of developers/agencies, but it’s worth examining your subscription costs closely and ensuring you can fulfill them.

As clearly shown, no-code web design tools provide many benefits like speed, cost savings, and accessibility for non-technical users. However, limitations around advanced functionality and vendor lock-in need to be considered. As the technology continues advancing, it has huge potential to transform web design in the future. While coding skills remain valuable, no-code is a viable option that can make website building easier. With the right no-code platform, businesses can create professional sites, focus on visual design, and adapt more readily as this technology evolves.