The opportunities for businesses and indeed private individuals to create high quality apps have increased dramatically In recent years. The global pandemic further escalated the importance of the online environment and focused skilled and creative minds on enhancing the benefits it offers.

Microsoft defines low-code app development as follows: “Specifically, it’s a method of software and application development that allows your workers to create enterprise-grade business apps using drag-and-drop functionality and visual guidance—with very little or no coding experience or knowledge.

“The appeal of this approach is that almost anyone can develop an app. Citizen developers—employees in your organization who don’t necessarily have technical or programming expertise—can quickly and efficiently build applications on low-code platforms.”

However, Microsoft does go on to clarify the point about the level of programming expertise that would be required for higher grades of low-code app development:

“With low-code platforms, developers need at least a basic understanding of programming, while no-code platforms take a drag-and-drop approach and don’t require any coding knowledge. No code is ideal for building smaller apps, and its capabilities can be limited. Low code, on the other hand, tends to allow developers to create more sophisticated apps.”

Then there is of course the question, particularly relevant for smaller businesses without large IT departments, of whether the in-house development of apps may not be a distraction from core business activities. In these cases, gaining the outsourced support of a company offering mobile app development services could be an ideal solution.

Low-code platforms assessed

The widely-followed softwaretestinghelp.com website has produced a comprehensive post titled “10 best Low-Code Development Platforms in 2022” which shows the wide range of solutions available, the varying range of prices and the main features of each. As well as its chosen top ten platforms, the article also covers other contenders in the plethora of available options.

These are the verdicts given by softwaretestinghelp.com on their selected ten best Low-Code app development platforms

1. Visual LANSA will allow professional developers to create applications much quicker than traditional coding and with an amount of control much higher than usually seen in low-code platforms.
2. Retool is ideal for building internal applications and speeding up the time for development.
3. Quixy is a completely visual and easy-to-use No-Code Application Development platform. Businesses can automate processes across departments using Quixy. It will help you to build simple to complex custom enterprise application faster and with lower costs without writing any code.
4. Creatio provides handy graphics and dashboards. Your routine operations will get accelerated with the use of this tool. It will help you to manage various types of cases and regulate timelines.
5. GeneXus provides a unique platform that captures the needs of users and generates applications for present and future technologies, without the need of learning each new technology. Allows pragmatic developers to evolve quickly, responding to market and technological changes in an agile way.
6. Zoho Creator provides the low-code application development platform to build enterprise applications. It involves building applications with minimal coding which drastically reduces app-development time and effort.
7. Web.com offers you a bunch of intuitive tools to create basic sites from scratch. Working with its editors and template library is as easy as a walk in the park. If you find yourself overwhelmed with the site creation process, you can always approach one of Web.com’s experts for help.
8. Appian is the provider of the software development platform. The Appian low code development platform is a combination of intelligent automation and low-code development.
9. KISSFLOW (BPM & workflow software) provides the cloud-based solution which can be used by businesses of any size and from any industry.
10. Mendix is a rapid application development platform with offline working capabilities. It is easy to adopt and is perfect for anyone.

Of course, this ten best platforms selection can, and probably will, be argued about. For instance, it is surprising that Microsoft PowerApps falls just out of the top rankings, even though those making the assessment concede that “PowerApps is a powerful tool for building apps with a little complex UI. It is rich in features. It has features like cloud-based services integration, Workflow automation, App sharing, App running, etc.”

Nevertheless, it does provide some useful indicators of what’s available and the prices being asked.

Sourcing professional mobile app development services

Microsoft lists a number of benefits such as flexibility and competitive costs that can be offered by the in-house development of business apps. However, it does warn that low-code application development is not without its challenges, such as: “While low code doesn’t require a lot of manual coding, your IT teams aren’t completely off the hook—they still must make themselves available to guide both citizen and professional developers along the way.

Low-code development can also make it harder for your company to see what your employees are building, which can create security issues. With on-premises low-code platforms, it’s often difficult for IT to have any visibility into development projects.”

As mentioned earlier, for many businesses, particularly SMEs without large IT departments, may find that app development may divert from their core business activities. Indeed, while apps can be exceptionally useful for businesses, they should not eclipse other strategies for engagement with target audiences, such as marketing on social media or gaining prominence on search engine pages through PPC advertising and organic SEO.

Moreover, there is the second point that Microsoft mentions about management control, which we would suggest is particularly important at a time when home working or hybrid off/on premises is becoming more a feature of business life.

So 97 Technologies would advise seeking the support of a professional mobile app development services company. But why and what should you look for?

The Reasons Why

• As the post by softwaretestinghelp.com indicates, there is a very wide range of options of low-code platforms out there. Some are available at very competitive costs, but the cheapest, or indeed the most expensive, may not be right for the demands and objectives of your business. Experienced professionals can help you make the right choice.
• An app should be regarded as a strategic marketing instrument, not as an end in itself. App developers with marketing experience can assist you with how apps should be tailored to dovetail into your marketing programmes and the many ways in which you can promote your products and policies.
• With the best will in the world, in-house app developers will need the confidence to develop and alter the apps they create. Vendors of low-code development applications offer varying levels of support and are located worldwide. An app development company, UK based and well versed in the requirements of different UK business sectors, can provide invaluable assistance.

How We can Help

97 Technologies fulfils all the criteria mentioned above, plus a great deal more. We have the marketing and technical skills and experience to guide your business in selecting and acquiring the best low-code app development platform for your business and will offer the after-sales support your company and its employees may require.

We are UK-based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and will be committed to the success of your app development strategy through close consultation with your management, employees and stakeholders. Please contact us to see how we can deliver on our promises!