You could be in a situation where you want to launch with your fresh new brand identity, or you’re just done with how the current website is being managed and are thinking about launching a new marketing website. This comes along with a lot of doubts and questions. Are you going to outsource the work or are you keeping it in-house? What are the costs of a marketing website? What do we want to do better this time? But in a time where there’s tooling for everything you also might come across the question if you need to build your next website in a no-code tool, or build it with custom code? In this article we will try to give you some answers on exactly that question.
What is no-code?
I think you’re already familiar with “no-code” but to make things more clear we first need to define what “no-code” exactly means. It’s a development approach that allows you to build automations, websites or even applications without writing a single line of code. Using an interface, drag and drop tools and pre-configured templates, these platforms enable non-technical users to create digital products. Maybe you’ve already heard of platforms like; Webflow, Shopify, Framer, Zapier, Squarespace and Wix?
What are the advantages of a no-code website?
No-code tools are a game-changer for individuals and businesses looking to launch a website quickly and affordably. Think about speed; no-code platforms enable you to get your website live in a matter of days or weeks rather than months. Depending on the scope, it could also be very cost-effective. With no or limited need of an in-depth design or development expert you save significantly on costs upfront. You could also scale your website for simple needs with integrations like marketing and analytics tools and simple e-commerce features. However, like almost every tool, these benefits come with limitations.
What are the downsides of a no-code website?
There’s no tool that “does it all”. That also means no-code tools come with downsides. To list a few:
You’re bound by the platform’s design and feature constraints. Some tools do give you the freedom to make additions by code, but that defeats the purpose of no-code.
When building your no-code website gets out of hand in terms of animations or large features it could suffer from slower load times compared to custom coded websites.
When your business is growing, so does your website. By adding new features or integrations that do not exist in the platform's ecosystem, you might bump into various scalability challenges. For example, allowing your users to authenticate themselves with your platform's authentication tool might not be supported by no code tools.
Your website’s code is fully owned by the platform you’re using, making migrations difficult. You’re kind of locked-in in their ecosystem which gives you limited freedom. That also means the more your business grows, the more templates, pages and storage you’ll need, and most likely, the more it will cost.
While these tools might look very easy-to-use, most of them have a learning curve to be able to manage features or add interactions on your website.
Can you update a no-code website yourself?
Absolutely! One of the main selling points of no-code tools is their user-friendliness. Adding blog posts, updating images, or tweaking text is usually straightforward. Tools like Webflow and Framer even allow for basic CMS functionalities, enabling marketeers and other non-developers to manage content efficiently. In many cases you don’t need a developer, however if you want your website to use complex logic like dynamic filtering for blogs, you might need some guidance or tutorials.
Popular no-code website tools: is there an industry standard?
As mentioned, every tool comes with its downsides and advantages. Besides that, many of these tools serve a specific niche, so pick one that aligns with your goals:
Webflow and Framer: Advanced design and CMS capabilities
Wix and Squarespace: Perfect for simple websites and beginners
Shopify: The go-to for e-commerce
What are the advantages of custom code?
On the other end of the spectrum there’s custom code, which as the name suggests, means code written for the specific occasion of your wants and needs. Opting for custom code provides unlimited versatility, empowering you to implement features and functionality beyond the capabilities of no-code platforms. You gain and retain full control over every element of your site, from where your data is hosted to every design detail. It allows you to build solutions that align perfectly with your specific requirements. In short, there’s no limit!
What are the downsides of custom code?
As you know, every solution has its strengths and weaknesses, custom code is no exception.
Hiring developers and designers can be significantly more expensive than using no-code tools.
Depending on the scope, building your new website from scratch with custom code can take much longer. You can launch your no-code website within 2 to 4 weeks while a custom coded website could take 2 to 6 months (depending on its complexity).
While software needs updates, your website needs occasional love too. These updates require a developer most of the time.
Understanding a code base can be quite challenging for non-technical people which makes you dependent on an expert.
What should you choose?
Maybe you might already have a good idea of what to choose for your use case. If you haven’t, here are some practical tips/questions you want to answer before making your decision:
What’s your time frame? Need it to go live in weeks? Go no-code. Months? Custom code might be it.
What’s your budget? No-code is cost effective, whilst custom code is a long term investment.
Do you need scalability? For rapid growth or complex integrations custom code definitely wins.
How long will you use it? Is it a temporary solution? No-code shines. Long term and robust? Custom code.
If you don’t know how to answer these questions, have a chat with us. We will help you to find what fits you best.
Conclusion
Creating a marketing website requires evaluating the benefits of no-code and custom coded solutions. While no-code platforms can deliver quick and cost-effective results for simpler and relatively small projects, custom code unlocks the freedom to develop highly scalable and tailored solutions for more complex needs. By considering these options, you can align your website strategy with your objectives. Need assistance crafting your next marketing website and choosing the solution? We’re definitely here to help!
