Are no-code website builders good? No-code explained
I recently gave a webinar discussing how no-code websites are disrupting the website landscape as we know it. In this article I’ll take you through what I discussed, focusing on what we can expect from the no-code revolution in 2023 and beyond…
Traditionally, building a website or undertaking an overhaul of a current site was a mammoth task and often one that was pushed to the back of agendas due to the overwhelming nature of website building.
In today’s online world however, that just doesn’t have to be the case. Why? Because of the rise of no-code platforms. You no longer need to be a coding whizz kid to be able to make simple changes to your website, or even to build a website from scratch.
Who would believe it? Certainly not the website builders from decades ago. But we’re entering a new era of website building and it’s never been a more exciting time to get to grips with no-code.
Watch the video
Check out the Webinar replay below 👇
What is No-Code?
First things first, you need to understand what no-code actually is. It’s pretty self-explanatory though.
No-code “allows programmers and non-programmers to create software through graphical interfaces and configuration instead of traditional computer programming”.
Basically, it allows anyone to create and edit software, in this case a website, visually rather than having to know and use streams and streams of code.
No-code is growing fast, but it might come as some surprise to know that it’s already all around us online. Facebook, Instagram and Google Slides are all classed as no-code platforms.
Taking content from one device and publishing it online, like when you take a photo from your camera roll and upload it to Instagram, is an action that requires extensive and complex code. But we as users don’t see any of that. For us, uploading to Instagram is a no-code action.
Building no-code websites works in a similar way. The code is still there, the user just doesn’t see or need to know what it means.
The No-Code Revolution
The no-code revolution isn’t on its way. It’s already here.
No-code is taking over various aspects of our connected life, just like AI. We’ve all heard the chat about AI recently (you’d have to have been living under a rock to have missed the launch of Chat GPT) but the reality is we’ve been using AI for years already.
Siri on our iPhones, our Amazon Alexas, even the predictive text feature on Gmail…they’re all examples of AI.
And no-code is taking over our lives in just the same way.
We live in the age of web tool democratisation. Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, Webflow, OK they might all technically be competitors but more than that, they’re actually working in tandem to help make web development accessible to all, no matter your experience level.
No-code is allowing us all to build the internet. That’s right, all of us, not just web developers. When you create a Canva PDF, build a work presentation on Google Slides or upload to your Instagram Stories, you’re adding to the internet. Thanks to no-code, we’re already all web builders without even realising it.
No-code isn’t about taking the jobs of web developers. There will always be a need for intricate and bespoke websites that take years to build and require the expertise of professional web developers and coding experts.
Think about it like this. Home kitchen appliances are snazzier than ever and many people love nothing more than rustling up a new recipe in the kitchen. Does that mean people have stopped going to restaurants for a professionally cooked meal? Of course not. There is room for both to co-exist.
And that’s the same for websites. No-code is opening up the world of web development for everyone but web developers will still be in business, in fact demand for them is only growing.
The Web Design Landscape
The web design landscape continues to evolve and in recent years we’ve seen some major changes that have paved the way for the growth of no-code website platforms.
Jargon
Web design jargon is becoming a thing of the past. Once upon a time you couldn’t talk about building a website without mentioning javascript queries or CSS frameworks. Terminology that for many people was off-putting and confusing.
Nowadays, visual-centric website builders allow developers to break down the web design process to clients without needing to bombard them with confusing jargon and phrases that sound like they belong in a Star Trek script.
Accessibility
We all know that building accessible websites is key to our online future but I’m not just talking about being accessible to the end users. Nowadays, websites are accessible to everyone, including the people building them.
You no longer need to have an encyclopaedia of code stored in your brain to go online and make tweaks to your website. Building and editing websites is now a far more accessible task than we could have ever imagined a decade ago.
Trends
Trends are constantly changing. It’s what they do. And website trends are no different. What may have been the height of sophistication a few years ago can look dated and unprofessional today. The great thing about no-code websites is that making updates is simple. If something is going out of style, you can change it without having to hire a developer for a five minute task.
And of course, no-code is a trend itself. But not one that is going to fade into obscurity in a few years. If trends come and go but style is universal, then be sure that no-code is never going out of style.
Why I’m a No-Code Evangelist
I will rave about no-code until the cows come home. But that doesn’t mean I’m against using code to build websites. In fact, in almost every Squarespace website I build, I take a hybrid approach.
This means that I use a no-code platform (Squarespace) and utilise its many fantastic features whilst also using code to customise certain aspects in order to create a truly bespoke and high-performing website for clients.
When I first started building websites using Squarespace, I used its drag and drop builder exclusively, with no code required.
Over time however, I began to realise that in order to achieve the best results, combining no-code with some code (a process known as low-code) was the way forward.
It’s the perfect middle ground, pairing the best bits of no-code such as the ease of use and how efficient it is at making changes, with lines of custom code that allow me to create the exact end goal clients are looking for.
This hybrid approach provides design freedom, bespoke functionality, ease-of-use and shorter timeframes to complete a website build. Everyone’s a winner.
You can take a look at some of my recent projects to see the results of this exact hybrid approach:
It’s not just the visual design capabilities that make me such a no-code evangelist. Some no-code builders can totally overhaul and streamline your organisation's processes too.
For example Squarespace, my no-code platform of choice, gives you the chance to not only build your website but also to register your domain, manage your hosting, set up email marketing campaigns, view advanced analytics, have airtight security as standard and SEO-optimise landing pages, all from one dashboard.
It almost sounds too good to be true. But trust me, it’s not. The no-code platforms are there and the revolution is underway, you just need to embrace it.
Not only this but most no-code platforms, Squarespace included, offer users a free trial. This gives you the chance to literally try before you buy and test out no-code to see if it’s for you before you commit financially.
Speaking of finances…
How much does a no-code website cost?
Look, there will always be a time and a place for websites that cost 6 or even 7 figures. For some companies, that's a non-negotiable. Take brands such as Apple, Amazon or The New York Times for example. I can hazard a guess that their web requirements and upkeep needs result in million pound websites.
For most of us though, there’s just no need (or desire) to be paying those sums.
Most businesses have two key goals for their website. To present information to users in an engaging and aesthetic way and to convert idle visitors into active users.
To give you a broad idea of how the cost of no-code websites compares to a complete custom build, I’ve put together this cost comparison.
Custom Build
Price Range - Up to £200,000
No-code Website
Price Range - Up to £200 - £25,000
Yes, a no-code website really can cost as little as £200. Why? Because technically you can do this yourself meaning the only cost would be your time, your domain fee and your annual hosting fees.
An all singing, all dancing custom website however, built from scratch using advanced custom code, can set you back as much as a couple of hundred thousand pounds. Seriously.
Of course, there are both cheaper and more expensive versions of both no-code and custom builds, but this gives you an idea of the stark price difference between the two.
A Note on WordPress
A common question I get asked when I talk about no-code platforms is, is WordPress no-code?
The simple answer is yes. Originally, WordPress was created as a platform for bloggers to publish their writing online. Nowadays, some of the world’s biggest websites are built on WordPress.
If you’re looking for a drag and drop builder, WordPress can absolutely be used thanks to its extensive number of no-code plugins.
This should give you an idea of the scalability for no-code websites. It’s not just an option for small scale businesses and sites, it can be used on massive websites that attract serious traffic numbers.
I do have to be honest though, WordPress isn’t my first choice for a no-code platform, which will come as no surprise seeing as I specialise in Squarespace.
The reality is however that using WordPress as a no-code builder requires a lot of moving parts that can be prone to breaking. You need to regularly update plugins and many businesses find they have to pay an IT expert a monthly retainer just to keep on top of maintenance.
With other no-code builders this just isn’t the case. There’s no need for any kind of maintenance retainer because basically, there’s no maintenance to undertake. Updates are rolled out automatically and the platforms themselves pay engineers to keep everything running smoothly.
Best no-code website builders
No-code platform options are endless. No, seriously. I genuinely can’t tell you how many no-code platforms there are because a new one pops up, what seems like, every 10 minutes.
This is both a blessing and a curse. Whilst the amount of competition in the no-code arena means platforms are constantly innovating and finding new ways to be the best, so much choice can often leave us overwhelmed and no closer to making a decision.
For me though, there are four no-code platforms that are seriously worth your time. In no particular order they are:
WordPress, as I’ve already mentioned, has great no-code capabilities and potential.
Squarespace, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a favourite. It’s this. Squarespace is my go-to.
WIX, offering a similar backend setup to Squarespace with an excellent drag and drop builder.
Webflow, a no-code platform that requires a steep learning curve and training, but once you’ve got the hang of it can provide amazing results.
With each of these platforms, users need no coding experience to build websites. Gone are the days when web developers were wizards in disguise…
After understanding the power and potential of no-code platforms, explore a curated collection of no-code resources tailored for foundations and non-profits.
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You No Longer Need to be a Wizard
Building your own website sounds like a daunting task. In fact, scrap that, for many people it sounds like an impossible task. And even as recently as five years ago, it was.
For most organisations there were two options when it came to building a website. Either buying an off the shelf template and uploading your own images and text or hiring a developer to create you a site from scratch.
Let’s be clear here, there is nothing wrong with hiring a web designer to build your website for you. In fact, I recommend it. But what no-code website builds do is allow you to grasp the process of the build, giving you the opportunity and confidence to have more input at every stage.
No-code platforms mean that not only can everyone access them, everyone can actually use them too. Even the least tech-savvy amongst us can get to grips with them with a little bit of practice.
No-Code Resources
Alongside your chosen no-code website builder, there are plenty of other no-code resources online that can revolutionise your online presence and change the way you build sites for you and your clients.
My must-have no-code resources include:
Canva - This no-code design tool gives you the chance to create your own assets, design logos, put together presentation slides and edit images.
G-Suite - Google’s suite of tools including Gmail, Google Docs and Sheets, Google Meet and Google Calendar.
Descript - If you’re creating videos Descript cuts down editing time with functions such as studio sound quality and transcript creation.
Unfold - A great design app that allows you to create uniform and on brand content for online channels.
YouTube - The best and most accessible place to host your videos online.
All of these resources include a “freemium” model, meaning you can access around 80% of their features without needing to pay a subscription fee.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, quite literally everything there is to know about no-code website builders and why they’re taking over the online world in front of our eyes.
As you’ve hopefully realised, building a website is no longer for an exclusive club of coding experts who charge extortionate fees for their services.
In today’s online age, anyone can be a web designer. If you have the ideas, no-code can turn them into a reality for you.
If I’ve inspired you to learn more about no-code and how to get started, make sure you check out my extensive suite of Squarespace resources here.
Your designer
I'm Sam, an award-winning Squarespace web designer. I have worked with every type of business, building platforms for solo entrepreneurs through to multi-million dollar corporations. If you want to discuss a potential project, you can email on sam@bycrawford.com or get in touch with me here. Alternatively, you can book in a free 15-minute consultation call here.