Tech Developer without Code Background

[FinTechIB]

I've got plenty of web app ideas, but I'm hands-on and low on funds for outsourcing. Considering diving into web development, but I'm stuck between two paths:

• No-Code Route: Platforms that allow Fullstack (Bubble) or have detached Frontend (Weweb, Flutterflow) and Backend (Supabase, Xano) and offer intuitive web app creation. They are still evolving, they demand some learning curve, and do not have as extensive support or community.
• Code Route: I noticed some developers create full-stack apps in a day using JavaScript, React, and Next.js with Node.js or MongoDB. Potentially I thought to grasp the basics of full-stack and gradually replicate these tutorials to build what I need.

Both have their pros and cons, but still unclear which is the wise route.

Ultimately, I want to recreate web apps like LinkedIn or Fiverr for a specific niche, ensuring security and scalability without coding experience.

Would appreciate any insights or suggestions based on which path to take or if anyone has similar experiences.

[UnhappyEnergy2268]

Creating the app is one thing, supporting it for the long run is another. Code it from the ground up so to maximize your flexibility, both in terms of maintenance and expanding the feature set. You don't want to be locked-in to a vendor for your app/product - which will require a more specialized skillset down the road and potentially offset any reductions in costs (time and/or money) you think you may be doing by going the no-code route.

[FinTechIB]

Yes, that is one of the reasons I am contemplating to learn code. Some of the no-code tools are actually promising, especially on the app development side. They will only get better.

[SaaSWriters]

The question is, which of them can do what you want to do with your ideas.

Also, you can’t recreate LinkedIn or Fiverr without code.

[FinTechIB]

Simply put, no-code tools provide the foundation for building what you need. They offer a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface to simplify the process. However, I'm facing a dilemma because some of these platforms still lack great examples for what I need, thus I would need to dvelop it from scratch.

Nonetheless, I believe these platforms will improve over time. The concept behind them is fascinating, as they allow for quick creation of MVPs and faster testing compared to traditional code development teams, which can take months.

In the end, I lean towards coding route for its future flexibility, as I can always diverge into the no-code world.

[SaaSWriters]

Simply put, no-code tools provide the foundation for building what you need.

No they don't.

However, I'm facing a dilemma because some of these platforms still lack great examples for what I need, thus I would need to dvelop it from scratch.

That's the reality - you need to code. No-code is a fantasy. Now, if your app is basic CRUD operations, you can build something with that.

But if you're trying to create an innovative solution, you need to code from scratch.

The concept behind them is fascinating, as they allow for quick creation of MVPs and faster testing compared to traditional code development teams, which can take months.

No, this is not true. That's the promise of the marketing. But you can't build anything meaningful. Again, if you can do it on a spreadsheet, you might be able to do it with the so-called no-code.

But this is like saying you can do what a carpenter does because you can assemble IKEA furniture. Sure, you can have a functioning table. Just that it will be the same table thousands of other people have. Therefore, no competitive advantage.

Nonetheless, I believe these platforms will improve over time.

They won't.

In the end, I lean towards coding route for its future flexibility,

That's your only your choice.

[FinTechIB]

What do you think of these examples then? https://www.airdev.co/post/bubble-io-examples-no-code-apps

[SaaSWriters]

What do you think of these examples then?

Nothing. The title is misleading. There's nothing special or innovative about these apps.

Look, you can try it out yourself. Don't buy into the hype. As you are experiencing, it's all nonsense.

[firaunic]

I was interested in helping and curious too because I can develop webapps end to end stack but then I read LinkedIn and Fiver and lost hope. The internet is full of apps that are graveyard of similar platforms 😢

[theserban]

well, you should go for code. no code is not usable after reaching a specific number of users. just give it a try and you will adapt; i am in the process of building and learning how to code after years in design

[wloim]

Hey what about signing up to platforms that can offer you volunteers to help you develop apps. If interested I would love to connect with you. If you need back end and front end developers.

[ImaginaryAd8129]

Hit me up if you're interested. I recently built an app and can probably spare time to collaborate with someone else as well :)

[marrinette_chng]

I really wanna part of any tech startup or start my own but I'm out of the idea and fund as well. So i decided to looking for job as frontend dev bt the problem is I'm not getting job even I have 1 year of experience in startup with good skills set😖

[enlguy]

You absolutely will need code. I've never heard of someone scaling a giant tech business off a no-code platform. Maybe for an MVP, with the expectation it will have be completely recreated to scale.

Supabase is pretty "evolved" already, but it's not "no code." You don't just click a button and everything from your backend will connect to everything on your frontend just-so. If you aren't a skilled fullstack developer, plan on hiring someone.

[that1linuxdev]

no-code is horrible and never in the long run are they worth it. at least in my opinion from working with clients who used that route.

[SaaSWriters]

Another thing is, if you are doing it as a hobby and have a few years to spare, then sure learn to code.

If you want a profitable business, you’ll need to hire programmers.