Websites or web apps are no longer needed; they have become necessary for a business to succeed. Generic themes or templates no longer capture the user’s interest and close the doors to attaining the vast potential. To resolve this, custom web development is a cornerstone for a business to maintain a strong visual presence.
Custom development allows a business to incorporate the touch of its brand presence into its web solution. Unlike pre-built themes and templates, you can represent a tailored web presence that is unique and should relate to your business needs. We also know that custom development requires time, effort, and significant investment.
Sometimes, excessive time can leave you standing behind the competition. Adopting new methods like low code in web development can help you ignite the development process. But, one has to be skilled in it, and opting for software development services can help you.
What is Low Code Development?
These are generally the development platforms that offer users an advantage in developing a web solution with less code. It provides visual components that help speed up the development process. This mode is gaining popularity among businesses as it simplifies coding and makes the development process easier and more accessible.
Advantages of Low Code Development
Low-code development offers a range of benefits to a business. It has simplified web development by minimizing poor coding practices and increasing productivity.
- Speed of Development
One key advantage of low-code development is its rapid pace. With pre-built modules and visual development tools, developers can significantly accelerate the creation of web applications, reducing time to market.
- Cost Efficiency
Low code development also offers cost efficiency compared to traditional development methods. By automating repetitive tasks and simplifying the coding process, businesses can save on development costs and allocate resources more effectively.
- Optimum Flexibility
We know that low code development platforms help streamline the web development process, but do you know these also provide optimum flexibility? These platforms provide enough room for a business to develop a web solution based on its brand’s needs. You can hire web developers to customize the solution if the final output doesn’t meet the requirements.
- Improved Decision-Making
It allows quick solution prototyping, as developers do not have to write the code from scratch. The only requirement is to drag and drop the components. Rapid prototyping helps see results faster, allowing them to decide if something is missing or requires changes. This real-time data helps them make changes or modify the web solution based on the client’s requirements, automatically speeding up the development process with improved decision-making.
Cost of Custom Web Development
It is the process of developing a web solution that entirely relates to a business’s requirements. This requires a significant investment of time, effort, and money. The development cost, however, differs based on the type of project a client wants.
- If the requirements of a client are basic, e.g., only required to develop a basic website (a simple portfolio page or a blog) with not that advanced number of features and functionalities. The cost of developing a basic web solution should also relate to your business needs. It should be not less than 2000$.
- Moderate requirements, like eCommerce stores or social media web apps, with some advanced features (personalized checkout page to advanced search functionality) can allow you to invest significantly. Integrating interactive elements by web app development services providers can also increase the development time. It should be at least $5000 to $50000.
- If you are an enterprise looking to develop enterprise-grade web solutions with extensive databases and features. This includes complex systems with feature-rich web solutions like CRMs, CMSs, HRMs, and various others. The development of these web solutions is lengthy. The cost of creating these solutions should be more than $50,000.
How Does Low-Code Development Impact the Cost?
Custom development requires a significant investment of time, cost, and effort of developers. Complexity, design, tech stack, and maintenance are various factors that impact the custom development cost. Sometimes, based on cost or time, a business steps back from opting for web development.
The advent of low-code platforms impacts the cost of web development. These include
- Reduced Development Time
The custom mode of developing a web solution requires a reasonable amount of time to complete. This is because everything is created from scratch, from website themes to custom plugins, which raises the development cost. In contrast, low-code platforms do not require you to code it from scratch. The drag-and-drop functionality of this platform allows faster project execution with the required flexibility to customize.
- Lower Maintenance Costs
You have developed a custom web solution for your business. The amount you have invested is hefty because of the project requirements, but the maintenance charges are becoming a real headache. Custom solutions require timely maintenance to perform smoothly and attract users’ interest. On the other hand, if you have utilized the low-code platforms, the maintenance charges should be comparatively lower. This is because these platforms often have built-in monitoring, debugging, and updating features. It will help a business save on ongoing maintenance expenses over the long run.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of developing a web solution using the low code platform depends mainly on two factors. These are:
- Price per user
The amount you invest in this development mode depends heavily on the number of users using the platform. Simply put, you only have to pay for the accounts that should access it. Ideally, this can be a common practice, but it is cost-effective for a business looking to build multiple web solutions over it.
- Price per web solution
You also have to pay for the number of web solutions you will create on this platform. Now, this complicates things as you already paid for the users’ prices (which means that you should include this, too), but most low-code platforms don’t work like this.
However, what will be the prices as per the business size?
- Individual Usage
You can opt for individual usage if you want to develop wireframes quickly. As low-code platforms allow easier wireframing, you have to choose a monthly plan for around $5 to 35.
- For SMEs
Low-code platforms are, without a doubt, the right tools for a business to create a beta version of its desired web solution. It allows you to build a basic web solution; if required, you can change it the way you want with the help of experts. The cost can fall between $50 to $250/month, depending on the scope of your business.
- For Enterprises
It is clear that SMEs can opt for low-code platforms because they provide the right features and tools, but businesses with large requirements can also take advantage of this approach. It can cost around $60,000 or more per year.
Conclusion
Indeed, custom solutions require high upfront and above-moderate maintenance costs because everything requires code creation from scratch. The advent of low-code platforms has minimized this. Low-code development is a newer approach that has helped various businesses shine. Developing a custom website with these platforms’ power helps create a cost-effective web solution. However, finding the right software development service provider is crucial to help you choose the right platform. They will help you develop a low-code-based web solution for your brand’s needs.