It's not no-code unless it feels like LEGO

If a tool comes out that claims to be no-code but it doesn't feel like LEGO bricks, I don't consider it no-code. Much like LEGO, the spirit of no-code is to empower builders.

If a tool comes out that claims to be no-code but it doesn't feel like LEGO bricks, I don't consider it no-code. A tool that only gives me the option to change colors, text, and move components around is like giving me a plain toy car with a box of paints and different wheel choices and then telling me it's LEGO.

no-code LEGO

Let me explain how no-code should feel like LEGO.

Much like LEGO, the spirit of no-code is to empower builders. Here are characteristics of both LEGO and no-code tools:

  • The possibilities feel endless
  • The building blocks come in small pieces that don't mean much in isolation
  • Templates or instructions are resources, not requirements
  • You don't manufacture the blocks themselves (no coding necessary)

It's helpful to be able to distinguish no-code tools from everything else so that you know where to spend your time learning. I want to input my time into tools that provide the most potential output. Tools that aren't no-code have limited output.

Coding | No-code---------------------------Other tools

Flexible output------------------------------Specific Output

I like to sit as close as possible to the pipe to the right of coding.

If you aren't trying to increase the range of things you can build, no-code may not be for you. If you are just looking for things you can use, there are plenty of tools out there. HubSpot, for instance, has a huge set of tools. Each tool has a specific output that you can use.

I hope you are better equipped to identify no-code tools and decide which tools to invest your time into. It's always best to ask if a tool is worth exploring from members in the no-code community.

Happy learning,

Bryce

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