Regardless of whether you are an established company or a start-up, switching to e-commerce is always associated with certain hurdles and obstacles. Low-code tools can be used to minimize these obstacles. We will introduce you to the three best e-commerce platforms of 2022 and explain the focal points and options of the various platforms. This is because the low-code approach alone is not enough to meet the high requirements of the various industries.
The low-code approach: That's what this principle is about
that Low-code principle is a modern solution that aims to enable people without programming knowledge to create websites and web apps. Depending on the platform selected, it can offer significant differences in the range of services and the platforms' capabilities. The low-code approach also means that users can still manually intervene in the code, for example to integrate special functions. As a rule, the platforms provide various interfaces and options for this purpose. However, these are not necessary for the pure operation of the platforms. The low-code approach is suitable both for established companies and for startups without their own IT sector and specializing in web apps. This is because they can ensure a quick and efficient entry into e-commerce via the platforms with the best cost-benefit factor.
Comparing the top three low-code platforms
The share of low-code platforms on the market has grown significantly in recent years. This is partly due to the fact that the barriers to entry with low-code tools are particularly low and that they also open up completely new worlds for non-programmers. However, the low-code approach can include a very wide range of options and options. From highly specialized low-code offers, which are only suitable for specific areas of application, to the egg-laying woolly milk sow, which can cover almost all industries and areas of work using a low-code model. We have decided to present the three - in our opinion - best low-code tools on the market for you. In 2022, the three best and most powerful low-code tools are Webflow, Bubble.io, and Shopify. We would be happy to present all three offers to you in more detail and show you where the strengths and weaknesses of the individual solutions lie and for which industries you can use them.
Webflow overview
Webflow is practically a website builder with an enormous range of functions. Even though it is generally possible to design a simple website with little effort, Webflow offers many more options. Regardless of whether a complete content management system is being created or a web shop is planned, Webflow allows you to meet all your needs with the low-code approach. However, it must be said that Webflow is a steep learning curve has. A basic understanding of the structure and structure of websites should definitely be available in order to benefit from Webflow in the long term.
Areas of application and application areas of the low-code platform
Due to its very high level of flexibility, Webflow is actually ideally suited for almost all areas of application. However, it is also necessary to add that there are more specialized solutions in some areas, which are easier to learn and therefore to use. In particular, the steep learning curve and the associated skills and understanding in the area of programming are therefore an obstacle to getting started with the software. Anyone who has no idea about programming processes and building websites and web apps will find it difficult to achieve the desired results even with Webflow. However, if you know your way around, you can use the kit to build virtually any page of your choice.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
The benefits:
- Powerful tool for websites, CMS and e-commerce
- There are no practical restrictions
- Your own learning platform for beginners
- Lots of templates and plugins
The drawbacks:
- Currently only available in English
- Very steep learning curve
- Programming skills are an advantage
Professional support remains crucial
The huge range of functions and the extremely steep learning curve make it almost essential that you contact a Webflow specialist if you want to use this low-code solution. This only sounds absurd at first glance. Because with a Webflow expert at your side, you can achieve the results you want faster and easier. It is also significantly less expensive than programming a page straight out of thin air. Using guidelines and templates, you can present exactly what the result should look like and the agency at your side will help you implement it. As a result, results are achieved faster and you can therefore win new customers faster with your e-commerce. That's why professional support with a tool like Webflow is definitely a good idea.
Bubble.io overview
Similar to Webflow, Bubble.io is a low-code tool that can be used to program not only websites but also web apps. The basis for Bubble.io is also a simple “What you see is what you get” editor. This means that the website or app can be created using a graphical interface. The necessary programming code is written by the software in the background. However, it is a low-code and not a no-code model, as experienced users can also intervene with their own code if necessary.
Areas of application and application areas of the low-code platform
Thanks to its high level of flexibility, Bubble.io is very suitable for creating simple or complex websites and adapting them efficiently to your own wishes. The intuitive work with the containers makes it very easy at first glance to create the desired designs and functions. But even here, although the program is low-code, it is still not easy to use. Although the learning curve is lower than with Webflow due to the slightly lower complexity, it is also Bubble.io in such a way that you have to take your time before the results are gradually attractive and functional.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
The benefits:
- Wide range of services when creating websites
- Can be used without programming knowledge
- Low-code like in a graphics program
- Lots of templates and plugins
The drawbacks:
- Steep learning curve
- Not directly usable for CMS or e-commerce
- Programming skills are an advantage
Professional support remains crucial
Of all the tools presented, Bubble.io is still the low-code tool that is the easiest way to achieve results as a layperson. However, this does not mean that it works without any problems here too without external help. Because here too, companies must invest time and manpower to address the opportunities. Especially without specialists in their own company, such a company consumes a great deal of time and energy. It therefore makes more sense to look for a responsible agency for Bubble.io as well, which will accompany and support you and your company.
Shopify overview
Shopify is a low-code solution with a strong focus on e-commerce. Everything here revolves around selling over the Internet. So you can't create or program your own website using Shopify, but you can create a powerful online shop that leaves nothing to be desired. Shopify offers a very good low-code approach, as initial successes can be achieved very quickly even without previous knowledge. Here, for example, you can see a significant difference to a solution like Webflow, which has a steep learning curve. However, even with Shopify, you can go beyond the low-code approach and integrate your own plugins through programming and thus also meet special requirements. In the pure area of e-commerce, Shopify is increasingly successful in establishing itself on the market and also attracting customers from long-standing solutions. We expect that Shopify will continue to establish itself more and more on the market over the next few years.
Areas of application and application areas of the low-code platform
Shopify is a low-code tool that makes it easier for companies to set up their own online shop. And without having to maintain your own infrastructure and without being able to program the shop yourself. Shopify's low-code approach is very comprehensive. Practically all elements can be adapted and optimized using simple drag-and-drop and templates. Shopify also offers a wide range of interfaces, so that many functions can also be integrated via plugins and extensions. No matter how little you and your team know about programming, thanks to the low-code approach, you can still set up a functioning online shop with Shopify within a very short period of time. It remains to be seen whether this will meet all your requirements, but the entire system will work. And the rest, as is often the case in the low-code sector, is fine-tuning.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
Of course, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of using a low-code tool like Shopify for your e-commerce. We have clearly presented the advantages and disadvantages for you.
The benefits:
- All sales can be recorded immediately
- A wide range of templates and designs
- Responsive design on all devices
- Extremely good scalability of the offer
- Built-in SEO features
- Numerous interfaces for marketing and more
- Supports all common payment methods out of the box
- Apps and plugins for even more flexibility
The drawbacks:
- Unusual designs cannot be implemented low-code
- Changes to the backend code are not possible on Shopify
- Shopify doesn't offer true multilingualism
Professional support remains crucial
Shopify is extremely flexible and diverse and, thanks to the low-code approach, is easy to use even by laymen and can be equipped with new goods or offers, for example. But to create your own online shop, we recommend working with experts. Because here too, as unfortunately with the other low-code tools, the possibilities are far too great to be able to use them effectively without knowledge and experience. Far too much potential is therefore wasted if you are not well enough familiar with these areas. In addition, creating a shop yourself with a low-code tool ties up manpower and working time, which can be better used in the actual company. Turning to experts here ensures faster processes, better results and, above all, faster profits. Using Webflow as an example, we even worked out whether a Agency or freelancer yield more for companies.
Conclusion: Excellent low-code platforms with a wide range of options
Depending on the desired area of application, the various low-code platforms can impress with their very own focal areas. However, we are convinced that it is not sensible and effective to manage such a project without professional support. Simply because most companies lack appropriate experience in this area. And mistakes when starting out in e-commerce can quickly become expensive or reduce overall success.
However, you shouldn't miss out on using low-code tools such as Webflow, Bubble.io or Shopify. This is because they not only significantly reduce development costs for your own e-commerce, but also accelerate the entire development process sustainably. In addition, these tools make communication between service provider and client significantly easier, as templates and examples can always be used. Especially since all three platforms also allow the company's software to be integrated via the appropriate interfaces and thus used more effectively. In any case, we recommend the three low-code platforms mentioned above, as their range can virtually cover the needs of all industries and all target groups. And when such a platform reaches its limits, it can be easily extended via plugins and interfaces.
- Wide range of services when creating websites
- Can be used without programming knowledge
- Low-code like in a graphics program
- Lots of templates and plugins
- Powerful tool for websites, CMS and e-commerce
- There are no practical restrictions
- Your own learning platform for beginners
- Lots of templates and plugins
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