If you’re reading this and can’t think of what the term “no code” means, you likely actually already know. No code is when you utilize technology that would have previously needed computer programming knowledge, except without needing to know how to code. The easiest way to communicate this phenomenon, and where it is most obvious, is when building a website on a platform like Squarespace, Shopify, Square, Wix, or otherwise another website builder that does a lot of the work for you. When building with these no code website builders, also known as “drag and drop,” most of the programming is done for you by the platform you’re using. This allows almost anyone to be able to build a website, ultimately expanding the amount of people who can build websites.

Before drag and drop no code platforms existed, it actually took a bit of technical knowledge to get a website up, running, and maintained. At the advent of the internet, this was especially the case. You would have to hand code every element of the website that you wanted to build, then figure out how to host that website’s code so that it could be accessible 24/7 on the public internet. For something that is so simple to complete now (today, you can feasibly get a simple website online within 10 minutes), it is almost alien to think of how specialized that knowledge used to be.

Nowadays you can even build entire apps with no code. With the service Bubble, you can even create an app almost indistinguishable from Uber and Airbnb, all without needing to know a single programming language. These Bubble apps are currently limited to web-only (meaning they won’t make it to the App Store just yet). Bubble uses the same drag and drop technology that something like Squarespace uses, just more in-depth, as there is more functionality to consider beyond a simple webpage.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t get an app on the app store with a no code solution. There are plenty of businesses that will build you a functional mobile app that can be placed on the App Store (you just have to communicate your designs and ambitions to those companies).

No code is a beautiful thing. It increases online accessibility to almost literally anyone. If you’re an artist that needs an online portfolio, you can create your own in a weekend. No longer do you have to hire someone to do that for you, saving money, and opening the opportunity to anyone with an internet connection and a credit or debit card. If you’re a small or new business, you likely don’t have a lot of spare time or money. Building your own website cuts down on expenses, while also giving you more control over how your business appears online to potential customers. No code is a great thing, and funnily enough, it’s likely something you’re already utilizing.