Guide to low-code development on WordPress

• Updated on: 2024-05-15
• Read original article here

The need for a faster website creation turnaround is increasing, and more non-technical customers are taking advantage of no-code and low-code development platforms.

WordPress is also widely used as a low-code development platform and allows developers to use their knowledge to their advantage and create a custom user experience.

The base of over 59,000 plugins is enough for anyone to add functionality to WordPress, and an array of themes offers a unique look for anyone who purchases it.

The rise of low- or no-code platforms such as Wix, Shopify, and others, allows users to interact with the platform intuitively, using a drag-and-drop visual builder. Many hosting companies propose website design tools that non-professionals can use.

However, as businesses grow, the limited nature of no-code environments may become insufficient, and the user seeks better ways to achieve the goals.

A developer usually does the initial website development, and the maintenance workflow falls to the user’s hands.

In a lno-code environment, the user has pre-made options to choose from and they are limited, as well as the customizations. You don’t have access to your source code. If you rely on specific functionality, there is nothing you can do about it.

With its online presence and constant improvements, WordPress has become the go-to place for businesses that need a good-looking, functional, and scalable product.

You can easily install WordPress on your website and use it to publish content and customize the look and feel in the Appearance menu. There is a plugin for everything you can think of. However, many plugins can lead to performance issues and bloating.

Many themes require a visual builder, such as Elementor, WP Bakery Visual Composer, Beaver Builder, Divi, or custom builders built by the developers of the theme. Most of the builders rely on Gutenberg Blocks to function properly.

The website building process using visual builders, combined with some back-end knowledge of WordPress administration and taxonomy, is intuitive and straightforward. Users see immediately if some elements are styled incorrectly.

Users can achieve excellent results if they just experiment with the settings with no previous coding knowledge. Most of the plugins and themes are well documented, and YouTube or other services provide detailed tutorials, so anyone can create a website.

If you are a developer with extensive knowledge, you can use it to your advantage to create stunning websites with added functionality from the plugins.

You can add additional CSS using the Customize option in the Appearance menu. These CSS rules apply and override the CSS styling made by the theme and plugins and add an extra layer of customization to your website.

By using the Code Snippets plugin, you can add additional JavaScript, PHP, or HTML code and functionality. For better SEO and analytics, there are multiple options for setting up tags, pixels, and metadata.

You can also customize WordPress and you can build your own themes and plugins, if you are proficient with PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, since it is open-source.

You can even use WordPress for its REST-API and store the data in a SQL database, while handling the output by some front-end development libraries, such as React, Angular, Vue, or similar, to create a better user experience.

Compared to no-code solutions, WordPress’s versatility makes it a notable contender even in today’s fast-growing IT industry.

The following is a list of the low-code development method’s major benefits:

Speed: Since low-code development rarely requires human programming, finished apps and prototypes are created significantly more quickly. This increases the productivity of experienced developers. Instead of needing to remove coding flaws, they can focus on other important responsibilities.

Simplicity: The strategy is straightforward, making it possible for those with minimal expertise or technical training to get started immediately. The logical arrangement of the pieces automatically produces the source code that developers often write themselves. It is simple to make subsequent improvements.

Cost cutting: Time savings automatically translate into lower prices. Low-code development platforms’ visual components are reusable and do not need to be written again every time. The simplicity of usage eliminates the need for expensive staff training.

Flexibility: Tools for providing flexibility allow applications to be released in the desired setting. Low-code platforms provide a high degree of versatility while also being simple to use. This implies that programmers can react fast to developments or market demands.

Quality: A higher level of quality is feasible since low-code development is also geared for non-programmers, allowing for the inclusion of knowledge from many departments. As citizen developers, experts from several disciplines work to identify novel solutions. As a result, groupthink is avoided, and the final output is of higher quality.

Enhanced manageability: All facets of software creation, operation, and maintenance are integrated into low-code development platforms in a smooth, cloud-based manner.

Built-in safety: Your apps always run in a secure environment since low-code platforms provide ongoing upgrades and patches.

Increased user satisfaction: A broad range of UI features offered by low-code development platforms enable an enhanced user and consumer experience. Low-code development’s speed enables you to add functions quickly or carry out tests to evaluate enhancements.

Constantly changing platforms: The platform’s features, technologies, and tools are regularly upgraded to let you simply deliver a market-leading experience that changes over time.

Business continuity with old software: You can create an innovative front end using a low code that “masks” a legacy back end. In addition, you may gradually replace legacy functionality with new functionality built using low code without materially altering the front-end user experience.

There isn’t a fix for that issue that works for everyone. You are the one who should decide which choice is best for you because you are the one who understands your circumstances the best. However, we advise you to be mindful of the following elements:

Plan: It can be sufficient, to begin with a straightforward no-code website and, subsequently, if the scenario calls for it, construct a more intricate product. Or, if you want a top-notch product right away, you can assign the work to developers.

Budget: Set a budget and decide what is both affordable and practical. Try to keep the long-term expenses in mind as well. Custom solutions require custom development and can increase the costs significantly.

Time: If you have a strict timeline, launching an MVP created using a no- or low-code development platform could be better.

Capabilities and abilities: Even though it seems straightforward, no-code programming nevertheless requires some training. On the other hand, non-technical folks will find editing and repairing its products considerably simpler.

No matter if you are a senior developer or a newcomer, no- and low-code development solutions can be valuable assets for building a nice-looking website with added functionality. Templates and plugins can help you serve a viable product in the minimum required time and with the help of your non-technical staff.

Feel free to experiment with the free-from code style. You might learn to like it!