Once upon a time, the world of web design was a daunting landscape where small agencies faced their toughest challenge—Time. Back then, skilled developers were as rare as gold, and I still remember taking calls from recruiters trying to poach them from under our noses. Time and resource management have always been the pain points of any project. But what if I told you there’s a smarter way to work? One that frees up your development teams to focus on the things that matter most, the parts that make people say “Wow!” That’s where low-code applications come in.
In fact, Gartner predicts that by 2024, 75% of large enterprises will be using low-code development tools. Let’s explore why.
A Framework for the Future
Time is still the most valuable resource for any agency, and it’s expensive. After you’ve invested all that time and money into a site, web trends and technologies change faster than you can blink. Even your brand might evolve in just a few years, as one of our clients, Steamship Mutual, found out during a brand update right at the tail end of a project—a situation that used to be a nightmare.
With a low-code solution, these drastic changes are no longer a headache. Low-code ecosystems exist within a single code base, meaning updates like a brand overhaul can take weeks, not months. This allows agencies to focus their efforts on what truly differentiates them: content and strategy.
Low-code applications offer a tried-and-tested framework, but they aren’t one-size-fits-all. While platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress are great for simple use cases, they can’t match the flexibility and scalability of Site Studio, especially for the commercial world. With over four years of experience as an Acquia partner, we’ve helped clients achieve near-impossible timelines, making low-code a game-changer.
Working Smarter, Not Harder
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my career is that working smarter always beats working harder. Over the past eight years, I’ve encountered countless bottlenecks in web development. Whether it’s waiting on development resources or hearing from clients whose marketing campaigns have been delayed due to simple layout changes, the frustration is real.
With Site Studio, those roadblocks are a thing of the past. Today, my team and I focus on enhancing user experiences from the start. Even in challenging times like the pandemic, Site Studio has empowered us and our clients to rapidly bring their vision to life. A great example is our client 15below, who provides travel communication software. When the industry came to a halt, we rebuilt their website in just 10 days—a timeline unimaginable with a high-code build. As a result, they were able to launch two successful campaigns that secured new clients.
Empowering Creativity
As a creative, I’ve often had to compromise on my vision due to time and resource constraints. But with low-code, those days are behind me. Tools like Site Studio allow us to lock down templates and components so teams can focus on what matters: creating engaging content.
Take Unit4, for example. We rebuilt their website on Drupal 9 as a scalable design system to power their global product partner sites. This allowed us to focus on the creative aspects, like developing an interactive wall for their homepage, while their recruitment team leveraged the same system for a new careers site. Without low-code, this quick turnaround would’ve been impossible.
So, Who’s the Winner?
Whether you’re looking for flexibility in showcasing your brand or need a rigid design system that prioritises accessibility, low-code is often the clear choice. It’s adaptable, scalable, and empowers both creative teams and developers to work efficiently.
That said, high-code still has its place. If you’re a creative agency looking for ultimate control, high-code may be more suited to your needs—just be prepared for a longer journey!
Still unsure? Check out some of our case studies for further insights:
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Building and launching five global sites in 10 weeks
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Award-winning case study: Re-platforming in a crisis
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Bringing digital efficiencies to the public sector
The future of web development is about making smarter choices, and low-code is leading the way.
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