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The most conspicuous thing about modern e-commerce is its rapid growth. In the fast-paced digital world of today, more and more purchases are made through Internet services worldwide. The research jointly conducted by eMarketer and Statista claims that online retail sales will hit a whopping $6.51 trillion in 2023, with eCommerce websites making about 22% of the whole retail sales.
Obviously, the competition is tough in this market. That’s why many e-commerce businesses have been wondering about ways to increase their sales while saving up costs. What’s the solution? Low code! The whole low-code development movement is getting increasingly popular across industries, and the domain of eCommerce isn’t an exception.
Both low-code and no-code platforms provide effective tools for managing an e-commerce store cost-effectively. Using low code, e-merchants can:
- Connect any data source in one place with no migrations involved;
- Add options for new products instantly;
- Control sensitive customer data accessibility.
Why low code is popular among e-commerce businesses
Before we dive deeper into details, let's ensure everybody is on the same page, shall we? So here’s a bit of glossary to get started:
What is eсommerce:
Electronic commerce or (E-commerce/eCommerce) is the process of buying and selling products and services via the Internet. These aforementioned transactions happen either in business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), consumer-to-consumer, or consumer-to-business modes.
What is low code:
Low-code development is an approach that requires little coding skills when creating software. Instead, citizen developers can create applications using pre-made components and graphical interfaces.
What is no code:
No code builders are platforms that let you create various business applications without writing a single line of code (hence its name).
Low-code/no-code platforms allow fintechs to stay ahead of regulations and industry changes while adhering to high-security standards. Such platforms help financial entities to respond to market changes faster with in-house development teams.
So why are the reasons e-merchants resort to low-code platforms? Let’s find out.
Save money on development costs. If you have a limited budget, that’s the primary benefit, I think. This way, you don’t need a developer to start your ecommerce journey. This level of flexibility will save you money in the long run.
Benefit from faster Time to Market (TTM). Using pre-built components (that are optimized for both mobile and web performance), citizen developers can create an e-commerce website or application fast. The difference is even more striking, especially when compared to solutions you have to build from scratch.
Put more focus on business-related things. Forget about HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, or dealing with database management systems. Instead, focus on selling products or services as a true e-merchant would.
Provide a more enjoyable shopping experience. You can develop a user/mobile-friendly website with low code so your customers can easily navigate through it.
Scale up fast. Low-code builders let you develop tools to manage inventory, procurement, and supply chain operations in an easy manner. This way, you can grow your business faster with little budget.
Ecommerce low-code/no-code platforms
Low-code builders are universal for any industry, but there are several ones targeted precisely at e-merchants. Although it would be time-consuming to cover all of them, let’s check some of the options in the market.
Perhaps, it would be logical to start with Shopify, a renowned leader among ecommerce platforms. Although the platform doesn’t promote itself as a low-code tool per se, it has everything to set up a store in a matter of hours.
If you want to develop your own fully customizable website with little coding skills, go for Shopify. You can play around with free design themes, add merchandise, and select from over 8.000 apps to make your online store stand out from the rest. Shopify provides various sales channels, apps, POS, and features that significantly facilitate the selling process, even for e-commerce rookies.
Let’s move on. Meet VTEX, the builder that enables e-commerce businesses to achieve faster time to market, reach clients across multiple channels, and discover new growth areas.
The platform represents a turnkey commerce, marketplace, and OMS solution in one place. VREX allows merchants to sell across all channels, collaborating with channel partners and expanding product assortment.
The next stop is Interplay, a low-code headless eCommerce platform by Iterate.io. But what is headless architecture? It’s easy: you can have all the business logic and functionalities in a set of APIs that specialized backends support. This way, Interplay Commerce provides users with all the flexibility, speed, integration consistency, and connected low-code development environment that they might need.
Mowiko provides a drag-and-drop interface so that merchants can add and remove components to their e-commerce apps with no effort. Mowiko works with 60+ e-commerce platforms and payment systems. It is worth noting that you can’t create a store with that builder , but you can integrate your eCommerce platform into Mowiko to get a fully-functional mobile application.
Another case worth mentioning is Popup, a platform for the creation, management and hosting of online stores. Sure, it’s rather a no-code builder, but it allows you to build any type of online commerce experience in a matter of seconds. The platform will be open to the public in the first quarter of 2023. In the meantime, Popup already raised $3.5 million in a pre-seed round.
Low-code/fintech business cases
E-commerce experts consider simplification as a crucial reason behind low code popularity. But what about actual business cases? Let's check some of the eCommerce projects done with low code.
As low-code enthusiasts, we’ve done several projects for the ecommerce domain here at Akveo. Let’s observe them in detail, so without further ado, let’s meet Klekticc, an online furniture store in Dubai, UAE.
Challenges
The client needed to put info about orders and wholesale in one application. Before the project took off, the client used to store all data in different apps, which wasn't convenient. However, as an SME business, the client didn't have enough budget to resort to services like Tableau.
Solution and scope of work
Using UI Bakery, we could build 5 custom dashboards within 10 hours to compare information from data sources such as Airtable, Shopify, and storehouse API. Now the client has a reliable tool to manage data in one place.
Technology Stack: UI Bakery, Airtable, Google Sheets, and Shopify.
Another client provides flexible B2B software for AWS vendors and GCP Marketplace. Their main services include sales pedigree, methodology, and innovation.
Challenges
Our task was to create a web application that receives data from the AWS and displays clients on several easy-to-use pages with graphs and dashboards.
Scope of work and solution
First, our team split the project’s scope into 3 main steps:
1. Email management
Emails from the AWS Marketplace are parsed via the Mailparser service. In its turn, Mailparser sends data to UI Bakery Automations via webhook. Automation scenarios process the data, enrich it with additional information if needed and finally store it in a relational database on AWS (e.g., PostgreSQL).
2. UI for customers and vendors
We built the UI for end users with UI Bakery, a low-code platform for developing internal tools. There might be different applications for Vendors and Customers. UI Bakery gets the data from the database on AWS.
3. Vendor app
On the main page, the vendor sees the complete list of opportunities. On the app details page, vendors can see the detailed info and the customers associated with this offer.
Finally, we managed to create 3 dashboards with a striking UI within four days.
Technology Stack: AWS, UI Bakery, Retool, Mailparser, PostgreSQL.
As it gets evident from these cases, low-code platforms have all it takes to solve complex tasks fast.
Key takeaways and what to expect in 2023
Mendix’s State of Low Code report indicates that low-code will help to provide unified retail commerce by improving collaboration across organizations (44%) and with third parties (41%), synchronizing customer data (43%), and improving real-time inventory accuracy (36%) through technologies like smart shelves and computer vision.
1. More e-merchants will appear. More people have realized that starting an ecommerce business isn’t rocket science. Low-code platforms can help entrepreneurs build their e-stores without worrying about the technical aspects of the business.
2. More flexibility. In 2023, low-code software development platforms will give citizen developers even more flexibility to deliver tools that fully support modern omnichannel sales models.
3. More speed. As Jon Nordmark, CEO of Iterate.ai put it: “Our tests indicate low-code speeds mobile development 10X — but the more complex the project, the faster it goes.” I guess those numbers are pretty much self-explanatory.
4. More hybrid apps will be built using low code. Fair enough, native apps have their benefits, such as performance and customization possibilities. However, in the modern, fast-paced eCommerce world, agility and speed to market are way more important.
Low-code Hall of Fame
Being curious low-code aficionados, we’ve analyzed what’s going on in the market and reviewed the most potent low-code/no-code builders in 2022. I guess the list will be pretty much the same in 2023. If you are interested to know all the peculiarities, you’re just a click away. Without further ado, take a look at these platforms:
Do you have feedback on any of the tools above? In case you do, please don’t hesitate to share your comments.
To sum up
Building an eCommerce business used to be a complicated process. You have to manage a multi-tier system of APIs and deal with increasing integrations, not to mention developing the app itself. The drag-and-drop approach changes all that: everything from basic web functionality to workflow automation can be done via low-code builders.
According to Gartner’s insights, 70% of new applications in 2025 will be built with no-code or low-code solutions. Low-code/no-code platforms have already established themselves as a driver of large-scale hyper-automation. Such platforms help eCommerce businesses to adapt to turbulence in the economy, abandon cumbersome systems, and quickly create and configure applications to solve constantly emerging business problems.
Summing up all these insights, it’s no-brainer to conclude that low-code builders provide several major advantages to aspiring merchants and established e-businesses alike. If you feel like you don’t want to use any of the current options (say, eBay, Amazon, Magento, Big Commerce, etc) and yet it’s hard to build something different from scratch, go for low code.
Being as powerful and intuitive as they are, low-code apps will help you to deal with any everyday eCommerce or retail business challenges you might be facing.
Hire low-code fintech experts
As noted above, the domain of ecommerce is rapidly developing in the increasingly interconnected world. Selling online gets affordable for more and more people worldwide. However, on your e-merchant's path, you might need an experienced technological partner to get the maximum result out of your efforts.
What about partnering with low code/no code development experts? With 8+ years of low-code development experience, our team helps companies deliver robust applications that cater to specific business needs. Our seasoned consultant team provides expert advice on low-code platforms for companies willing to innovate. We’ll help you define your very first steps so you can start implementing your low-code strategy from day one.
P.S. As you might have already guessed, we love making content about trends in low code (and eCommerce too). So… What about subscribing to our blog to get the latest insights and tips?
Retool Dashboards with HubSpot Integration
Our client needed a centralized tool to aggregate account and contact activity, improving visibility and decision-making for the sales team.
The solution
We built a Retool application integrated with HubSpot, QuickMail, and Clay.com. The app features dashboards for sorting, filtering, and detailed views of companies, contacts, and deals, along with real-time notifications and bidirectional data syncing.
The result
- MVP in 50 hours: Delivered a functional application in just 50 hours.
- Smarter decisions: Enabled data-driven insights for strategic planning.
- Streamlined operations: Reduced manual tasks with automation and real-time updates.
Lead Generation Tool to Reduce Manual Work
Our client, Afore Capital, a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed investments, aimed to automate their lead generation processes but struggled with existing out-of-the-box solutions. To tackle this challenge, they sought assistance from our team of Akveo Retool experts.
The scope of work
The client needed a tailored solution to log and track inbound deals effectively. They required an application that could facilitate the addition, viewing, and editing of company and founder information, ensuring data integrity and preventing duplicates. Additionally, Afore Capital aimed to integrate external tools like PhantomBuster and LinkedIn to streamline data collection.
The result
By developing a custom Retool application, we streamlined the lead generation process, significantly reducing manual data entry. The application enabled employees to manage inbound deals efficiently while automated workflows for email parsing, notifications, and dynamic reporting enhanced operational efficiency. This allowed Afore Capital's team to focus more on building relationships with potential founders rather than on administrative tasks.
Learn more about the case
Retool CMS Application for EdTech Startup
Our client, CutTime, a leading fine arts education management platform, needed a scalable CMS application to improve vendor product management and user experience.
The scope of work
We developed a Retool application that allows vendors to easily upload and manage product listings, handle inventory, and set shipping options. The challenge was to integrate the app with the client’s system, enabling smooth authentication and product management for program directors.
The result
Our solution streamlined product management, reducing manual work for vendors, and significantly improving operational efficiency.
Building Reconciliation Tool for e-commerce company
Our client was in need of streamlining and simplifying its monthly accounting reconciliation process – preferably automatically. But with a lack of time and low budget for a custom build, development of a comprehensive software wasn’t in the picture. After going through the case and customer’s needs, we decided to implement Retool. And that was the right choice.
The scope of work
Our team developed a custom reconciliation tool designed specifically for the needs of high-volume transaction environments. It automated the processes and provided a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring discrepancies and anomalies in real-time.
The implementation of Retool significantly reduced manual effort, as well as fostered a more efficient and time-saving reconciliation process.
Creating Retool Mobile App for a Wine Seller
A leading spirits and wine seller in Europe required the development of an internal mobile app for private client managers and administrators. The project was supposed to be done in 1,5 months. Considering urgency and the scope of work, our developers decided to use Retool for swift and effective development.
The scope of work
Our developers built a mobile application tailored to the needs of the company's sales force: with a comprehensive overview of client interactions, facilitated order processing, and enabled access to sales history and performance metrics. It was user-friendly, with real-time updates, seamlessly integrated with existing customer databases.
The result? Increase in productivity of the sales team and improved decision-making process. But most importantly, positive feedback from the customers themselves.
Developing PoC with Low Code for a Tour Operator
To efficiently gather, centralize, and manage data is a challenge for any tour operator. Our client was not an exception. The company was seeking to get an internal software that will source information from third-party APIs and automate the travel itinerary creation process. Preferably, cost- and user-friendly tool.
The scope of work
Our experts ensured the client that all the requirements could be covered by Retool. And just in 40 hours a new software was launched. The tool had a flexible and easy-to-use interface with user authentication and an access management system panel – all the company needed. At the end, Retool was considered the main tool to replace the existing system.
Testing New Generation of Lead Management Tool with Retool
Our client, a venture fund, had challenges with managing lead generation and client acquisition. As the company grew, it aimed to attract more clients and scale faster, as well as automate the processes to save time, improve efficiency and minimize human error. The idea was to craft an internal lead generation tool that will cover all the needs. We’ve agreed that Retool will be a perfect tool for this.
The scope of work
The project initially began as a proof of concept, but soon enough, with each new feature delivered, the company experienced increased engagement and value.
We developed a web tool that integrates seamlessly with Phantombuster for data extraction and LinkedIn for social outreach. Now, the company has a platform that elevates the efficiency of their lead generation activities and provides deep insights into potential client bases.
Building an Advanced Admin Portal for Streamlined Operations
Confronted with the need for more sophisticated internal tools, an owner of IP Licensing marketplace turned to Retool to utilize its administrative functions. The primary goal was to construct an advanced admin portal that could support complex, multi-layered processes efficiently.
The scope of work
Our client needed help with updating filters and tables for its internal platform. In just 30 hours we've been able to update and create about 6 pages. Following features were introduced: add complex filtering and search, delete records, styling application with custom CSS.
Together, we have increased performance on most heavy pages and fixed circular dependency issues.
Creating MVP Dashboard for Google Cloud Users
Facing the challenge of unoptimized cloud resource management, a technology firm working with Google Cloud users was looking for a solution to make its operations more efficient. The main idea of the project was to create an MVP for e-commerce shops to test some client hypotheses. Traditional cloud management tools fell short.
The scope of work
Determined to break through limitations, our team of developers turned Retool. We decided to craft an MVP Dashboard specifically for Google Cloud users. This wasn't just about bringing data into view; but about reshaping how teams interact with their cloud environment.
We designed a dashboard that turned complex cloud data into a clear, strategic asset thanks to comprehensive analytics, tailored metrics, and an intuitive interface, that Retool provides. As the results, an increase in operational efficiency, significant improvement in cost management and resource optimization.
Elevating CRM with Custom HubSpot Sales Dashboard
Our other client, a SaaS startup, that offers collaborative tools for design and engineering teams, was on a quest to supercharge their sales efforts. Traditional CRM systems were limited and not customizable enough. The company sought a solution that could tailor HubSpot to their workflow and analytics needs.
The scope of work
Charged with the task of going beyond standard CRM functions, our team turned to Retool. We wanted to redefine how sales teams interact with their CRM.
By integrating advanced analytics, custom metrics, and a user-friendly interface, our developers provided a solution that transformed data into a strategic asset.
In 40 hours, three informative dashboards were developed, containing the most sensitive data related to sales activities. These dashboards enable our customer to analyze sales and lead generation performance from a different perspective and establish the appropriate KPIs.
Building a PDF Editor with Low-Code
Our client, a leading digital credential IT startup, needed a lot of internal processes to be optimized. But the experience with low-code tools wasn’t sufficient. That’s why the company decided to hire professionals. And our team of developers joined the project.
The scope of work
The client has a program that designs and prints custom badges for customers. The badges need to be “mail-merged” with a person’s info and turned into a PDF to print. But what is the best way to do it?
Our developers decided to use Retool as a core tool. Using custom components and JavaScript, we developed a program that reduced employees' time for designing, putting the data, verifying, and printing PDF badges in one application.
As a result, the new approach significantly reduces the time required by the internal team to organize all the necessary staff for the conference, including badge creation.
