Low code app development is continuously gaining popularity among businesses of different types and sizes. According to some earlier published studies by Gartner, around 70% of new apps built by enterprises will rely on no-code or low-code technologies by 2025. Just compare, in 2020, their share was at the level of 25%. This tendency boosts the growing demand for low code experts.
But if the low-code approach allows “citizen developers” to enter the game, is there any need for you to hire tech professionals with expertise in this domain? Spoiler: Yes. A low code specialist will make a huge contribution to your project’s success. In this article, we are going to explain why it is so and share some practical tips where you can find seasoned professionals with relevant skills.
Low code software development: Quick overview
To begin with, let us quickly remind you of the key benefits that the concept of low code app development brings to the business world.
Low code platforms can be defined as development environments that enable users to build apps and workflows with minimal manual efforts.
How is it possible? These platforms traditionally provide a wide range of tools that help to eliminate the necessity of writing dozens of code lines to solve the set tasks. Instead of time-consuming coding, users can leverage the following features:
- Visual interfaces, often with drag-and-drop functionality. Users can design apps with the help of graphical tools like flowcharts and pre-built modules.
- Reusable components. Many platforms of this type offer ready-made components or templates that can be reused across different projects.
- Automated workflows. Such commonly applied processes as data handling or notifications can be easily automated.
- Integrations. The majority of modern low-code platforms allow smooth integrations with external systems via APIs. It means that the processes of connecting your low code solution with databases, popular business services, and tools will be absolutely simple.
- Customization. Despite the fact that such platforms offer ready-to-use components, they ensure some flexibility as well. It is possible to adjust these components and templates to the specific needs of your business.
If you want to learn more about the features of such tools, we recommend you read one of our previously published blog posts. In this article, we described the functionality of Retool, as well as some other popular options for low code app development, like UI Bakery, ToolJet, Airtable, and others.
The provided features allow programmers and non-technical users known as citizen developers to build software more quickly and with fewer resources than traditional coding methods. As a result, businesses can enjoy higher agility and adapt to new requirements. Moreover, the expenses on app development can be significantly reduced in comparison to traditional coding methods.
Why do you need to hire a low code specialist?
Though citizen developers can actively participate in the project realization, specific expertise is still highly valuable. Namely, the domain skills and knowledge will make it possible for your business to maximize the potential of low code platforms.
Let’s have a closer look at the advantages of cooperating with such a specialist.
- Deeper understanding of the full range of features and tools. Experts can tap into advanced functionalities that citizen developers may overlook. This will help you build optimized solutions that will be not only functional but high-performing and scalable.
- Solutions fully tailored to your needs. An individual low code specialist or a low code agency that you will work with can analyze your unique business processes and translate them into tailored apps. As a result, the platform will serve your business instead of forcing you to fit your processes within the limitations of the tool.
- Optimized performance. Low-code platforms are known to be user-friendly. However, poor choices made by your team can lead to the underperformance of your apps. A specialist knows the underlying architecture of low-code tools and can ensure that your solutions run smoothly and efficiently.
- Dealing with pitfalls and limitations. Low code tools have their limitations. And without expert knowledge, businesses can easily face serious roadblocks during development. A low-code specialist can find creative solutions to overcome possible barriers.
- Faster time to market. The low-code approach greatly speeds up development. But a low-code professional can further accelerate the process. It is possible thanks to the expertise that helps to avoid common mistakes and identify the most efficient ways to solve the set tasks.
- Training citizen developers. Companies and individual specialists can not only provide low code development services. They can also offer consultancy support, as well as mentor and train non-technical staff. Such efforts ensure that citizen developers are deeply involved in all the related processes and can efficiently create and manage low-code apps.
- Security and compliance. Specialists can implement robust security practices to protect your sensitive data and safeguard your solutions against potential vulnerabilities. Moreover, they also will make sure that your apps meet all the regulations that are in force in your region, such as GDPR or HIPAA.
Want to find out other arguments? You can read about the reasons to hire Retool developers on our blog.
As you can see, individual specialists or low code companies can make use of low-code platforms much more efficient and beneficial for your business. However, to fully leverage all the advantages of such cooperation, you need to find real professionals with a high level of expertise.
Where to find a seasoned low code specialist
The process of recruiting an expert in low code software development doesn’t seriously differ from the process of hiring tech specialists with any other skills. There are several approaches to this task.
Freelance platforms
Working with a freelancer can be a very convenient format, especially when you are looking for specialists for some short-term projects. On popular platforms, like Toptal, Upwork, and Fiverr, there are a lot of low code companies and individual developers who are ready to offer their professional help.
Nevertheless, it’s highly crucial to be attentive and conduct diligent research before hiring. Unfortunately, there are some unfair players who fail to deliver low code development services of the desired quality. That’s why proper analysis of the companies’ and developers’ profiles, as well as reviews written by their clients, is a must.
Professional low code companies
If you see that working with freelancers is not the best idea for you, you can find a reliable low code agency. As a rule, such companies offer flexible terms of cooperation and can provide you with development and consultancy services. As a result, it is possible to find the most optimal model of cooperation that will meet all your business needs.
One of the easiest ways to find an appropriate company is just to use Google. Nevertheless, in this case, you should be ready to conduct your own research to find out whether you can trust a company under consideration.
If you are looking for a tech partner on such listing platforms as GoodFirms or Clutch, you will have all the required data, including reviews and ratings, at your disposal.
Another option is to turn to the professional communities of different platforms and technologies that will be used on your project. For example, Retool has its developer network. It helps businesses to find teams to work with their platform.
At Akveo, we have been successfully working in the sphere of low code app development for many years. Our developers have a deep understanding of the peculiarities of this approach, as well as the functionality of a wide range of tools, including OutSystems, Retool, Mendix, and others. We are always open to new projects and are ready to cope with tasks of any complexity. To learn more about our experience, you can read our case studies.
Online job boards
If you are interested in hiring an in-house specialist, you can turn to various online job boards, such as Glassdoor, SimplyHired, MonsterJobs, or Indeed. These job boards are commonly used for posting full-time or contract low-code specialist roles. Many experienced professionals actively browse listings here.
You can use LinkedIn to search for low-code developers or specialists. You can filter the search results by experience level, location, and required certifications. Moreover, LinkedIn also has job posting features.
Low-code developer communities
Many low-code platforms have active developer communities that unite specialists with a deep understanding of their tools. To connect with experienced developers, you can visit and participate in relevant forums like the Retool Community forum, OutSystems Developer Community, or Mendix Forum.
Industry events and meetups
You can also look for local or virtual meetups and other events focused on low code app development. These events often attract experienced specialists who are engaged with the latest trends in this space. These meetups can become an excellent venue for establishing contacts with experts and offering them cooperation.
Internal upskilling
This option can become an interesting idea for those companies that have their development teams. Instead of hiring external experts, they can consider investing in training their employees. To gain new skills, developers can rely on courses offered by the low code platforms themselves or online training platforms like Udemy.
Practical tips for hiring a good low code specialist
With our experience in low code software development and hiring specialists for our team, we have already elaborated our approach to finding the best professionals. Here are a couple of recommendations that can help you in your search.
- Check the experience of a candidate with the specific platform that you plan to use. Ask them to provide examples of projects they’ve completed using the platform. Pay attention to the complexity of these solutions and the exact tools that were used.
- Evaluate the candidate’s understanding of the business processes. Low-code specialists should have a deep understanding of how business needs can be addressed with effective apps.
- Assess the specialist’s technical knowledge beyond low-code platforms. For developers, an understanding of technical fundamentals like APIs, databases, and integrations is crucial.
- Analyze communication and collaboration skills. Such specialists often need to work closely with both technical teams and business stakeholders. That’s why strong communication skills are highly demanded. It’s great when a candidate is able to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. This will greatly facilitate further cooperation on your project.
- Try to find out whether your candidate is open to continuous learning and new knowledge. Low-code platforms regularly introduce new features. Good specialists should always stay updated with the latest trends and changes in low-code development. That’s why their desire to learn new things and their ability to do it on their own are a must.
If you want to establish cooperation with a team that will deliver high-quality low code development services, contact us. At Akveo, we will always find the best approach that will correspond to your business model and will fully satisfy your requirements. Let us help you optimize your workflows with advanced low-code technologies.
Billing Automation for a SaaS Company with Low-Code
Our client needed a robust billing solution to manage hierarchical licenses, ensure compliance, and automate invoicing for streamlined operations.
The solution:
We developed a Retool-based application that supports multi-tiered licenses, automates invoicing workflows, and integrates seamlessly with CRM and accounting platforms to enhance financial data management.
The result:
- Achieved 100% adherence to licensing agreements, mitigating penalties.
- Automated invoicing and workflows reduced manual effort significantly.
- Dashboards and reports improved decision-making and operational visibility.
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.
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.
