Everyone is talking about the no-code revolution and “no-code” is one of 2022’s most common business buzzwords. But what exactly is “no-code” and how can no-code automations help business owners?
What does no-code workflow automation mean?
A no-code solution involves automating manual tasks without needing to write code, or use a developer. Non-technical people can use no-code tools to connect different software apps and automate their processes.
Some apps have inbuilt no-code solutions for automating workflows. For example, MailChimp includes ‘customer journeys’ which allow you to automatically send emails based on customer interactions and behaviours. It’s easy to configure these journeys using ‘drag and drop’ logic, without writing a single line of code or needing to understand technical concepts.
Another example of an app which includes inbuilt automations is Pipedrive, a CRM platform. Using the Pipedrive ‘Workflow Automation builder’, You can set up personalised emails to send your leads automatically, or create activities when a deal moves along the pipeline.
It’s worth digging into the apps in your tech stack to see what you can achieve using no-code automation. You may be surprised at what is possible without spending money on more software or employing a developer.
If your software doesn’t include the functionality to automate your processes then there are no-code tools like Zapier which connect thousands of apps. Zapier is extremely powerful yet simple to use, and it was developed for non-technical users. It includes many templates and examples of how others connect their apps, which makes configuring your own workflows really easy.
Why would business owners adopt no-code solutions?
No-code solutions are a huge opportunity to get ahead of the competition. With major skills shortages and a lack of qualified IT staff, you can empower your existing team using no-code tools.
No-code automations can be delivered really quickly and your team needn’t have any prior experience in using them. This was especially useful during the pandemic when businesses needed to deploy new solutions at lightning speed, something which would have been impossible without no-code apps.
In this LinkedIn article, predictions for 2022 for no-code and low-code solutions include:
- How they will help businesses with the increasing demand for better customer experience.
- How team members can be empowered when there is a lack of professional developers.
- How staff can focus on key business tasks when their mundane manual tasks have been automated.
What are the benefits of no-code workflow automations?
As well as the speed of deployment that we’ve already talked about, there are many other benefits that no-code automation brings to the table.
The main benefit of no-code workflow automation is an increase in productivity. Automating manual repetitive tasks means that they are done far more quickly and efficiently than when a human is involved. This frees up time for staff to focus on other work, the creative tasks that really make a difference to a business.
The second benefit of automation is that it eliminates human error. If a team member is manually copying data from one application to another, they are likely to make a mistake occasionally. They might miss out a step in the process, or forget to follow up a task. These errors can be costly in terms of data integrity, lost leads and fewer sales.
Another benefit of no-code workflow automation is the scope for higher profits. Businesses who adopt no-code solutions can make more money through greater productivity. They may not need to hire more staff when the business grows as they can simply make the existing operation more efficient. By winning more leads the business will make more sales, and therefore impact the bottom line.
How can no-code workflow automation help business owners?
Business owners who adopt no-code automation will have a happier workforce and achieve better staff retention. Empowering employees with automation will make them more engaged and motivated. Nurturing these skills means that the team feels valued and involved in the business.
Businesses that embrace automation also experience better customer service. If automations can take care of regular communications, then staff have more time for the human engagement which is vital for customer experience.
Business owners can also have their finger on the pulse more easily, thanks to no-code workflow automation. Management information can be gathered automatically, and the days of copying data from one spreadsheet to another are long-forgotten. Streamlining report production is a huge benefit as it delivers better data and can be available real-time.
Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about no-code workflow automation then we have plenty of free resources:
- Our free e-book is the perfect introduction to business automation.
- Our YouTube channel features Kelly showing you how easy it is to automate various business processes.
- Our Zapier functions cheat sheet delves into the powerful inbuilt helper apps which can supercharge your automations
- Kelly’s new book, Automate It with Zapier, is out now and is the most comprehensive Zapier guide on the market. It will get you up and running and to the stage where you can build and debug advanced automations. Buy your own copy today direct from publisher Packt using this link. Or here are links to Amazon (.co.uk) and Amazon (.com) if you prefer.
Solvaa: Strategy, Solutions, Support, Education
UK-based Solvaa® is a systems, process and automation consultancy specialising in improving business workflows. Solvaa® works with SMEs worldwide to implement digital tools, better processes, use business process automation and generative AI to boost productivity, enhance lead management, and remove unnecessary time, costs and hassles from stretched business owners’ days.
We help you simplify and streamline existing processes, integrate your business tools to make data transfer more efficient, and automate manual tasks. Our business process automation specialists have extensive experience using multiple cloud-based business tools, including Zapier, Pipedrive CRM, SmartSuite, Xero, Google Suite, ClickUp, Asana, Airtable, Hubspot, Active Campaign, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Quickbooks and many more. We are Zapier Certified Experts, SmartSuite Certified Partners, Pipedrive Certified Partners and Xero Certified Advisors. We also educate teams about using AI in their daily roles, mindset, governance and strategy in our Solvaa AI Academy.
Solvaa® was founded in 2016 by Kelly Goss, a no-code solutions architect, business process automation specialist and author of Automate It with Zapier (first edition) and Automate It with Zapier and Generative AI (second edition).
A thought leader on business process automation and digital adoption, Kelly attended an invite-only Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the UK government at No.10 Downing Street, providing insights and recommendations on how SMEs can benefit from productivity gains by using digital technologies, automation and AI. She has also been invited to speak at the House of Lords and at many other events.
Contact us today to find out how Solvaa can help your business make big savings on operational costs and time, and significantly increase productivity.
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