Just a few years ago, the Internet of Things (IoT) was a wave only big businesses like General Electrics were riding on. When Nest was bought by Google for a whopping $3.2 billion, though, regular, non-tech people started to take notice of what our future was shaping up to be.
Once fun gadgets like smart lights, Roombas and Apple watches started permeating the general public, it was clear that IoT was here to stay.
Today, people come to expect everyday gadgets to be smart. They assume internet or wireless connectivity will be a part of any TV they buy or new refrigerator they install. It’s simply a part of our normal, everyday lives.
Which is one of the reasons why now is the time to jump on board.
If your idea or startup is at all IoT focused (or if anything you’re planning on launching is smart) there might never be a better opportunity to get your feet wet. Just look around and see for yourself.
You don’t need to be a technical founder
The other reason you shouldn’t wait to take advantage of the growing tech trend? Because now, more than ever before, non-technical people are being given the ability to do what was previously only possible for engineers and programmers.
With no-code software allowing anyone and everyone to develop apps, harness IoT and launch tech-forward startups, teachers, doctors, baristas, and more are becoming developers.
To drive the point home even more, the IoT market is expected to hit $7.1 trillion over the next couple years. If the fact that you can break into that sector and stake your claim as a non-technical founder doesn’t get your heart pumping, I don’t know what will.
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No-code tools make IoT and intelligent software possible
You’ve seen website builders all over the internet. From WordPress, to Wix, and more, you can create your own site in just a few simple steps these days, no HTML or programming required.
As technology advances, though (and because the internet is now more than just websites), the same is happening for applications and software.
No-code builders like Bubble and Dropsource, for example, let you easily develop your own software or marketplace app without ever having to write a single line of code. Add software like Zapier to the mix, which allows apps to “talk” to each other, and you can now build an entire SaaS startup without ever coding or hiring a developer if you want. Simply drag and drop to create the front end of your project, connect the back end using plain English, and you’re set.
As a non-tech person, you can now launch your MVP or prototype in weeks instead of months or years.
Related: How IoT Companies are Changing the Startup World
No-code intelligence
Let’s say you have a startup similar to Airbnb that lets people book apartments and homes around the world. With platforms like Bubble or Dropsource, you could build the entire front and back ends of an Airbnb-type app in just a few days or weeks.
You could then connect your app to Zapier and a program like Chatfuel, which would let your app communicate with an intelligent chatbot (also built without coding).
That chatbot could be programmed to send a message via Facebook to a user who looks at a particular listing on your app. Maybe you’d tell it to show them other apartment and home recommendations in an area in which they were previously searching.
You could even let that same user book one of your apartment suggestions straight through your chatbot, which would then send the information back to your app and secure the reservation.
Looking at another example, let’s say you’ve used a no-code builder to develop an app similar to Citibike, which updates New Yorkers on exactly when a nearby bike is available.
Using the same setup as the last example, you could program an intelligent chatbot to notify shared-bike riders when one is available. Taking it a step further, you could even send notifications through Facebook when your app indicates a user is nearby their usual pickup spot.
All of that, without ever writing a single line of code, no technical background required. Talk about harnessing the power of IoT and intelligent tech.
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It’s your turn
If you’re an app founder or part of a startup team keen on jumping on the Internet of Things bandwagon, take the next step. The lack of a technical background is no longer a hindrance to building an idea, incorporating it into our digitally evolving world, and even creating smart chatbots to help run your growing business.
With so many tools and resources available to you right now, it’s your turn to start getting technical.
