You’ve been tasked with building web or mobile apps from scratch. It’s a huge undertaking, and here's the best part: you’ve got just two months to get it up and functional. 😅
The frontend is handled, since you’re a wiz at frameworks like Next.js, Nuxt.js, or Angular. It’s the backend development you’re worried about (don't worry – we've all been there.)
You know you’ll need to architect a robust physical infrastructure – things like:
- A database
- File storage
- Content delivery
- Autoscaling
You’ll also need middleware to handle authentication and access control, any APIs or integrations, alerting, emails, and more.
That’s going to take time and resources. You may even have to hire a full-stack specialist.
Got it? It's okay if you don't. This can seem like rocket science for even the most seasoned devs.
Here’s an alternative: you can leverage a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) solution, skip the tedious repetitive tasks and focus on the beautiful, engaging front-end.
Now that 2-month timeline doesn’t seem so unrealistic!
What is Backend-as-a-Service?
BaaS is a cloud-hosted service package that includes APIs and/or SDKs that allow you to connect digital projects to backend cloud data and logic.
Simply put, BaaS reduces project deployment time, outsources infrastructure management, and cuts overall development costs.
The package includes all the features you’ll need for a secure, high-performance app – database integration, permissions management, user authentication/authorization, notification services, scalability, backup and recovery, and more.
BaaS is gaining traction among creative and digital agencies, mobile app developers, web developers, and enterprises looking to capitalize on its numerous benefits. In fact, the market for BaaS is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 13% between now and 2030.
Why Backend-as-a-Service?
Using BaaS to power digital apps and websites offers numerous benefits, including faster time to market, reduced infrastructure and operating costs, and more time to focus on frontend development.
Let’s examine 6 advantages of BaaS in greater detail:
1 – Accelerate project deployment
Whether you were thinking of building the backend yourself or hiring a contractor, using BaaS eliminates that effort completely.
There’s no need to write the logic, install the infrastructure, import data, configure features, and test that everything works – it’s all built-in and pre-verified. You can fast-forward through months of boilerplate work and focus on your beautiful frontend.
When it’s done, simply connect it to the ready-made backend using the API, and you’re good to go.
2 – Reduce overhead and operating costs
BaaS cuts costs in numerous ways.
First, you don’t have to hire expensive technical staff to work on the project. Second, you benefit from a cost-effective low-code cloud solution, eliminating the expense of installing, operating and maintaining physical infrastructure.
Finally, you can get your solution to market faster, and start generating income from it earlier.
3 – Avoid the stress – no technical expertise required
Since the backend is taken care of, you don’t need to hire specialized DevOps staff or full-stack engineers. And even better – you don't need to spend countless hours outside of work brushing up on your backend development skills.
Instead, you can invest more in frontend developers to ensure the UI/UX is of the highest caliber, or reallocate your current technical resources to other business-critical projects.
4 – Maximize ROI with more features and functionality
Many BaaS providers offer out-of-the-box features you can use to differentiate your project with minimal effort.
Most BaaS offerings come pre-equipped with social media integrations and transactional email capabilities – and these can be integrated and automated within your project with ease. (we recommend taking a hub-and-spoke approach with whichever BaaS platform you consider, though.)
Everything is tested and proven, and accessible as a cloud-based service.
5 – Improve security with advanced database management and user management
With BaaS, the service provider is responsible for security and protection.
A robust BaaS offering will provide built-in authentication, role-based access control, encryption and hashing, and backup and recovery features to keep your data safe.
BaaS offerings also include built-in compliance features to eliminate audit headaches and ensure your apps are protected.
6 – Shift your attention to the front-end and focus on building beautiful sites, apps, and tools
Nothing stunts creativity more than getting buried in the technical weeds of development.
BaaS takes care of the grunt work and frees you to focus on what you do best – creating beautiful front-end digital interfaces that delight users.
While most BaaS providers have these advantages, not all of them are created equal. Read this blog post to learn what to look for in a BaaS.
Looking for BaaS providers?
There are some great BaaS providers and BaaS vendors to choose from, but we're admittedly a little biased for one that nails all 6 of those benefits (and more.)
Directus is a completely open-source, extensible and scalable backend toolkit that enables you to quickly build customized digital projects. By layering on top of any database, it streamlines data connectivity and provides a feature-rich toolkit for configuring your backend logic.
“Building out the backend with Directus was really fast, and the platform has everything we needed – security, users, roles, permissions and more. We thought, why bother with building our own stuff – Directus is tested and it just works.”
–Martijn Boland, Software Developer at Taiga.nl.
Why reinvent the wheel every time you roll out a new digital project? Try Directus Cloud and get started building your next data-driven project in minutes.