Node JS Benefits from a Business Standpoint [2024]

Introduction

Asked for advice on choosing the best technology for a software development project, experts often answer “It depends”. That’s true, it always depends on a project’s specifics.

But Node JS slightly slips out of this rule. It seems like it fits a variety of projects, and brings a lot of value for both startups and corporations.

If you want to grow your business in a smart way (test concepts fast, learn, adapt, change), some Node’s qualities are impossible to ignore.

So, to the point, what Node JS has to offer for young companies and why to consider it for a project?

(Note: This chapter focuses mainly on small companies – there’s also one specifically about Node JS for corporations.)

Node JS Benefits

We can’t say that Node is better than Ruby or PHP. But there are some grounds it excels. Let’s look at the business benefits of Node.

Note: to avoid comparing apples to oranges: when we speak of Node JS, we’re actually thinking of a set of programming language and a framework like Ruby + Ruby on Rails, PHP + Symfony2, Javascript/Node.js + Meteor.js.

#1 Node JS provides faster deliver

Node JS helps to deliver and test concepts faster. It is especially useful for startups – allows to focus on fast delivery of prototypes and follow lean startup methodology. However, every (especially new) product can benefit from fast delivery.

How Node JS achieves that? First, by sharing model code and tests between the client (say browser) and server, which constitutes a significant efficiency for a developer.

Second, Node JS excels as a “framework” for apps providing real-time experience or streaming. This relates to features like chats, transactions, reservations or some forms of advertising. Handling these in a JavaScript-based event-driven environment is easy. Sometimes even too easy.

With Node JS there is no mismatch between the backend and the frontend in terms of communication. That is, they work the same on both sides (JSON everywhere).

None of the above are game changers but they all save time. (We’re intentionally not mentioning ready components available via NPM, as other platforms also offer tools like Composer or Gem. Though, we do like NPM more).

#2 Node JS enables teams to pivot faster

Changing fundamental parts of the business model as a process of measuring and learning is especially essential for startups. But all products and businesses change from time to time.

Introduction of substantial changes to an application, as a result of business model change, happens smoother when the application model is based on Node’s event-driven model rather than a classic MVC (at least in most cases).

Faster pivoting is also partially related to Node’s partner in crime, MongoDB. As MongoDB is schema-less, we find the startup data storing significantly faster to alter when new business processes need to be handled by the application.

#3 Node JS scales easily

We do not find the Node.js/Javascript TECHNOLOGY to be more scalable than PHP, Ruby or Python. In fact, in some cases it might be even less scalable.

However, the benefit of Node JS is that is simply WAY easier to scale. Meaning that is close to scalable just out-of-the-box – you do not have to do the magic start handling the scale.

Conclusion

Decision whether to do a project using a particular technology is hard. However, keeping your company business-wise is an important technical requirement. If so, Node JS might just be the right suit for your company.

What’s next? If you want to discover why big corporations choose Node JS so eagerly, proceed to the next chapter below.