In recent months, a massive online shopping platform has become a hot topic, offering products at incredibly low prices, setting new standards for efficient e-commerce across the globe. Reflecting on a similar platform that, while initially thriving, is now less functional, we realize that e-commerce offers countless opportunities, immense possibilities, but also significant challenges.
Of course, it’s natural to aspire to compete with the giants and aim high, but starting with smaller steps is essential. This article will attempt to answer a question that undoubtedly troubles many who have ventured into e-commerce: Is it better to build your own platform or purchase an existing one? Opinions vary, so this text aims to inform you and provide some guidance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying
If we take the example of any other product, such as a car, purchasing a new one initially shows all its strengths. However, we rarely think about hidden flaws, which can later become important. When buying an e-commerce platform, the advantages are clear. A faster start to business is why many choose this route. Proven technology and system stability are attractive, along with regular support and frequent updates from the vendor.
However, facing the downsides often comes later. If the platform cannot be tailored to your specific business needs, it can create a vicious cycle. Licensing and maintenance costs can outweigh the initial investment, and dependence on the vendor for future upgrades and support can be another drawback that often discourages buyers. It’s up to the consumer to weigh these aspects carefully and make the final decision.
What About Customization?
When it comes to ingenuity, this is precisely where it comes into play. That’s why we should first highlight the potential drawbacks of this decision. The initial costs during the development phases are high, and the time required to develop the platform can be a challenging factor for some. The risk of technical issues and security vulnerabilities is greater, which is why a strong focus on technical experts and continuous maintenance is essential.
It is worth mentioning here that experts can always be those who are trained for such operations and whose company expertise is precisely in maintaining custom platforms. Upgrading or building a proprietary platform offers complete control over functionalities and design. The flexibility in implementing specific requirements, as well as the potential for innovation, is the ultimate prize that entrepreneurs often reach for.
Her Majesty – Integration
Customer Relationship Management could be somewhat awkwardly translated as “management of customer relations.” It is an essential tool for successfully managing customer relationships. CRM systems enable the storage and analysis of vast amounts of customer-related data, contributing to a better understanding of user needs and a deeper analysis of their behavior. In e-commerce, CRM has been a true revolution, as it tracks all interactions, identifies trends, and helps tailor marketing strategies. In some of our previous blogs, we have already mentioned that M&I System has become a credible ally and a licensed partner of the leading CRM platform—Salesforce. The advantages of Salesforce for personalizing the user experience lie in its numerous functionalities that can significantly enhance customer interactions. By utilizing real-time data, the platform analyzes rapid changes in customer behavior. Personalizing communication based on past interactions increases customer loyalty and satisfaction. Automated marketing campaigns and sales processes reduce manual work and improve team efficiency.
For this reason, many businesses choose to integrate their existing e-commerce platform with Salesforce CRM. The benefits of such integration include data centralization, increased efficiency, improved analytics, and an enhanced user experience.
CRM integration can provide a significant competitive advantage, making it a highly logical decision. Since 2020, M&I System has specialized in Service Cloud, Sales Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Community Cloud—key components of Salesforce—leveraging its expertise to deliver solutions for both domestic and international clients.
Initial and Long-Term Costs
One of the key factors in deciding between purchasing or building an e-commerce platform is, undoubtedly, the cost.
When it comes to purchasing a ready-made platform, licensing is the primary expense. Depending on the platform, this payment can be either a one-time fee or a recurring cost. Implementation costs should also be taken into account, whether related to installation or customization of the platform.
On the other hand, building a custom platform comes with costs related to hiring software engineers and development teams, designing the user interface and user experience (UI/UX), as well as testing functionalities—these are just the starting points.
For both purchased and custom-built platforms, maintenance, upgrades, scalability, and security costs will remain necessary expenses in the long run. There are also hidden costs associated with purchasing a platform, primarily in terms of customization. Adapting the platform to specific business needs often requires additional effort and investment. Additionally, employee training for working with the new platform can also be a decisive factor in the decision-making process.
As for unexpected costs when developing a platform from scratch, technical issues and development delays can stretch the budget further. Furthermore, higher maintenance costs are often associated with the complexity of a custom-built solution.
Where to Save?
Regardless of the industry we operate in, and especially in business, cost savings are not to be overlooked. If there’s an opportunity to reduce expenses without making significant sacrifices or drastically altering the course of action, why not take advantage of it? When it comes to saving costs when purchasing a platform, time savings can lead to a faster return on investment. Additionally, lower technical support costs—thanks to vendor-provided assistance—can be a significant benefit.
On the other hand, long-term savings are one of the advantages of building a custom platform, as it eliminates licensing and subscription fees. A platform tailored precisely to business needs can also reduce operational inefficiencies, making workflows more streamlined.
Several factors influence overall costs, including:
- Business size (larger companies have different requirements and budgets),
- Technical complexity of the solution,
- Scalability for future expansion, and
- Long-term business vision, including growth and development plans.
A comprehensive cost analysis is crucial for making an informed decision. Understanding all cost components, including hidden expenses and potential savings, ensures better financial planning and budgeting.
Time is Money
Never underestimate the value of time. The timeframe for implementation is a crucial factor, making it essential to compare the advantages and drawbacks of both pre-built and custom solutions. Faster implementation, standardized processes, and predictable timeframes are the advantages of a pre-built platform. When it comes to custom solutions, the process is slower, but clear requirements and goals, team experience, and the use of pre-existing modules can accelerate it.
The importance of planning includes risk identification and securing the necessary resources—technical, financial, and human. Setting realistic deadlines, maintaining flexibility, and continuous monitoring are universal recommendations for establishing any e-commerce platform.
Salesforce and M&I Hand in Hand
Research shows that over 90% of customers are drawn to brands that personalize their products and services. In modern business, a strategic decision that makes a significant difference in market positioning is the shift of the entire operation towards listening to customer needs, while the product itself becomes something that is simply expected. This customer-centric approach, alongside continuous product, process, and sales development, involves reviewing and improving all three aspects, but from the perspective of the end consumer.
To provide a unique and personalized experience, M&I Systems Group implements Salesforce tools that enable companies to adopt a holistic, “360-degree” approach to business, as well as insights into the customer journey, which guide further strategic decisions. Creating such an ecosystem is applicable to any type and size of company. By synchronizing all teams within the system, timely information flow is ensured, along with seamless operation.
