Every business needs software to even get started nowadays. Even when it's only text messages and Venmo, it's still relying on software apps. I'm deciding between three options: All In One applications, wiring together multiple cloud app and roll your own.
#1 Roll Your Own: Since I've owned a software company for many years - including a Saas web app for small business - one of the key decisions starting a new company recently was the software platforms we'd use to operate and scale. No chance it would Roll Your Own (i.e. build custom software from Day 1). That turns you into a software development company with all the inherent problems that come with running it. Bad idea.
#2 Wiring Together Multiple Cloud Apps: There's tons of excellent third party cloud based applications nowadays with excellent support. Most are dirt cheap monthly subscriptions that can easily integrate with each other through built-in integrations, built-in APIs and services like Zapier. You can have JotForm automatically populate a CRM like HubSpot or JetCRM, push customer information into an invoicing application like Freshbooks, have Gusto payroll data feed automatically into Quickbooks Online. Stuff like that. That was (and still is) my plan. It's takes more effort to research each building block and wire it to another one, but it gives you a lot of flexibility for building out a system. If something doesn't work well or doesn't scale easily, it's not a big deal to swap it out for another similar building block that works better. Kind of like building something with Lego blocks.
#3 All In One Industry Apps: These are industry specific packages designed to be the Swiss knife of software. It does everything you could want to operate your business. Or at least claims to do that. More often than not, you'll find shortcomings that are difficult or impossible to work around. It often means signing a long-term service agreement. Support can be sketchy because these tend to be small business running on a legacy code base without the big money to upgrade everything or start with a blank slate. It's often a closed system and difficult to integrate with modern cloud based applications. Although it's heavily customized, the software used to run this forum is a good example.
I hate, hate, hate the idea of relying on a single vendor to operate the business. Dan Kennedy preaches endlessly about the dangers of "ONE". Yet I recently found an industry package that comes across as extremely well done, great functionality, reasonably good looking and affordable. If I hired a development team, it has almost everything I'd scope out myself. It has a pretty sizable customer base. Don't know about support quality yet.
How would you go about deciding between #2 and #3? What kind of safeguards could be used with Option #3?
Thanks,
Chris
#1 Roll Your Own: Since I've owned a software company for many years - including a Saas web app for small business - one of the key decisions starting a new company recently was the software platforms we'd use to operate and scale. No chance it would Roll Your Own (i.e. build custom software from Day 1). That turns you into a software development company with all the inherent problems that come with running it. Bad idea.
#2 Wiring Together Multiple Cloud Apps: There's tons of excellent third party cloud based applications nowadays with excellent support. Most are dirt cheap monthly subscriptions that can easily integrate with each other through built-in integrations, built-in APIs and services like Zapier. You can have JotForm automatically populate a CRM like HubSpot or JetCRM, push customer information into an invoicing application like Freshbooks, have Gusto payroll data feed automatically into Quickbooks Online. Stuff like that. That was (and still is) my plan. It's takes more effort to research each building block and wire it to another one, but it gives you a lot of flexibility for building out a system. If something doesn't work well or doesn't scale easily, it's not a big deal to swap it out for another similar building block that works better. Kind of like building something with Lego blocks.
#3 All In One Industry Apps: These are industry specific packages designed to be the Swiss knife of software. It does everything you could want to operate your business. Or at least claims to do that. More often than not, you'll find shortcomings that are difficult or impossible to work around. It often means signing a long-term service agreement. Support can be sketchy because these tend to be small business running on a legacy code base without the big money to upgrade everything or start with a blank slate. It's often a closed system and difficult to integrate with modern cloud based applications. Although it's heavily customized, the software used to run this forum is a good example.
I hate, hate, hate the idea of relying on a single vendor to operate the business. Dan Kennedy preaches endlessly about the dangers of "ONE". Yet I recently found an industry package that comes across as extremely well done, great functionality, reasonably good looking and affordable. If I hired a development team, it has almost everything I'd scope out myself. It has a pretty sizable customer base. Don't know about support quality yet.
How would you go about deciding between #2 and #3? What kind of safeguards could be used with Option #3?
Thanks,
Chris
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
