It’s inevitable. At some point, most businesses are going to ask the question: Should you buy or build a business software you need? 

Perhaps you’re a thriving startup that’s looking to scale. Maybe you’re an established corporation looking to replace what you’ve got. Or perhaps your business has finally outgrown its paper processes. 

Many companies have been in this same situation. On the one hand, buying software has its upfront perks. You’re investing in a proven solution that other companies also trust. However, out-of-the-box software also has its hidden downsides. For example, it’s unlikely that there’s software out there that has everything you need. You also have no control over the software’s future roadmap. Future updates might not align with your company’s needs. 

Compare this to building custom software. When you build custom software, you’re able to build a solution that fits perfectly into your processes. You have total control. Plus, you don’t have to worry that future updates will remove key features or add unnecessary ones. In the past, though, building software meant utilizing IT service management. This meant high costs. It also meant using up critical internal resources. 

But are these assumptions still true today?

The no-code wave has forever changed the equation. Companies like Blaze.tech allow you to build custom software without writing code. So if you’re looking to buy or build business software, here’s what to keep in mind. 

Buy or Build Business Software: Factors to Consider

There are pros and cons to both approaches. It’s important to remember that this is more than a short-term decision. Whether you buy or build business software, this isn’t just another one-off project. Rather, this will be an ongoing initiative that shapes your business for years to come.

Below are key questions to guide your decision making process.

1) What Is Your Need for Control?

When you buy software, you have little to no control over the software itself. Sure, you can customize a few settings and preferences, but the framework has been predetermined by the provider. Some organizations are okay with out-of-the-box software as long as it’s a decent fit. 

For other companies, a “decent fit” isn’t good enough. Think about it this way: “Big box” software providers are trying to address the common needs across all businesses. This usually means generic solutions. If you need something more customized and aligned with your internal processes, then building software is the better option. 

2) What Are Your Security Needs?

There are different levels of security. Of course, every business wants to keep client data safe. But some industries have higher standards than others. Healthcare organizations, for example, have to follow specific guidelines for HIPAA compliance. 

For those looking to buy solutions, be sure to ask about the security features. Do they offer enterprise-level security? Can you edit roles and permissions for each user?

While off-the-shelf software can certainly be secure, nothing beats a custom solution. Not only do you have total control over your security, but you can also control integration with other service providers as well as user level access. 

Considering a no-code building solution? 

Choose a platform that prioritizes security. Blaze.tech is HIPAA compliant and runs on SOC2 certified infrastructure. You can SSO, 2FA, and a whole suite of enterprise level security features. 

Low-code doesn’t mean low security. 

3) How Easy Is the Software to Use?

Software should always be easy to use. After all, how can you make the most out of your software if it’s difficult to navigate? Always prioritize a user-friendly design. Easy software also means an ease of deployment.

Is the software going to help with customer support? Then make sure that the customer-side is just as easy to use!

This is about more than convenience. Keep in mind that software can come with “hidden costs.”

For example, software that is difficult to use has a hidden cost of a steep learning curve. The longer it takes employees to learn the software, the more it costs the company. These hidden costs can quickly add up. Something as simple as HR onboarding can turn into a money pit. Project management might be inefficient. 

So whether you buy or build business software, consider the design. It’s more than just aesthetics. It’s about practicality as well.

The benefit of low-code/no-code technology is that you can design the software to look how you want. You can tweak your dashboard until it’s just the way you want it. You and your company are in charge of your internal apps and tools! A no-code platform should let you drag-and-drop elements exactly where you want them. A custom solution can truly be easy.

4) What Is the Total Cost?

There are many considerations when buying a flexible software solution. For example, will you be paying a monthly or annual rate for the software? Does the cost allow for unlimited users or do you have to pay per business user? Will you have to pay a higher fee for certain features?

In the past, there used to be a huge cost difference between whether you should buy or build business software.

For example, building business software used to mean that your company also had to be responsible for IT system maintenance, hardware procurement, and hiring professional coders. No wonder it used to be so expensive!

Fortunately, no-code solutions have changed the game. 

In fact, no-code solutions are now competitively priced with off-the-shelf software. In some cases, they’re even more cost effective.

Blaze.Tech is a solution that allows teams to build custom software without writing any code. Our pricing is as low as $30/user/month. For enterprise clients, Blaze offers advanced solutions with custom pricing. 

5) What Will Ongoing Maintenance Look Like?

When you buy software, you are completely dependent on the vendor. Will they provide ongoing technical support? Do they have a trusted track record in the industry? Are there fees for upgrades? Does the vendor keep up with the latest security threats? Will they update their software accordingly?

These are just some of the questions to ask if you’re considering purchasing software.

Some vendors charge for software upgrades whereas others include it as part of the solution. 

You should also ask these questions if you’re considering building software with a no-code platform. 

Most teams don’t have the resources to build a high-code solution in-house. That would require professional coders and, in some cases, a full-fledged IT department. Opting for a no-code development platform simplifies the process. You can build and deploy your own software and apps without knowing how to code! Platforms like Blaze.Tech make this possible through integration with existing tools and drag-and-drop template designs!

Whether you buy or build business software, you’ll want to choose a solution that provides ongoing maintenance and regular security upgrades. 

6) How Soon Do You Need the Software?

Buying software has lower efficiency barriers. This makes the time to value almost immediate. 

Think about it: Buying SaaS solutions means that the software is usually ready to go right out-of-the-box or off-the-shelf. Once you’ve onboarded the appropriate users, they can begin using the software to make your processes more efficient.

Compare this to building software the old fashioned way. Building high-code software takes a lot longer – but what you lose in time, you make up for in customization. Sure, it might take more resources to iron out engineering needs and hire a team with programming skills, but you’ll get a custom solution. The trade off is worth it to many organizations.

Fortunately, time is less of an issue in the build vs. buy software dilemma.

It depends on which you choose: Building software using professional coders or building software without writing any code (no-code or low-code). Building software from scratch takes longer. This is because there are collaboration barriers to overcome. It’s also because high-code solutions require time to write, test, troubleshoot, and deploy handwritten code.

Compare this to no-code solutions, which can be good to go in as little as a few minutes. Once your integrations are in place, simply drag-and-drop tools where you want them. You can customize your dashboard without writing any code. You can build and deploy apps and software in just as much time, if not faster, than learning out-of-the-box software. 

If time is of the essence, building software using no-code and buying out-of-the-box software will be the fastest solutions. 

Building high-code software through professional coders will give you even more control, but at the expense of time and resources. 

The Ultimate Buy or Build Business Software Checklist

Now that you’ve considered the above questions, you should have a better idea of whether you want to buy or build business software. 

The answer will be different for every business. It depends on your goals and priorities! 

Below is a recap of what to consider:

Build business software when:

• You want more control over the features and usability of your software.
• You want a truly custom solution that fits your unique needs.
• You want something that integrates with your 3rd party point solutions.
• You have a specific vision for what you want.
• You need to prioritize security, scalability, and long-term maintenance.

Buy business software when:

• The software isn’t a key component of your workflow.
• Customization is not essential to your business.
• You need the software deployed quickly.
• You have a limited budget and internal resources.
• You’re fine with the vendor handling maintenance and updates.

Generally speaking, the best option for most businesses is to build their own software.

Here’s the good news: Most concerns about building your own software are issues of the past. Worried about the cost of professional coders? Concerned about the long time to deployment? Not sure whether you can afford to build your own software?

All of these concerns are no longer issues thanks to no-code solutions. 

How No-Code Software Changes the Equation

No-code solutions, like Blaze.Tech, allow you to build software without writing any code. 

You can supercharge your team’s efficiency and accuracy by building your own internal apps. Because you don’t have to write any code, this eliminates the traditional concerns around building business software. You don’t have to hire a professional coder; you can deploy quickly; and it is affordable and scalable!

The best part?

When you opt to build a software solution, you’re getting exactly what your business needs. There’s no bloat or excess features that you’ll never use. The challenge with buying software is that you often have to pay for everything – even if you only need one of the tools. 

Compare this to building your own software. Because you’re building it, the software only has the functionalities that help your team. Since you built it, this means the software can always be modified. Again, you don’t need to know any coding. This means that you are empowering your organization with long-term adaptability and scalability.

Businesses that face the buy or build business software dilemma often find that a no-code solution blends the best of both worlds.

It just comes down to finding the best no-code platform available. 

Blaze.Tech Enables You To Build Custom Software Without Code

Looking for a reliable no-code solution with a trusted track record?

Blaze.Tech is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, major healthcare organizations, and businesses across every industry. From startups to major enterprises, businesses of all shapes and sizes trust Blaze.Tech for their no-code needs.

We’ve simplified the process to three basic steps:

1. Utilize our all-in-one-builder. When we say “all-in-one,” we mean it. All you have to do is drag and drop elements into place. This gives you total control into how you can use the apps and tools that you build. Need help or want more advanced features? Our Implementation Team will help you get your software up and running in no time. You don’t have to worry about having to find and hire reputable professional coders. Our team has your back!
   
   
2. Easily bring in external data. Blaze.Tech has built-in integrations with dozens of the largest 3rd party tools, databases, and resources. From DocuSign to Quickbooks, Shopify to Hubspot, you can easily connect your existing tools into your new software. Again, you don’t have to write a single line of code. Your data will import immediately, and you’ll be able to supercharge the efficiency of your internal teams.
3. Assign user levels and permissions. We empower you to control who can access your software and at what level. Users can be assigned administrative, manager, and author levels. You will always have visibility into who is accessing and modifying your apps. 

Again, it doesn’t matter if you’re a startup looking to scale or a worldwide enterprise. Blaze.Tech is a scalable solution that can fulfill your no-code needs.

The best part?

We prioritize security at every level. We’re HIPAA compliant, which is why major healthcare organizations and Fortune 500 companies trust us. We also offer SSO, 2FA, and a host of other enterprise security features. 

With a no-code solution like Blaze.Tech, you can truly enjoy the best of both worlds.

Ready to learn more? Get started with Blaze.Tech today!