Software plays a crucial role in driving business growth by delivering an exceptional user experience. However, when it comes to choosing between CRM solutions and SaaS, one question will undoubtedly pop into your mind – whether you should select custom CRM solutions or go for SaaS products? This decision can make or break your business’s ROI, scalability, profitability, and growth. Read this blog thoroughly to understand which one is the perfect fit for your business.
Steve Jobs once said that “Control over the user experience is everything.” Even studies show that approximately 64% of companies experience regret after choosing a SaaS solution. The reason is a lack of flexibility. However, 58% of custom projects run over budget because of poor planning. It clearly states that if you make the wrong call, it can slow down or limit your business growth. Therefore, it is essential to understand which one is suitable for your business. CRM development or SaaS products?
In this blog, we will discuss both the pros and cons of custom CRM software development vs. SaaS solutions. It will help you decide what is the right fit for your business.
What are Custom CRM Solutions?
Custom CRM is a bespoke CRM that is specifically developed and designed to meet your business’s unique requirements. In simple terms, custom CRM solutions are built from scratch just for YOU.
Pros of Custom CRM Software
- It offers you full customization as they are built specifically for your business goals and processes.
- Unique features of custom CRM solutions give your business an opportunity to stand out.
- It lets you take control over your data, scalability, and features.
- A custom CRM software eliminates recurring subscription costs over time.
Cons of Custom CRM Software
- Custom CRM software has a higher upfront cost.
- It takes more development time than a ready-to-use software.
- You need to take maintenance responsibility. Either you need internal or outsourced support.
What are SaaS Solutions?
SaaS stands for Software as a Service. It is pre-built and subscription-based software that is hosted on the cloud. Examples of SaaS tools are Zoho, HubSpot, and Shopify. You pay a monthly or yearly fee to use the platform with limited customization.
Pros of SaaS Solution
- SaaS solutions come with plug-and-play functionalities. So, it gets you running in no time.
- Its pay-as-you-go models help you reduce initial investment.
- It offers hassle-free maintenance because the provider usually handles updates.
- SaaS products are perfect for growing teams as they let you add or remove users whenever needed
Cons of SaaS Solution
- You need to deal with limited customization as you are locked into standardized features.
- Migrating to another system is quite complex and costly.
- You are highly reliant on your provider’s compliance protocols.
- Subscription fees usually grow with usage and time.
Custom CRM Solution Vs SaaS: Which One is Right For Your Business?
Here is the quick comparison of custom CRM solutions vs SaaS solutions. It will help you decide which one is right for your business.
Feature
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Upfront cost
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Ongoing cost
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Time to Market
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Customization Level
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Maintenance
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Long-Term ROI
Custom Software
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High
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Maintenance, scaling, and upgrades
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Longer
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Full control over all features and design
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You can manage internally or hire an external team.
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It is potentially higher if it is designed and implemented effectively
SaaS
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Low
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Subscription fees may rise if the product/tool usage is increased
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Faster
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Limited personalization options
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It is handled completely by the provider.
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It can decrease if the subscription costs grow over time.
Which Questions to Ask Before Deciding?
You need to ask the following questions before deciding:
- How unique are your business processes?
- Can you afford the higher upfront investment for long-term ROI?
- Do you need complete control and data ownership?
- How quickly do you need to go live?
- What’s your long-term business vision?
Custom CRM Software Vs SaaS Solution: Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Custom Software If:
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You need deep customization.
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You want full ownership of the code.
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Your workflows are complex or unique.
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You want to scale without licensing limits.
Choose SaaS If:
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You’ve just started.
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You need a temporary or low-cost solution.
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Your processes are standard.
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Setup speed is critical.
Oddeven Infotech: Your Software Strategy Partner
Whether you want to go for a SaaS product or invest in custom CRM software development, our team at Oddeven Infotech can guide you.
We specialize in:
- Custom software development for small to medium-sized and enterprise businesses.
- CRM and ERP development
- Mobile app development
- Web design
- Digital marketing
- SaaS consultation and integration
- Business process mapping
Are you Still Confused? Let’s Talk
The decision whether you should use custom CRM solutions or SaaS depends on your business priorities, requirements, technical needs, and development strategy. SaaS is quick, cheap, and requires little IT input, which is perfect for startups, companies, and small groups that require fast deployment.
On the flip side, custom CRM software development provides you with unparalleled scalability, control, and flexibility. Therefore, it is best suited for businesses with complex workflows, compliance requirements, or a vision of long-term competitive advantage.
In short, the best one is not the one that is better in general, but is the one that perfectly suits your requirements currently and your future plans. SaaS may be a good fit if you want to start working quickly and have a tight budget. However, custom CRM solutions always provide more value in the long term due to their scalability and flexibility.
If you are still confused and need help making the right choice, Oddeven Infotech, the best CRM software development company, can help you. Whether you want a full-scale custom CRM software or want to extend the capability of your existing SaaS tool, you can contact us for a FREE consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SaaS Cheaper than Custom CRM Software?
SaaS solutions should be less expensive to implement because you pay the subscription fee. However, these expenses may increase when you require additional functionality, more users, or more storage space. On the flip side, custom CRM software is more expensive to start up because they are most cost-effective in the long run when it is aligned with your business development.
Is it Possible to Develop SaaS and then Transition to a Custom CRM solution?
Yes, generally, many companies prefer SaaS when they want to test their ideas fast. And, whenever they move to custom CRM software as their needs grow more sophisticated. The trick is to ensure that your data can be transferred easily and to plan the switch in a way that does not cause any hiccups in the operations.
Is Custom CRM Software or SaaS more Secure?
Through a custom CRM solution, you can create security measures that perfectly suit your data sensitivity and regulatory needs. On the flip side, SaaS vendors adhere to standard security procedures that are applicable to most companies. However, it may not be sufficient in industries with unique data protection requirements or stringent compliance requirements.
Which has a Higher ROI in the Long Run?
A custom CRM solution typically offers a higher ROI in the long term because it is scalable and tailored to meet your business objectives.
What is the Level of Integration of SaaS with Other Software as Compared to Custom Solutions?
Generally, SaaS products come with an API, and they can be easily integrated through popular platforms, but this customization is not extensive. On the other hand, custom CRM software can be developed to integrate with any tool or current system that your business depends on, and is more flexible.
