Building In-House vs. Purchasing a Solution: What’s Best for Renewals?

December 2, 2024

Renewals are essential for SaaS growth, offering predictable revenue, reduced churn, and stronger customer loyalty. However, managing renewals effectively isn’t always straightforward—it requires accurate data, timely updates, and operational precision to maintain reliable forecasts.

At this stage of complexity, businesses face a critical decision: should they build a custom in-house solution or purchase a ready-made system? Each option has unique benefits and challenges, depending on your needs and resources.

This blog explores the pros and cons of both approaches to help you decide which path best supports your business goals.

Decision: Build or Buy?

Building In-House: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Customization: Fully tailored to your business processes.
  • Control: Complete ownership over the system and its evolution.
  • Integration: Seamlessly aligns with your existing tech stack.

Cons:

  • Time & Resources: High investment in development and expertise.
  • Maintenance: Requires ongoing effort from internal teams.
  • Scalability Risks: Systems may need rework as your business grows.

Building in-house is ideal when you need a unique solution and have the resources to maintain it long-term.

Purchasing a Solution: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Speed: Ready to implement with minimal setup time.
  • Proven Features: Includes best practices and pre-built functionality.
  • Vendor Support: Offers updates, training, and troubleshooting.

Cons:

  • Limited Customization: May not fit every unique need.
  • Recurring Costs: Subscription or licensing fees can add up.
  • Integration Challenges: Potential gaps with existing systems.

Purchasing is best when speed and simplicity are your top priorities.

Which Option Is Right for You?

The decision ultimately depends on your business needs and resources. If customization, control, and long-term cost savings are critical, building in-house might be the right path. On the other hand, if speed and ease of use are more important, a pre-built solution could be the better choice.

Regardless of your decision, the key is having a system in place that ensures renewals are managed effectively, enabling sustainable growth for your business.

Curious about building a renewal process that works? Explore our Renewal Architecture Guide for Salesforce—a living Notion resource filled with actionable insights. No forms, no downloads—just practical advice to implement today.