Comparison
Off-the-shelf shop app or custom solution?
Look in your shop system's app store first: if an off-the-shelf app solves the task completely, take the app. A custom solution only pays off where manual work remains despite the app.
Samuel Welte, Software developer
Last updated:
Off-the-shelf app and custom solution compared
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf app | Custom solution |
|---|---|---|
| Task | A standard task | Several steps belong together: photo, text, translation, shop listing |
| Data from the supplier | Arrives clean, for instance as a tidy CSV or Excel file with item numbers | Arrives differently from everyone: PDF price lists, emails, details only on the manufacturer's website |
| Inventory management | Does not need to be integrated | Has to be integrated |
| Fits if | the app solves the task completely | manual work remains every day despite the app |
When is an off-the-shelf app the better choice?
When the task is a standard task and the data arrives clean. An example: your supplier regularly provides a tidy CSV or Excel file with item numbers.
There are off-the-shelf apps for that, for instance in Shopify's app store. They sync stock levels and prices on a schedule. Many of these apps you can try for free first, and they are set up quickly.
When does an off-the-shelf app reach its limits?
As soon as one of these points applies:
- Every supplier delivers differently: PDF price lists, emails, details only on the manufacturer's website.
- Several steps belong together — photo, text, translation, shop listing. That would take three or four apps that do not talk to each other.
- Inventory management has to be integrated.
- The app almost fits — and the missing piece is reworked by hand every day.
When is a custom solution not worth it?
AlpenApps from Feldkirch in Vorarlberg builds custom solutions for online shops. Still: if an off-the-shelf app solves your task completely, you do not need a custom solution. Then take the app.
Our advice in one sentence
Look in the app store first: if an off-the-shelf app solves the task completely, take the app — custom only pays off where manual work remains despite the app.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
- Can I import my supplier's products into my shop automatically?
- Yes. Whether Excel list, PDF, email or the manufacturer's website: the data is collected where it lives and prepared as a finished listing. What you approve goes live.
- My supplier sends stock levels as Excel or CSV. Can that flow into the shop by itself?
- Yes. If the file arrives regularly and cleanly, an off-the-shelf app is often enough. If every supplier delivers differently, you need a custom solution.