Build vs. Buy In-App Chat: Which Option Is Best for You?
Overview:
You’ve decided that you want to add chat features to your app. Now what? If you look at both options, you’ll be able to find the right solution for you. If you take the time to compare build vs. buy in-app chat, it will be much easier for you to decide how you should proceed.
Buying Is Incredibly Easy
If you want to keep your stress levels in check, and if you have a lot on your plate, likely, you won’t find a better option for buying. A lot of the hard work involved with adding chat functionality will be taken care of for you.
Buying chat API and SDK is the fastest option, and it’s the option that won’t give you a lot of headaches. Buying is incredibly simple, and if you have a lot to do, it’s likely the best way for you to add these features to your app.
Building Gives You More Control
If you want complete control over what you do with your app, the building is your best option. While buying the framework you need will still give you customization options, building things from scratch is the only way to maintain full control.
If you have specific ideas in mind and can’t bring that vision to life with a chat SDK, you may want to consider building. However, if you’re not looking for something specific, you might find that the better option is to buy.
Building Takes More Time
If you’re pressed for time, building a problem isn’t going to be the right choice for you. It will take time to do everything from scratch, and if you don’t have the time to do that, you’ll be much better off buying.
If time isn’t an issue for you, and you don’t mind putting the effort in, you can move forward with building everything on your own. If you don’t feel like you have the time to develop your app and want to finish things quickly, you can save a lot of time by buying a framework.
Buying Still Gives You Options
If you do choose to buy a chat API or SDK, you’ll still have options. You won’t be locked into doing things in a specific way. Instead, if you look at the advantages of using chat API, you’ll be able to look at a range of options and decide on right API for your app.
In many cases, people assume that they won’t have any real choices to buy the framework for their app’s chat functionality. Thankfully, this isn’t true. You’ll be a little more limited if you buy, but you’ll still have plenty of choices.
Buying Is Better for Beginners
Before it was possible to buy a chat framework for an app, it was a lot less common to see these features in an app. Chat features can take time to develop, and they’re not always easy to create. Thankfully, even if you’re a beginner, you can figure out precisely what you need to do when you buy a framework.
Frameworks are created with beginners in mind. Even if you have minimal app development experience, you’ll figure out exactly what you need to do and add the features you want for your app.
Both Building and Buying Offer Flexibility
When you build your app, you’ll naturally have plenty of flexibility. However, you’ll also be able to enjoy some flexibility if you choose to buy. You’ll be able to compare options and find something that is right for you. This also means you’ll have some flexibility when it comes to budget.
As chat features have increased in popularity, the number of options on the market has increased. There’s a very good chance that you’ll be able to find precisely what you’re looking for. For example, if you want something that works with the React framework, you’ll be able to find exactly that.
Building Isn’t Necessarily the Most Affordable Option
People often assume that they’ll save money if they do everything on their own. In many situations, however, you’ll find that this isn’t true. Building an app takes time, and it’s important to remember that your time has value. When you’re looking at the costs of buying, you should compare that against the time costs of building an app.
If you need to seek out training and resources to build these features yourself, you’ll have to take those costs into account as well. Look at what you’re likely to spend if you buy and compare it against the building cost.
Conclusion
Don’t just assume that building or buying is best for you. Instead, look at build vs. buy in-app chat. If you look at both options, you’ll be able to make the best decision for your needs. You’ll be able to make a final decision that works for both you and your app.
