Comparing in house solutions and saas for Affiliate Marketing : Make the right choice

In the evolving field of technology, one of the toughest decisions that businesses have to make is to choose whether to form SAAS or have in-house solutions for affiliate marketing.

When in the need of affiliate tracking software, the company has to decide whether to go for SAAS or build in-house solutions. This can be very challenging as both of the solutions have their own pros and cons.

 

Understanding In house solutions

In house solution means development, deployment and management of the software within an organization. This approach allows a greater control of the organization on the overall software.

Benefits of in house solutions:-

Data control and security : 

In an in house solution for affiliate marketing, the organization has full control over the data and security. The organization can take strong security measures and have full power over data.

Customization :

In an in house solution for affiliate marketing, you get a better customization opportunity. You can tailor the software according to your own preference.

Predictable costs:

Cost is very much predictable in an in house solution . 

Integration capabilities:

In house solutions can easily integrate with the existing system which facilitates work flow and improves efficiency.

Drawbacks of in house solutions:- 

High initial investment: 

In house solutions require investment in terms of I.T personnel, hardware and software licenses.

Maintenance:

Regular updates and troubleshooting problems require a dedicated I.T team and can be time consuming.

Scalability challenges: 

Scaling an in house solution can be complex and requires additional investment as the business grows.

Technical Expertise:

Building an in house solution requires a skilled technical team. Hiring such a team can lead to higher costs.

Resource intensiveness:

Building an in house solution requires allocation of a lot of resources. It requires a lot of time and energy.

Exploring SAAS (Software as a service)

In saas, you don’t have personal software, instead you take it from someone else. You don't have to go through the various processes involved in the making of the software, you simply pay money and buy the software.

Benefits Of SAAS:

Cost - efficient:

Saas is cost efficient as compared to the in-house system. There is absolutely no maintenance cost or other expenditure.

Easy Accessibility:

Saas is easily accessible, you can access it from anywhere.

Rapid Deployment:

Saas solutions can be implemented immediately and quickly, saving time.

Automatic Updates:

Saas providers automatically update everything from maintenance to security patches.

Drawbacks Of SAAS:

Data Security Concerns:

Storing data on external servers requires security concerns, especially for businesses dealing with sensitive information.

Limited Customization:

SAAS may offer customization options but it may not align with organizations needs and requirements.

Dependency on providers:

Once you choose saas, you are dependent on the provider. Any disruption from their side can directly impact your business.

Factors to consider before choosing:

Business goal and strategy:

Find a system that aligns with your business goals and strategy. For example, if customization is essential to your competitive advantage, you should choose an in house solution for affiliate marketing.

Time to market:

If speed is a priority, then you should go for SAAS as because it offers quick deployment.

Budget and Cost:

You need to evaluate the entire budget and cost before making the decision. SAAS might give cost predictability but an in house solution is good for long term cost control.

Data sensitivity:

If you are considering the sensitivity of your data, an in house solution for affiliate marketing might be a better option because it provides complete security and control over data.

Hybrid Solution:

Hybrid solution offers a middle ground by combining elements of both approaches. Organizations can develop core functionalities in house while integrating specialized SAAS applications for specific tasks.

Conclusion

A complete cost benefit analysis needs to be done, before making a choice to go for which. A company has to go through each and every aspect before making the final decision. Analyzing the budget and other factors are very important to make the right decision.

Thus, choose what suits you the best.