One of the most frequent questions we get: should we build a custom plugin for this, or use a standard one?
Our internal rule has three checks:
**1. Is the logic core to the business?** The diskho.se configurator was. If the logic is central to how customers buy — build custom.
**2. Does it tolerate standard solutions changing under you?** Plugin vendors change APIs, change pricing models, ship buggy updates. For business-critical logic, that’s a risk we rarely accept.
**3. Do you have resources to maintain it for five years?** Custom isn’t a one-time cost. Budget about a third of the build cost in maintenance per year.
If all three are yes — build custom. If any is no — start with a standard solution and rebuild when you must. We did exactly that with one early client: standard WooCommerce plugin for two years, then custom when volume forced the move.