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Hiring a Salesforce App Developer vs. Buying
from AppExchange: What’s Right for You?
One of the most effective ways growing companies are solving this today is by hiring a skilled
Salesforce app developer to build scalable, custom apps directly within their Salesforce
environment.
The need for scalable CRM solutions is more pressing than ever. According to a recent IDC report,
65% of mid-sized enterprises are investing in custom CRM tools to meet evolving operational
demands and data complexity. Off-the-shelf tools don’t always offer the flexibility or integration depth
required, especially when you're working across teams, channels, and systems.
This brings us to a common dilemma:
Should you buy a prebuilt app from Salesforce AppExchange or hire a Salesforce developer
to build something custom?
Let’s walk through both paths and see when each one makes business sense.

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AppExchange Apps: Convenient, But Not Always a Perfect Fit
The AppExchange is designed to help Salesforce users plug gaps quickly. Whether you need e-
signature functionality, invoice automation, or email integrations, there’s usually an app ready to
install.
For teams that need a fast fix or aren’t dealing with complex workflows, AppExchange works well.
The setup is fast, support is often built in, and you don’t have to worry about code or ongoing
maintenance.
But here’s the catch: these apps are built for the masses. They serve the lowest common
denominator of use cases. So if your internal processes are even slightly non-standard, you’ll
probably end up bending your workflows to match how the app works, not the other way around.
Over time, this leads to clunky workarounds, missed automation opportunities, and teams spending
too much time figuring out how to make someone else’s tool fit your business model.
Hiring a Salesforce App Developer: Built Around Your Workflow
When you hire a Salesforce app developer, you’re not just adding functionality; you’re building
something that fits exactly how your business works.
Custom Salesforce apps allow you to streamline processes that are unique to your team, automate
actions across different systems, and ensure that your data flows without friction. Whether it’s a
custom quoting engine, territory management tool, or a dashboard that consolidates data from
multiple objects, a skilled developer can build it to spec.
This approach isn’t just about customization, it’s about strategic alignment. Instead of forcing your
team to adapt to a generic tool, you’re designing a solution that scales with you.
You’re also future-proofing your CRM environment by creating something maintainable and
extensible down the line.
So, When Does Custom App Development Make Sense?
Here’s where custom development shines:
●
If your workflows span multiple teams, involve third-party systems, or need precise
automation logic, an AppExchange app might not cut it. These are situations where hiring a
Salesforce app developer isn’t just beneficial but necessary as well.
● Also, if you’re planning to turn your internal tool into a revenue-generating product on
AppExchange later, a developer with AppExchange publishing experience can guide you
through that path.

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Even mid-sized businesses are making the shift. We’re seeing more teams move from piecing
together multiple apps to investing in one cohesive custom app that handles their CRM needs end-
to-end.
But What About Timelines and Budgets?
That’s a valid concern. A custom Salesforce app will take longer to build than installing something
prebuilt. It also requires more upfront planning, collaboration, and testing.
But here's the flip side:
Many businesses end up paying for AppExchange apps that they outgrow in six months. They spend
time re-training teams, switching apps, or running dual systems. So while custom development may
look like a bigger investment on paper, the long-term efficiency, flexibility, and ROI are often much
stronger.
A Common Hybrid Approach
Interestingly, many teams today don’t fully choose one or the other. They’ll use AppExchange apps
for commodity features like document generation or calendar syncing and build custom solutions for
their core operations.
That way, they get the speed of prebuilt tools where it makes sense, and the control of custom apps
where it counts.
It’s not about which path is better; it’s about which path serves your goals better.
Final Thoughts
The best option varies based on your current stage, team complexity, and how essential the
functionality is.
If your Salesforce needs are evolving and standard apps are starting to feel like patchwork, it’s
probably time to explore custom development. A skilled Salesforce app developer can help you
move past short-term fixes and into a scalable, future-ready solution.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something quick and your workflow is simple, AppExchange
might get the job done just fine.
Still not sure? Start by listing what your ideal Salesforce experience looks like. Then assess whether
a prebuilt app gets you close, or if building it right the first time will save you more in the long run.
Need help weighing your options? Speak to our Salesforce app development team at Synexc.
We’ll help you map your requirements and decide whether a custom app or a curated AppExchange
solution makes the most sense for your business today and tomorrow.