When it comes to apps specifically tailored for direct selling companies, there are two options to consider:

Option 1 is paying to use an existing app.

You could pay for an app that has already been developed exclusively for direct selling companies.

There are several benefits:

You won’t have to wait too long for the actual launch. The cost to launch is minimal. You might be charged a small fee per distributor or get a fixed price.
This option is very straightforward, as all you’re really doing is using the app, not maintaining it.

Option 2 is developing your own app.

The pros of this option are basically complete control over the app’s design and features as well as complete ownership over the code.

However, you might find that the cons of creating your own app actually outweigh the pros.
Here are a few of them:

Higher Cost

You might think you’re saving more money by developing your own app rather than paying the monthly cost of an app that’s already been developed for your direct selling company.
Unfortunately, in the long run, you’ll find that this isn’t necessarily the case.

How much would it cost to use an existing app versus actually finding a team of developers, designers, and coders?

Even if you hire an in-house team to develop your app, your expenditure does not end there.

Your monthly fees for hosting, security, and improvements can easily add up to the tens of thousands of dollars.

When you develop your own app, here’s another thing that might happen…

Focus is Shifted

The app development process is not only costly; it is extremely complex.
Bear in mind that two versions of the app need to be created, too—one for Android and one for iOS.

Of course, you’ll have the senior developers and junior developers to handle a bulk of what needs to be done, but as the business owner, you’re expected to oversee the process. You’ll also need to take charge in terms of getting the app approved and distributed.

With this huge project at the forefront of your mind, your focus is taken away from actually growing your direct selling company. You’ll have less resources to push towards improving the company, as a lot of your existing time, money, and manpower will be spent on the app itself.

Continuous Maintenance

Creating an app is not a one-and-done kind of deal.

It is a long-term investment that will require continuous effort and extra resources.
Money must be spent to update it, so that it continues to work on newer Android and iOS systems.

You’ll have to pay for beta-testing and patch updates. And in the off-chance that your existing team cannot handle the current app maintenance process, you’ll have to hire new developers and coders to help with the updates.

The worst part, perhaps, is that despite all the money you’re spending, you won’t even be able to predict your ROI immediately. You can never accurately predict how well an app will be received, how hard you’ll have to market it, and how many users will actually pay to use it. Data can be retrieved, and patterns can be reviewed, but overall, creating an app makes it hard to pinpoint ROI.

Generally speaking, there are certainly some pros about creating an app. On the whole, however, it’s much more sensible and practical to pay for an app that has already been developed for your direct selling company.