Custom B2B webshop vs. SaaS platform comparison

For whom is this comparison relevant?

You asked for quotes from one or more web agencies for a customized B2B webshop. Prices were higher than expected, and so were the processing times. And now you're wondering if there's an alternative that goes live faster, costs less and still fits your specific B2B processes.

This comparison is relevant for: wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers in Belgium and the Netherlands, with 20 to 300 employees, who want a B2B webshop with customer-specific prices and ERP integration.

What customization really costs — including the costs that no one tells you in advance

A web agency quote for a customized B2B webshop shows the construction costs. What's not always included: the costs afterwards.

Cost 1 — Construction costs: €15,000 to €80,000+
A simple B2B webshop with customer-specific prices and an ERP connection costs an average of €15,000 to €40,000 at a Belgian web agency. More complex processes with multiple customer groups, approval flows and extensive portal functionality amount to €80,000 or more.

Cost 2 — Deployment time: 6 to 18 months
The lead time from briefing to going live is at least 6 months for B2B customization. More complex projects take 12 to 18 months. Each month of delay is one month that customers still order by phone and email.

Cost 3 — Maintenance and further development: €5,000 to €20,000+ per year
After going live, each change is a new invoice. New feature? That costs €2,000 to €10,000 and is planned in 3 months. ERP update that breaks the link? Pay again.

Cost 4 — Vendor lock-in
A customized system is built on the technology and architecture of your web agency. If that partner ceases to exist, increases prices or does not have capacity, you are stuck. Switching means building again.

Cost 5 — No ongoing product development
A SaaS platform is constantly evolving: new features, security updates, performance improvements — included in the subscription. Customization stands still unless you pay for further development yourself.

Customization vs. Fonda — an honest overview

Customization wins over full flexibility. Fonda wins on speed, cost, predictability and ongoing product development. For most Belgian SMEs, this decision was made quickly.

When is customization the better choice?

Customization pays off when your business processes are so unique and complex that no standard platform can support them, when you have an internal development team that can maintain the system for a long time, when you prefer a one-off major investment over a monthly subscription, and when an implementation time of 12 to 18 months is acceptable for your planning horizon.

For most Belgian SMEs of 20 to 300 employees, none of these criteria apply.

What Fonda delivers that previously only customized solutions could offer

Ten years ago, a B2B webshop with customer-specific prices and ERP integration did indeed require customization. That has changed. Fonda bundles all the functionality a Belgian wholesaler or distributor needs into one platform that is up and running in 4 to 8 weeks.

• Customer-specific pricing per account, synchronized from your ERP
• Multiple order roles and approval flows per customer account
• Request, manage and convert quotes to order
• Customer portal with invoices, order statuses and account management
• Direct ERP integration with Exact, SAP, Navision, AFAS and more
• PIM for product data and DAM for digital assets — included