Why DIY Search Solutions May Cost More Than You Think (and How to Avoid Common Pitfalls)

Watch Now: Understanding the Hidden Costs of DIY Search Solutions

As businesses seek to improve their search functionality, many are drawn to the idea of building a custom solution in-house. Open-source platforms like Elasticsearch and Solr offer flexibility, and at first glance, a build-it-yourself or do-it-yourself (DIY) approach seems cost-effective. But this initial appeal can quickly fade as the complexities of managing and scaling such a solution become apparent.

Here are a few common challenges companies face when they attempt to build and maintain their own search systems.

The Time Commitment: A Hidden Cost of DIY Search

Building a search solution requires significant time and technical resources. Even with a skilled team and a familiar platform, what might begin as a straightforward project can extend far beyond initial expectations.

• Extended timelines: Search implementations can take 9-12 months or longer, delaying your time to market and potentially affecting your revenue.
• Limited innovation: As your team focuses on maintaining and updating the search system, they may miss out on adopting the latest advancements in search technology and AI.
• Growing technical debt: Temporary fixes accumulate over time, leading to increased maintenance and future headaches.

A statistic that stands out: 30% of engineer time in DIY search projects is spent managing technical debt. This time could be better spent on innovation and growth.

Scalability Challenges: Can Your Solution Keep Up?

While a DIY search solution may work initially, as your data grows, so too does the complexity of managing it. Performance bottlenecks, resource constraints, and scaling challenges become more pronounced as your business expands.

• Performance issues: Slow or inconsistent search results can negatively affect user experience, damaging your brand’s reputation.
• Scaling difficulties: Adding nodes and rebalancing indexes often requires specialized knowledge and significant effort.
• Increased system strain: As data volumes grow, maintaining optimal search performance becomes increasingly resource-intensive.

This struggle with scalability is a common reason businesses begin to reconsider their DIY approach.

Security Risks: Are You Leaving Vulnerabilities Unchecked?

Open-source search platforms are powerful, but they also come with potential security risks. Without constant monitoring and updates, DIY solutions can leave your system exposed to vulnerabilities.

• Endpoint exposure: A simple misconfiguration can open your system to attack.
• Outdated components: Staying on top of software patches and updates is crucial to keeping your system secure.
• Default settings: Relying on default configurations can leave critical gaps in your security.

Given these risks, businesses need to evaluate whether maintaining an in-house search solution is the best use of their resources.

Why a Modern Search Platform May Be the Better Choice

Rather than being bogged down by the complexities of a DIY search solution, many businesses are opting for modern search platforms. These solutions offer pre-built, scalable, and secure search capabilities, allowing teams to focus on innovation and growth.

With platforms like Lucidworks, you can:

• Accelerate time to market: Pre-configured components and AI-driven features reduce development time.
• Easily scale: Handle large datasets and complex queries without sacrificing performance.
• Ensure security: Built-in security measures and regular updates minimize risk.
• Leverage continuous innovation: Stay up-to-date with advancements in search and AI without the maintenance burden.

If you’re interested in learning more about the true costs of DIY search and how a modern platform can benefit your business, read our free ebook, Does Your CX Have a DIY Problem?

Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a no-obligation consultation for a free personalized assessment and discover the potential impact on your business.