Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their very own.
Behind each digital product — whether or not it is a cellular app, an online platform or a SaaS software — lies a basis of instruments and applied sciences that decide the way it’s constructed, the way it scales and the way it survives. This mix is named the know-how stack: programming languages, frameworks, infrastructure, databases and extra.
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that the selection of tech stack is simply as important because the product concept itself. Irrespective of how revolutionary the idea, poor technical implementation can quietly — and shortly — destroy it.
For non-technical founders, the tech stack can really feel like a black field — one thing the dev crew simply “handles.” However here is the entice: early selections typically appear high-quality. Then months later, you understand you have constructed one thing fragile — a product that is onerous to scale, costly to take care of and almost inconceivable to improve with out breaking every thing.
Founders typically make early tech choices based mostly on what feels most sensible — what’s quick, inexpensive, or simple to construct with. And within the quick time period, that works. However the true hazard reveals up later: when the product cannot scale, breaks beneath stress or turns into too pricey to take care of.
Listed here are 4 widespread traps I see founders fall into — and tips on how to keep away from them earlier than they gradual you down.
The clock is ticking
Roughly one-third of the product rescues we have dealt with stemmed from stack-related points, and the following case of a proptech startup will not be an exception
This startup had chosen Rust for its core logic and Xamarin for its cellular app. Rust, whereas highly effective and high-performing, is not well-suited for merchandise that require quick iteration and adaptability. Xamarin, in the meantime, was discontinued in 2023, that means the app was basically outdated earlier than launch.
Worse nonetheless, the structure relied on heavy client-side processing as an alternative of server-side logic, resulting in main bottlenecks as utilization grew. Efficiency dropped, knowledge turned fragmented throughout gadgets and the system began to disintegrate.
Their choices? Rebuild the system totally — or replatform with a special stack. Each pricey. Each painful.
How dangerous stack selections present up
By the point stack-related points develop into seen, the harm has typically already unfold to different elements of the enterprise. This is what that appears like:
- It is troublesome to draw and retain expertise. There are only a few builders utilizing this outdated/uncommon language or framework. Another choice — they’re both incompetent or overprice the companies as a result of scarcity of expert specialists available in the market.
- There isn’t any room for future startup scaling. In the future, you discover that the tech stack you used to construct the minimal viable product (MVP) or prototype abruptly turns into unsuitable for including new functionalities, growing customers or dealing with server load.
- You are patching holes as an alternative of constructing. Whilst you’re continually fixing bugs and makeshift options resulting from poor documentation or lack of neighborhood assist, you are not investing in new options. This instantly impacts your time-to-market and offers opponents a head begin.
Associated: You Can Unleash Most Effectivity and Streamline Your Processes By Doing This One Factor
4 stack traps to keep away from
Too typically, stack choices are made for short-term causes — value, velocity and comfort. However the true menace is long-term: lack of scalability, maintainability and adaptability. These are the 4 commonest patterns I see founders fall into:
1. Selecting familiarity over experience
Many founders default to working with associates, former colleagues or essentially the most “snug” dev crew — even when they don’t seem to be consultants within the tech their product actually wants.
The outcome? Outdated or inappropriate instruments get used as a result of “that is what we all know.” When issues begin to break, private relationships make it tougher to course-correct. Loyalty should not outweigh logic.
2. Chasing traits with out understanding
Simply because a language or framework is stylish does not imply it is proper to your product. Some applied sciences surge in reputation however lack mature ecosystems or long-term assist.
When hype-driven selections meet real-world complexity, issues disintegrate. And in case your core builders go away, discovering replacements turns into a scramble — or worse, inconceivable.
3. Overengineering or chopping too many corners
Founders often concern one excessive however ignore the opposite. On one finish: slap-together MVPs that do not scale. Then again: overly complicated architectures (like microservices for a easy app) that waste money and time.
Both means, you find yourself with tech debt that drains sources or forces a complete rebuild — each of that are avoidable with higher planning.
4. Letting finances dictate your stack
Early-stage startups naturally watch each greenback. However selecting the “most cost-effective” path — low-code instruments, no-code platforms, or underqualified distributors — typically prices extra down the road.
Some dev retailers push particular applied sciences not as a result of they’re proper to your product, however as a result of they have idle groups ready to make use of them. That misalignment results in gradual progress, mounting technical debt, and brittle techniques.
Associated: Why Your Enterprise Ought to Simplify and Consolidate Its Tech Stack
Ultimate phrases
In case your startup has excessive stakes — whether or not it is investor commitments, aggressive scaling plans or a fancy product roadmap — do not gamble on guesswork. I at all times suggest consulting an skilled chief technical officer (CTO) or technical advisors earlier than making irreversible choices. In know-how, as in enterprise, making knowledgeable selections from the beginning is what separates success from failure.
Behind each digital product — whether or not it is a cellular app, an online platform or a SaaS software — lies a basis of instruments and applied sciences that decide the way it’s constructed, the way it scales and the way it survives. This mix is named the know-how stack: programming languages, frameworks, infrastructure, databases and extra.
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that the selection of tech stack is simply as important because the product concept itself. Irrespective of how revolutionary the idea, poor technical implementation can quietly — and shortly — destroy it.
For non-technical founders, the tech stack can really feel like a black field — one thing the dev crew simply “handles.” However here is the entice: early selections typically appear high-quality. Then months later, you understand you have constructed one thing fragile — a product that is onerous to scale, costly to take care of and almost inconceivable to improve with out breaking every thing.
The remainder of this text is locked.
Be part of Entrepreneur+ at this time for entry.
