Stability, Cost-Efficiency, and Seamless Scaling — Clients Want It All. Part 2: Seamless Scaling

Welcome back to my series on what clients really want. Last time, I discussed stability. Today, let's talk about the second item on every client's wishlist: seamless scaling.

Picture this: Your app is running smoothly, but without growth, you're stuck in neutral. Clients don't just want a stable site; they're dreaming big. They want to see new customers flowing in, maybe even replicate their success with similar products. It's that moment when you realize your current product is thriving, bringing in solid revenue, and you start wondering, "What's next?"

This is how people start considering selling franchises, expanding to other countries. And here's the beauty of having a solid infrastructure: you can confidently step into a larger market, knowing your system will perform even with a bigger customer base.?

In addition, scaling isn't just about adding more resources; it's also about adding more services. Let's say you have a website that's working great, but you want to add a new feature. You've got to think about how your current resources will cope with the extra load, how new features will fit in, and how traffic will flow.?

Whether you decide to scale all your resources or just launch new features, you need to have these ambitious growth goals in mind right from the start, when you're building your initial infrastructure. But — and this is crucial — you shouldn't try to add everything at once. It’s better to create a strong skeleton that works now and then reinforce it as you grow.

I've seen startups fall into the trap of building something that works initially but doesn't allow for growth. They didn't consider whether they could increase resources later, and they didn't leave room for expansion. If you're relying on quick fixes, they won't work in the long run. You end up trapped by your own code and infrastructure.

I once saw a case where different approaches to infrastructure were used together. Things were hardcoded with the attitude of "Well, it works, so let's not touch it." But when it came time to update the cluster, it was a nightmare. Those quick fixes were incredibly difficult to rework. And if the person who created them leaves the project, you're left staring at their work, clueless about what they did. In situations like these, changing even a few variables means you have to rebuild everything from scratch.

On the flip side, I've also seen new startups come in all excited about the latest tools. They want to implement everything at once. But when you try to launch their app, it doesn't work because one tool conflicts with another. They haven't fully figured out how to use everything, and this ends up delaying their market entry.

That's why it's crucial to incorporate your plans and desires into your infrastructure from the get-go and scale gradually. This way, you won't have to redo everything later and potentially pay the same amount or even more or overpay for services that eventually don’t work for your current setup.

Speaking of costs, stay tuned for my next post where I'll tackle the thorny issue of cost-efficiency. It's a delicate balance — often, being thrifty can work against stability and scalability.?

What's your experience with scaling? Share your stories in the comments – let's learn from each other!