The cost of digital transformation: Why you'll pay more for cheap tech in the long run

I’ve seen this play out too many times. A business needs a CRM, an integration, or some automation work. They shop around, get a few quotes, and then… they go for the cheapest option.

Why? Because “it’s just software,” right? Because “we’ll figure it out as we go.” Because “how hard can it be?”

Then, six months later, they’re back at square one. The system doesn’t work the way they need it to. The data is a mess. The integrations don’t connect properly. The workflows are broken. And now, they’re calling us to fix it—which costs more than if they’d done it properly from the start.

So, let’s be real about this: there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

The cost of digital transformation may seem like a big investment but if you want technology done right, you need the right people, the right process, and yes—the right budget. 

The cost of digital transformation - you get what you pay for

Technology isn’t just software. It’s the backbone of how your business operates, scales, and grows. And when you cheap out, you feel it every single day in:

• Missed revenue (because leads are slipping through the cracks)
• Frustrated teams (who refuse to use the system because it doesn’t work)
• Expensive rework (because the bargain-basement setup wasn’t built to last)

Going cheap on tech is like buying a dodgy car. Sure, it’s cheaper upfront. But when you’re constantly repairing it, patching things up, and dealing with breakdowns, was it really worth it?

The hidden costs of “cheap” technology

Here’s the reality: when companies go cheap on their tech setup, they usually end up paying twice.

First, they pay for a half-baked solution

• Built by someone who doesn’t fully understand their business
• Based on generic templates instead of a real strategy tailored to their business
• Delivered without proper testing, training, or adoption

Then, they pay again to fix it (at a premium)

• Scrapping the original setup
• Hiring proper experts to rebuild it from scratch
• Spending months undoing mistakes instead of moving forward

How many businesses do you think end up in this position? I’ll tell you—a lot.

Question for you: Have you ever seen a company go for the cheapest option and then have to start over later? How much time and money did that really save?

Drivers of Digital Transformation Success

The right people will save you time, money and pain.

A great tech setup isn’t about finding the cheapest vendor—it’s about working with people who:

• Know what they’re doing (not just plugging things together and hoping for the best)
• Understand your business goals (and aren’t just ticking boxes)
• Can execute fast, properly, and with long-term scalability in mind

These aren’t just “consultants” or “implementers.” They’re the people who will make or break whether your system actually delivers results.

So the real question isn’t: "How cheap can we go?"

It’s: "What’s the cost of getting this wrong?"

Want it done right? Here’s where you should be investing your digital transformation budget

I’m not saying throw money around for the sake of it. But if you’re serious about getting technology that actually works, here’s where to focus your budget:

Strategy & Setup

• Get clear on what you need (not just “what looks good” on paper)
• Work with experts who’ve done it before—success leaves clues
  
  

Customisation & Integration

• Every business is different—cookie-cutter solutions don’t scale
• If your systems don’t talk to each other properly, you’ll end up with data chaos
  
  

Training & Adoption

• A system no one uses is a system that doesn’t exist
• The best tech is the one your team actually wants to use
  
  

Ongoing Optimisation

• Business needs change. Your tech should evolve too.
• A set-and-forget approach is how companies fall behind fast

Final Thought: Pay Now, or Pay More Later

You can do it right now—or you can do it cheap now and fix it later at twice the cost.

The companies winning in tech aren’t the ones shopping for the lowest bidder. They’re the ones investing in the right people to execute properly. And because of that, they’re seeing real results, faster growth, and higher ROI.

So, next time you’re looking at a technology project, ask yourself:

• Do you want to build something that works? Or,
• Do you want to cut corners and deal with the fallout later?

Because one way or another, you’re going to pay the cost of digital transformation. The only question is when. 

Work with us to get is done right, from the start.