Blog Articles

MLM Website Developer: In-House vs. Partner 

Blog Article

Posted On

October 2, 2025

By:

Exigo

The search for a trusted MLM website developer is a critical decision. It’s not just about building an online store for the field and new customers; it’s about creating a complex system that manages sales, commissions, downlines, and global operations. This core piece of technology determines how you do business.

But the path to the right solution is not always clear. Should you build your own system with an internal team? Should you hire a third-party agency? Or is there a more strategic approach that lets you focus on your business while getting the expertise you need? 

Many leaders find that their biggest challenge is finding a partner who truly understands the direct selling model. Generic developers can build a good website, but they often miss the specific needs of your business. This is why a specialized approach to MLM development is so important. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Traditional MLM website development options each have drawbacks. Third-parties may lack the specific MLM expertise to handle complex compensation. 
  • A modern approach involves a platform with a solid back-end foundation and an expert partner. This approach allows a company to build custom without having to manage the core complexities of commissions and global business rules. 
  • A powerful API is the key to flexibility and control. By using an API-first platform, companies can build unique tools while relying on a secure infrastructure. 
03 The Enterprise Guide to Painless Platform Migration 1024x339 1

The Challenges of Traditional MLM Website Development

The traditional options for building a direct selling website each come with significant drawbacks. 

An in-house development team can give you complete control, but it also comes with high costs. It’s not just the salaries of your developers; it’s the ongoing cost of maintenance, security updates, and new feature development. And if your key developer leaves, you’re left with a codebase that may be difficult for a new person to learn. 

On the other hand, hiring a third-party agency can be a faster way to get a site built, but it also has its own risks. The agency might not have deep experience in direct selling, leading to costly mistakes or a system that can’t handle the complexities of your compensation plan. 

A common challenge is that these solutions often lead to a fragile technology stack. A change in one part of the system can cause an error somewhere else. This is where a more modern approach to direct selling website development becomes necessary. 

The Exigo Answer: Your MLM Website Development Partner 

Exigo provides an alternative to the traditional build vs. buy dilemma. We offer the best of both worlds. Our core platform is a ready-to-use foundation built specifically for direct selling. It handles the complex logic of commissions, inventory, and global business rules. You don’t need to build this from scratch. 

Our professional services team works as your MLM development professional services partner. They have deep expertise in the direct selling industry and the Exigo platform. This team doesn’t just build a front end; they work with you to understand your unique business needs and create a custom solution that sits on top of our solid back-end foundation. 

This approach gives you a custom solution without the long-term maintenance burden of a completely home-grown platform. You get the flexibility and branding you need while benefiting from a scalable, secure, and managed platform. 

In one example, a client company was struggling to process commissions accurately and on time with their old system. Their in-house team was spending over 60% of their time fixing bugs and running manual checks. By partnering with Exigo, they were able to automate their commission runs, reduce errors by over 95%, and free their team to focus on building new tools for their distributors. 

Understanding the Exigo API and Customization

The power of the Exigo platform lies in its API. It’s a foundational component that gives you full access to your data and the flexibility to build a truly custom user experience. You can create a unique website, a mobile app, or any other tool you need, all powered by our robust back end. 

This approach allows your website to feel custom and unique while relying on a stable and secure infrastructure. It gives you the freedom to innovate without having to manage the core complexity of a direct selling system. Direct selling companies can spend around 2-4% of its revenue on technology, but a significant portion of that is often wasted on outdated systems and poor integrations. A more streamlined approach can help you reduce this cost and get a better return on your technology investment. 

For insights on optimizing your operations, explore our article on how direct selling companies can improve their technology stack

Conclusion 

Choosing an MLM website developer is about finding a strategic partner, not just a vendor. You need a team that understands your business, offers a scalable solution, and gives you the freedom to create a unique experience. 

By partnering with a company that provides a solid platform and expert development services, you can build a website that serves your business today and supports your growth into the future. Your technology should be a strength, not a weakness. 

Ready to see how it works? Book a personalized demo with our team.