Dear SaaStr: Does It Always Make Sense to Say “No” to a Custom Feature If We Have Mid-Market (ACV 20k to 50k+) Customers?
No. This is not wise advice, it is bad advice in many cases. As long as the deal size is big enough.
If a potential deal, is > $20k-$50k-$100k+ in the early days, you should consider one-off features if:
- the paid feature would also benefit other similar customers, now or in the future;
- the feature is or should be on your roadmap for the next 24–30 months or so; and
- your gut and experience as CEO tells you it’s a good feature and worth building.
If all 3 criteria are met and a customer is willing to pay up to push out a feature early, I would suggest strongly considering it.
Because in that case, it’s no longer a custom feature. Instead, it’s getting paid to learn about the future of your company. Early.
Having said that, do NOT build an “early”/”custom” feature if:
- The customer won’t pay up. It’s not important enough for them, or just as importantly, you, if they won’t.
- If the customer won’t be one of your largest customers. It is too distracting otherwise.
- You don’t think other similar customers will also pay up for the feature down the road.
- Your gut says it is just too distracting. Any “one off” feature is a distraction. But your job as CEO is to know when it crosses the line.
A bit more here: One Simple Rule on When to Build a “Custom” Feature | SaaStr
