Ah, integrations. The holy grail of seamless marketing and data management. 

You’ve got your CRM humming along nicely, your marketing automation platform generating leads, and in a perfect world, they would communicate effortlessly, passing data back and forth like old friends. 

It works, too. SyncApps users, for instance, see a 4-digit ROI from the integrations they use.

However, simply adding an iPaaS platform to your tech stack won’t fix all your data management problems. Sure, it’s nice to have your CRM and your marketing automation platform on good terms and talking to each other.

But that doesn’t happen with all platforms.

There are dozens of Salesforce integration solutions out there. A lot of them are good too — not just SyncApps.

Choose one of them — some are great for SMEs, others for enterprises, others for nonprofits, and so on. But stay away from native integrations. 

What Are Native Integrations?

As the name suggests, native integrations are integration solutions designed by a software vendor to help you connect their solution with others. MC4SF (Mailchimp for Salesforce, designed by Mailchimp) was the biggest one of them.

The native Constant Contact for Salesforce integration built by Constant Contact is also quite popular — at least until the users realize how cumbersome it is to use. 

Why do I caution you against them? Well, for a series of reasons.

While native integrations promise ease of use and convenience, they often come with significant drawbacks that can leave your business feeling shackled. The truth is, these integrations are usually just an afterthought for vendors who primarily focus on their core products. 

They’re not built with the same level of commitment and attention as the software they support, leading to a host of issues that can disrupt your operations and hinder your growth.

The Drawbacks of Native Integrations

Let’s dive into why you should think twice before relying on native integrations like those from Constant Contact, Mailchimp, or others.

1. Prioritization issues: software companies typically invest the bulk of their resources into enhancing their core product. Integrations? Not so much. Take a look at Constant Contact’s native integration with Salesforce. While it might sound convenient to connect your email marketing and CRM for free, users have frequently reported issues such as data syncing delays, missing fields, and an overall lack of robust functionality.
2. Infrequent updates: keeping software current is a full-time job. When you rely on native integrations, you can find yourself stuck with outdated features that no longer meet your needs. Mailchimp’s native integration with Shopify, for instance, is known for its inconsistent syncing capabilities. Users often encounter delays in data updates, which can lead to missed opportunities and inaccurate targeting in campaigns.
3. Limited customization: native integrations often come with a one-size-fits-all approach. If your organization has unique needs, prepare for disappointment. 
4. Dependency issues: vendor lock-in is a real concern when using native integrations. Consider this: you’ve built your entire marketing strategy around a specific vendor’s ecosystem. If you decide to switch CRMs or marketing tools, what happens to your data? Often, you find yourself facing hurdles that make the transition painful, if not impossible.
5. Support nightmares: need help with an integration issue? Good luck navigating the murky waters of vendor support. When you rely on native integrations, you might find that the support team is more focused on their core product than the integration itself. Most of our clients on the Constant Contact for Salesforce or Mailchimp for Salesforce integrations have rage quit the native integration platforms and switched to SyncApps. Because they understood free is usually too expensive. 

Looking for Something Better?

Not that it’s a tall order to do better than native integrations but allow me a moment for self-promo.

At SyncApps, our approach is fundamentally different. We don’t sell any other software; it’s just integration. This is our main focus, 100% of the time.

And we don’t keep you tied to us against your will either. Here’s what SyncApps clients rave about:

1. Flexibility and control: with SyncApps, you can connect multiple platforms, from Salesforce and Mailchimp to ActiveCampaign and NetSuite, without worrying about being tied to a single vendor. If you decide to make a switch, your data moves with you, and you maintain full control.
2. Robust features: unlike native integrations that provide only basic functionality, SyncApps offers a comprehensive suite of features that are customizable to your unique business needs. Whether you want to sync contacts, automate workflows, or pull reports, we’ve got you covered.
3. Continuous updates: our team is committed to keeping our integrations current and relevant. When your software vendors make changes, you can count on us to ensure that your integrations remain functional and effective.
4. 24/7 human support: At SyncApps, our support team specializes in integration solutions. You won’t be left in the dark if something goes wrong. All our clients also have access to consulting calls that go beyond technical troubleshooting — our experts will teach you how to leverage integration to the fullest and advise you on iPaaS best practices. 
5. Data empowerment: SyncApps champions the democratization of data. We don’t believe in holding your data hostage. If you choose to move away from our platform, your data is still yours. That’s right — no strings attached. Your future should never hinge on one vendor’s whims.

A Manifesto for Data Freedom in Integration

When it comes to your integration strategy, don’t settle for second-best. Native integrations may seem appealing, but they often come with hidden costs and challenges that can derail your business. 

Instead, embrace a solution that gives you flexibility, control, and reliability.

When you choose an integration platform make sure it’s not a hostage situation. Even the most well-established software companies can go belly up or change their solution so much that it’s unusable for you.

Make sure you can easily migrate without losing data. 

I’m not saying SyncApps is the only game in town. I’m saying free has the steepest price, so choose wisely.

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