If you're in an operations role that requires managing external contractors on a daily basis, there's a strong chance you will spend half your work day playing email ping pong, and the other half drowning in spreadsheets, unless you decide to implement a contractor management portal to eliminate the inefficient back-and-forth.

In some industries, there are dozens of contractor management or tracking apps to choose from–construction, or in digital freelance work, for example. But these solutions are usually hard to fit around more specialised processes. So if you’re looking for something that is adapted to the particular needs of your business, you might consider building a custom solution, either from scratch, or using a no-code tool.

What's a no-code contractor portal?

A no-code SaaS platform like Stacker lets businesses build custom applications and portals to interact with databases without needing to write actual code. Stacker, for example, lets you build custom business web applications that works with your data, such as CRMs, task management tools, triggered automation workflows, and of course, web portals.

In the case of contractor portals, for example, a platform like Stacker can be used to build an external-facing space where contractors can log in to interact with your company's data.

For example, a restaurant chain could create a Stacker-powered portal that contractors can use to find out details around new repair or maintenance jobs without needing to request the details via call or email before each project.

Similarly, a landscaping business could build a portal for gardeners to receive job assignments, track hours worked, and submit unusual customer requests for approval through a standardized process. 

Since this kind of portal can be built on top of the company’s existing databases, any updates made by the contractors are immediately reflected across all connected systems, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication through less efficient channels.

Should you build your own contractor management system with a No-Code tool?

This decision mostly comes down to two things: how specialized your needs are, and how hands-on you can be with the set-up and configuration of your contractor management tool. Here’s how we break it down to companies that come to Stacker with these questions.

When to build your own

1. You need a tailored set of business apps to work with contractors

No-code platforms like Stacker offer a high degree of customization, which is often necessary for highly specialized workflows. For example, a plug-and-play contractor platform might provide all you need to manage and pay drivers in a transportation team or freelancers in a digital agency. However, it may not be ideal if you operate in a niche industry with specific processes, and need to configure the record fields beyond the default options.

2. Your use case and needs are likely to evolve

Your needs may change in the future. For instance, currently, the contractors of a landscaping business might only handle lawn mowing, but if the business plans to start installing decoration features in its clients’ gardens, or to lease lawn mowing equipment to these contractors, then the contractor management portal would need to be adapted. This is a lot easier to do with a no-code option that doesn't require a complete redeployment.

3. You want to expand the use of No-Code apps beyond contractor portals

No-code platforms can be used for more than contractor management or contractor tracking software, as they are essentially operations platforms that can standardize any process. With the right integrations, they can centralize all your data into a single source of truth, making it much easier to build dashboards, share internal information, or enhance the user experience for your internal stakeholders. 

Stacker, for example, is used by some of our customers as a CRM, a suite of task management applications, and a self-serve portal for partners, customers, or clients.

When to buy off-the-shelf 

1. You operate in an industry with standardized contractor processes

If you operate with standardized workflows, and your contractor management needs align closely with common industry practices, an out-of-the-box solution might be your best bet.

This is especially true in industries where working with large volumes of external contractors is standard, such as delivery logistics or events management, for example. You'll probably be able to find more than one SaaS tool that covers your specifications and then some. Also worth noting, the deployment and set-up will be much faster, as you won't have to build anything.

2. You are looking for a bundle of products, not just a contractor portal 

If you’re looking for a solution beyond database management and self-serve access, the no-code route might not be optimal.

For example, an HR contractor management tool like Deel or TalentDesk isn't the best fit for a team looking to connect their contractor management portal with a fleet of vehicles, or an inventory of spare parts. However, products like these offer a comprehensive collection of products around HR, payments, compliance, and tracking, on top of CRM and portal functionalities. 

Get started with building your own contractor management portal

If you are curious to see what a contractor app built on top of your internal databases could look like, Stacker has a few case studies for you to explore. Our team is also always happy to help users define their specifications and design the right solution for their operational processes. Simply sign up to request a demo here, and we'll get you started right away.