Are Web3 Development Turn-key Solutions Really Better than Enabler-based Tools?

“There are only 24 hours in a day. We need to quit trying to be awesome and instead be wise.” – Jen Hatmaker.

It’s one of life’s hardest truths:  We can’t do it all, we can’t experience everything we want to, we can’t be everyone we want to be. Instead of giving up though, we have to make some choices. And the above quote is both timely and helpful when it comes to Web3, because so many different development teams are struggling with the same overarching problem: There is so much to do and not enough time to do it.

Web3 continues to grow, expand, and innovate. People from all over the world are involved and are inspired to make something that will have a meaningful impact as Web3 begins its turn from the younger “Wild West” to a more centered and mainstream industry. This is a challenge, and probably a bigger challenge than most people appreciate, even those working in Web3. If you take a big step back and look at the growth of Web3, you could compare it to other big technological advancements like the initial internet or the Web2 we operate today.  There are many parallels, and we can see some of the same struggles to make the technology work, to find new use cases, and to paint a picture for people about how this technology can be used. When you are building something so different and new, it can be difficult to share the vision with the greater public, and this is one of the key challenges faced by the Web3 community today. However, this is only one challenge. On top of showing what is possible, the technical challenges faced are orders of magnitude more complex for Web3 than they were for Web2 and ridiculously more complex than Web1.

Still, despite these risks, there is tremendous potential in Web3 applications, and many teams of developers are racing to realize their visions and create something tangible for their communities. But with only 24 hours in a day, how can we best use them? Some teams try to add more developers, which can help, but this is an industry with an extreme shortage of knowledgeable developers. So the question becomes, is it better to try to be awesome or to be wise when it comes to Web3 development? Let’s dive in and find out. We’ll consider the benefits of a completely customized platform and what that might look like compared to a turn-key solution that can boost development.  There is no definitive right or wrong answer, but there are critical elements to consider, and not all turn-key solutions are the same. Some claim to offer absolutely everything (but don’t), and others focus on those most critical elements that have to be done well (we’ll look at Aurora’s four turn-key features as an example).

Customization:  Your Way (At A Cost)

Time and funding are challenges, and shouldn’t be underestimated. If you can get funding, you can build a bigger team and reduce the time of development.  Regardless of the team’s size however, the biggest constraint for Web3 development is nearly always talent.  This is because Web3 is not only very new compared to other industries, its complexity is layered. Consider the different areas of expertise needed:  smart contracts, tokenomics, wallets, on/off ramps, multi-chain connections, exchange integration, decentralization, validators/consensus, rollups, chain establishment (or building onto an L1), oracle creation, and more.  All of that, and we haven’t even addressed the interface with users, which is absolutely critical for both seasoned crypto vets but much more so if you have any hope for mass adoption. If you can build this team, and have a vision for how to efficiently integrate these pieces together toward an advantage (speed, cost, security, etc.), then customization is perfect. The price is high and the challenge is steep, but the few who have succeeded have a lot to show for it. Many have tried and failed, however, attempting to change the world by building everything from scratch, and never making it to the part of their app or platform that was truly innovative because they were too busy building the basic infrastructure.  In attempting to be awesome, they weren’t wise, and failed at both.

Turn-Key:  Innovate and Bolt-On

The goal of a turn-key solution is to avoid much of this complexity. However, before you can even look at potential solutions, you must know exactly what you aim to accomplish. What unique, industry-changing feature will your app bring to Web3? What value will your community be excited about?  Do some soul-searching and figure this out.  This is what you want your development team to spend 24 hours on.  Once you know that, you have a better idea of what your turn-key solution should provide.  As with any service, reputation matters, so do your homework. As mentioned above, Aurora doesn’t provide everything you need to build a Web3 app.  However, it has focused on building the most complex elements and those pieces that must be 100% secure, smooth, and reliable.  For nearly any application you will need an oracle, validators for consensus, on/off ramp capability, and for many applications a connection to a CEX. There are a handful of other providers that can offer some or all of these services.  However, Aurora has not only built each of these blockchain services, but has developed a way to fold them into a Virtual Chain, making it easier to build up your application and fully integrate.   If your innovation will need this type of infrastructure, a focused turn-key solution may be an excellent choice. If your innovation is to specifically improve one of these features (for example, if you have an innovative on/off ramp solution), you may want to seek a turn-key solution that offers the other services you’ll need.  In any case, know who you are and what unique value you want to provide, and then find a turn-key that can provide much of the rest (especially the most critical, complex pieces).

Final Thoughts

Web3 development will continue to grow and expand and will certainly find that mass adoption threshold over time. The key will be countless teams of dreamers building their visions, adding their own innovations, and growing communities. The decision to go it alone and build from the ground up or to partner with a turn-key provider is important for every team to consider. Think about what you want to accomplish, what you can achieve, and where you want to focus your efforts. With any luck, you’ll choose the path that is right for you and turn your vision into something real.  Happy Building!