1
Evaluate beyond the demo
- Test with real data and real workflows, not the vendor's curated demo environment.
- Check support quality before buying: submit a pre-sales support ticket and see how fast and helpful the response is.
- Talk to existing customers in your sector, not just the references the vendor provides.
2
Understand total cost of ownership
- Map all costs beyond the licence: implementation, training, integrations, storage tiers, and per-user add-ons.
- Check renewal pricing: introductory discounts often disappear and lock-in clauses can prevent switching.
- Factor in the cost of your team's time for administration, configuration, and ongoing maintenance.
3
Plan your exit before you enter
- Confirm data export capabilities: can you get all your data out in a standard, usable format?
- Check API availability for integrations and future migration to avoid building on a closed platform.
- Document your selection rationale so future decision-makers understand why this tool was chosen and when to reconsider.