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Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Learn from common mistakes others have made when self-hosting their marketing technology stack. Avoid these pitfalls to save time, money, and frustration.

Pitfall 1: Underestimating Setup Time​

The Problem:

  • Assume setup is quick and easy
  • Don't allocate enough time
  • Rush through configuration
  • Miss important steps

How to Avoid:

  • Allocate 2x estimated time
  • Follow documentation carefully
  • Test each step before proceeding
  • Don't rush the process

Pitfall 2: Skipping Backups​

The Problem:

  • Assume backups "just work"
  • Don't test restore procedures
  • Lose data during updates
  • Can't recover from failures

How to Avoid:

  • Set up backups immediately
  • Test restore monthly
  • Verify backups daily
  • Store backups off-server

Pitfall 3: Ignoring Security​

The Problem:

  • Default passwords
  • No firewall configuration
  • Missing SSL certificates
  • Security vulnerabilities

How to Avoid:

  • Change all default passwords
  • Configure firewall properly
  • Set up SSL certificates
  • Regular security updates
  • Security audits

Pitfall 4: Not Planning for Maintenance​

The Problem:

  • Assume "set it and forget it"
  • Don't schedule maintenance time
  • Updates pile up
  • System becomes unstable

How to Avoid:

  • Schedule regular maintenance
  • Allocate time monthly
  • Keep update procedures documented
  • Test updates before applying

Pitfall 5: Poor Email Deliverability Setup​

The Problem:

  • Emails go to spam
  • Low deliverability rates
  • Domain reputation issues
  • Can't send emails effectively

How to Avoid:

  • Configure SPF, DKIM, DMARC
  • Use reputable email service (SendGrid, Mailgun)
  • Monitor deliverability metrics
  • Follow email best practices

Pitfall 6: No Monitoring​

The Problem:

  • Don't know when things break
  • Issues discovered too late
  • No performance visibility
  • Can't prevent problems

How to Avoid:

  • Set up monitoring from day one
  • Monitor server resources
  • Track application health
  • Set up alerts

Pitfall 7: Over-Complicating Custom Tools​

The Problem:

  • Build too many features initially
  • Over-engineer solutions
  • Take too long to launch
  • High development costs

How to Avoid:

  • Start with MVP
  • Focus on core functionality
  • Iterate based on feedback
  • Keep it simple

Pitfall 8: Not Documenting Everything​

The Problem:

  • Can't remember how things work
  • Hard to hand off to others
  • Difficult to troubleshoot
  • Knowledge lost when people leave

How to Avoid:

  • Document as you go
  • Create runbooks
  • Keep configuration documented
  • Version control documentation

Next: Review our Real-World Case Study to see how we overcame challenges, or check Next Steps & Resources for your action plan.