Web service? A robot website? A web platform? Or who develops complex IT projects

Today, ‘website’ is a universal label: business cards, marketing pages, online shops and even large-scale platforms with business process automation are hidden under it. But is it so easy to understand where ‘just a website’ ends and a real digital system begins?

Hundreds of companies offer ‘website development’ services, but when a client comes with a task, for example: a tender submission system, personalised catering with a picking algorithm, automated delivery with GPS, integration with bank APIs, mail, CRM and cloud, most contractors refuse.

Comparative table: complexity of projects

Direction ‘Simple Website’ ‘Web Platform’ (real examples) Development time 1-4 weeks 2-6 months or more Technologies used CMS (WordPress) Laravel / Vue. js / Redis / Docker Design level No (template-based) Architecture diagram, DevOps documentation and server Hosting Cloud, CI/CD, backups, monitoring Team 1-2 people 5-8 specialists (PM, QA, DevOps...) Scalability No Yes, provided at the start Impact of UI bugs Business risks, data loss, revenue

Here are some examples of web platforms on real case studies

1. Automation of procurement and tenders

Created an internal platform where each tender is strictly categorised and has a customised process for submission, selection, publication, evaluation, contract.

Features:

• Rights and status management
• Filtering by category tree
• Instant notifications via email/SMS
• Support for multi-stage tender and contracting status
• Integration with internal company policies

This project cannot be implemented on a CMS. It requires a custom architecture, authorisation, API and backend with enterprise-level security.

2. logistics automation

Development of a digital platform where customers place orders and the system automatically calculates the nearest courier, route, and optimal delivery time - with visualisation on a map.

Features:

• Integration with map API (Google Maps)
• Calculation of ETA (expected time of arrival)
• Automatic order distribution
• SMS and email alerts
• Mobile version on PWA technology

Key point: it is no longer a ‘website’ but a web service with a real backend system, logistics and geo-information.

3. Personalised catering service

Developed a system that tailors menus to the family's food habits: allergenicity, diets, seasonality, personal preferences, goals.

Features:

• Custom menu selection algorithm
• Personal account with notifications
• Shopping list
• Food calendar
• Social authorisation, subscription, referral program

It is impossible to work with templates here - you need unique logic, calculations, databases, automation of notifications.

4. online auction platform

The system allows you to exhibit, view, filter and bid on lots with antiques and art objects.

Features:

• Bidding mechanism with timer and reservation
• Data import via CSV
• Multistage filtering
• Public and private interface

High responsiveness, scalable architecture and security are required as we are talking about monetary transactions and high traffic.

Who develops such projects?

Complex platforms require an analytical approach, and this is not done by web designers or template builders, but by:

IT teams with architects, analysts, DevOps Companies capable of working in agile methodologies (Agile, Kanban) Developers who own the stack: PHP, Laravel, React/Vue, Docker, CI/CD

Why do most web studios give up on complex projects?

A complex web platform is a systematic business product that requires high team expertise, technical responsibility, and skills that go far beyond the typical ‘turnkey’ layout.

Here are the main reasons why studios turn down such tasks:

1. Conceptual differences in approach

Traditional web development is optimised for the scheme: concept → design → implementation → launch. This approach is effective for presentation solutions, but web platforms require additional steps:

• Business analysis and user scenario design
• Architectural planning with scalability in mind
• Integration strategy and API design
• Security and performance planning

2. requirements for the level of expertise of the team

Digital platforms require senior-level (Senior+) experts who can solve non-standard problems:

Senior-level backend developers:

• Design system architecture from the ground up
• Customise databases for high loads
• Create complex process automation logic

DevOps Engineers:

• Customise automatic code deployment
• Provide stable servers 24/7
• Build data backup systems

QA Engineers:

• Test not only the look and feel, but also business processes
• Test performance under load and security
• Automate the testing process

Not every development team has such specialists. Many web studios work with simpler tasks and specialise in other competencies.

3. Project risk management

Web platforms are characterised by a high degree of uncertainty:

• Evolution of requirements during development
• Technical complexity of integrations
• Dependence on external systems and APIs

This requires specialised approaches to risk management.

4. specific features of the project approach

Digital platforms require a deep understanding of business processes even before development begins. A detailed study of existing business processes, identification of bottlenecks and automation points, design of new processes is required, and only after a full understanding of the business logic does technical implementation begin.

This approach is fundamentally different from the creation of conventional websites, where you can start with design.

5. Difficulties of estimation and realisation

Web projects have a high degree of uncertainty, which creates challenges for many implementers:

Estimation problems:

• It is difficult to accurately predict development time
• Too many integrations and dependencies need to be considered
• Need to budget time to test complex scenarios

Financial Features:

• Investment nature: 3 to 12 months of development
• High cost due to senior expertise
• Need for post-launch support and development

Why many studios refuse: Most web studios don't have experience in running such large-scale projects. They prefer not to risk their reputation and profits, working in their usual niche of quick and predictable orders.

Who is involved in the development of complex IT projects?

The answer to this question is determined by understanding the differences between a website and a digital platform:

Websites are developed by web studios, designers and freelancers specialising in presentation solutions, CMS systems and ready-made templates, which have inherent standard solutions and can be implemented quickly.

At the same time, complex IT projects (digital platforms) are created by technology companies with development teams that have experience and expertise in automating processes.

The fundamental difference lies not in the technology stack, but in the strategic role for the business:

• Веб-сайт — это маркетинговый инструмент с ограниченным жизненным циклом
• Цифровая платформа — это стратегический актив, создающий устойчивые конкурентные преимущества.

If business processes require automation, scaling or integration with external systems, it is a matter of creating a software product rather than a standard website. This requires appropriate competences, processes and investments.

The choice of contractor should not be determined by the cost of development, but by the team's ability to design and implement a solution that will evolve with the business over the years.