Getting a customer portal created: what to consider

Brthrs’ developers get joy from connecting complex systems in the most efficient way possible. It is therefore not for nothing that Brthrs enjoys developing customer portals.

Portals combine different data streams in an orderly fashion and can be used in a very diverse way. For example, we build employee portals, supplier portals, customer portals and other custom portals. For the Algemene Onderwijsbond, for example, we were allowed to create an online portal for 85 thousand users.

Because we love working on portals so much, we don’t get hung up on this topic. We previously wrote about the benefits of having a customer portal developed and developing headless portals. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the things you need to consider when having a customer portal created.

The importance of a customized customer portal

Building a customer portal is less straightforward than having a website developed. You have to consider the various data streams, security, user experience, development and more. But, you get so much in return.

In fact, a customer portal ensures increased customer satisfaction. Customers can more easily engage with your company, make additional purchases or leave a review. This simultaneously ensures that employees have time to spare. After all, customers can go to the portal whenever they want to find information.

In addition, portals are all about data. On the one hand, you are combining different data streams into one interface. On the other hand, your customers also generate new insights. A good customer portal provides insight into your customers’ online behavior so you can be even more responsive.

Clearly, a customer portal offers many advantages. But, what should you consider when developing such a portal?

1. Define clear objectives

The most important thing about starting a new project is determining what the desired benefits are. Therefore, before you start having a portal created, it is a good idea to define the objectives.

Examples might include improving data exchange, optimizing processes, increasing sales or improving brand image with customers.

By being clear from the beginning what the desired benefits are, better monitoring and possible adjustments can be made during the development of the portal.

2. Integrate existing systems into one portal

Although the users of a portal notice mainly the design, bringing different systems together is central to the development process. This is one of the most important points of having a portal created.

Both your company’s customers and employees are constantly working in different systems. Think payment systems, CRM systems, accounting systems, authentication software and much more. Currently, the

The problem with a wide range of systems is that they are often isolated. Connecting these different systems helps to realize the full potential of the technology. This can streamline existing processes or create new opportunities for a business.

3. Cleaning up data

A customer portal is based on the data entering the portal from various input streams. When this data is of poor quality, it hampers the potential of a customer portal.

It is therefore important to look critically at existing data before integrating these systems. By performing a data analysis and cleaning, you ensure that the existing data is factually correct. This prevents data exchange problems and minimizes errors in the integration process.

4. Customer portal security

Two important factors in processing large amounts of personal data are security and privacy. It is therefore very important to establish and maintain a good security strategy.

Brthrs implements standard security measures, such as HTTPS and strong authentication and authorization mechanisms, when building portals. This prevents third parties, such as hackers, from accessing the personal data.

5. Privacy and legislation

A portal that processes personal data automatically faces privacy laws. Consider, among other things, the AVG legislation. This legislation applies throughout the European Union and applies to all companies. From sole proprietors to multinationals.

Brthrs helps companies ask the right questions about privacy. Together, we look at whether consent was sought for the collection of the data, whether the data is adequately secured, and whether customers have the ability to delete data. A portal offers the opportunity to comply with this legislation because you give customers the freedom to interact with their data themselves.

Learn more about what to do to avoid violating privacy laws.

6. An intuitive dashboard

It is often stated that data is golden. Brthrs doesn’t quite agree. Data without proper interpretation is nothing but large amounts of numbers. In our opinion, it is precisely the visualization and interpretation of actionable data that is golden.

That’s why the portals Brthrs delivers feature an intuitive dashboard. In it, the client can gain 24/7 insight into the data generated by the use of a portal. Handy!

7. Easy data entry.

Data routed to a portal from various systems often cannot be imported directly. These systems are often built on different technical foundations. This hinders easy data entry.

Therefore, when building a portal, it is important to look for a partner that has experience with customer portals. Brthrs built several portals for our clients in recent years. This provides the team with the right knowledge for easy entry of existing data.

8. Scalability

Portals are like websites and mobile apps. They are never quite finished. The product that is delivered meets a company’s needs and requirements at that time. But, as a business grows, these desires also change.

Therefore, it is important to build a customer portal that is modular. In this way, future systems and new data streams can be easily linked. Without having to rebuild the entire portal. Brthrs therefore designs scalable architecture for customer portals.

9. Future developments

Not only is it important to think about possible new data flows when building a portal, new technological developments are also important. Possibly your company is not doing anything with Artificial Intelligence or Blockchain technology right now. But who’s to say this will continue in the future.

Brthrs enjoys working with these new technologies. For example, we are currently incorporating the ChatGPT API into companies’ existing processes. A portal provides the opportunity to embrace new technologies. Therefore, make sure you have a partner who is up to date on the latest developments

10. Digital accessibility

If you have a customer portal created, you obviously want all your customers to be able to use it. It is therefore important to consider the accessibility of the portal already during the design phase.

Not only does this increase your portal’s reach and improve customer satisfaction. It also allows you to comply with future legislation. For example, did you know that digital products, such as customer portals, must meet accessibility requirements starting in 2025? Indeed, in July of 2025, the European Accessibility Act goes into effect.

Brthrs works closely with the accessibility specialists at Digitally Accessible. Thinking about accessibility from the beginning will save you costs in the long run. It is easier to design new products accessible than to make existing products accessible.

Having a customer portal created

Hopefully, reading this article has answered more questions than it has provided. Brthrs likes to think with you to jointly solve complex issues. Click to read more about customer portals or request more information directly.