Do you feel stuck with web service providers locking you into their proprietary systems?
For instance, you build your web presence with a website builder that is a joy to use – but runs on a proprietary system that makes it almost impossible to switch to a competitor without starting everything from scratch?
You’re not alone in this. These days, it’s nearly impossible for anyone doing any type of business to completely avoid what’s known as vendor lock-in.
And it’s not always bad. Often, the benefits of using a ready-made, externally managed SaaS (“Software as a service”) are simply too significant to business operations, to getting things off the ground, outweighing the dependency.
However, there are compelling reasons to consider minimizing such dependencies in the long run:
- Risk of provider bankruptcy, arbitrary account suspension, or other disruptions that block access to your own data – in the worst case, with catastrophic consequences for your business operations
- Great difficulty switching providers when service is poor
- Disproportionate price increases that you have to grudgingly accept due to a lack of alternatives
- Burgeoning subscription costs even when price increases stay relatively reasonable
- Data protection issues, eg when using a U.S. service while bound by GDPR
I identify your exact technical dependencies, recommend alternatives, help extract your data from closed systems (so you at least have a backup from time to time), and evaluate the effort needed to transition to more open solutions.
25+ years'
experience
in web development since the days of dial-up modems.
Friendly
& flexible
Working to find a solution for you – no matter the situation.
Data
protection
My work is subject to strict EU GDPR rules.
Independent
& transparent
I do not receive kickbacks or commissions for my recommendations.
Your web mechanic:
Pekka Gaiser
LinkedIn
Twitter
Github
Stack Overflow
Freelance web developer, designer, and administrator since 2001, working for KAI in London, NetCologne, and many others.
Decades-long client relationships, e.g. with a nationwide vehicle rental chain in Germany for whom I build and maintain the electronic booking system and web presence.
Active in many support communities. I was a world wide top ten user on Stack Overflow by reputation for almost a decade.