Skip to main content
JDIT.
Back to posts

Development

5 min read

My stuff is my stuff

On avoiding vendor lock-in like the plague

In this day and age, we often focus more on features than what we’re giving up.

What is vendor lock-in?

Vendor lock-in is when you choose a tool that makes it difficult to switch to another one later. It can be a CMS, a hosting provider, or even a JavaScript framework. The problem isn’t just that you’re tied to a specific vendor - it’s that you’re giving up control over your own project. If the vendor goes out of business, changes their pricing, or just doesn’t meet your needs anymore, you’re stuck.

Why is it a problem?

Vendor lock-in can lead to higher costs, less flexibility, and a worse experience for your clients. If you’re locked into a CMS that charges per user, you might find yourself paying more and more as your client’s business grows. If you’re locked into a hosting provider that doesn’t support the features you need, you might find yourself unable to implement important functionality. And if you’re locked into a JavaScript framework that falls out of favor, you might find yourself with a codebase that’s difficult to maintain and hire for.

How to avoid it

The best way to avoid vendor lock-in is to choose tools that give you control over your project. This means choosing open-source tools, self-hosted solutions, or at least tools that have a clear exit strategy. For example, if you’re using a CMS, make sure it has an easy way to export your content and migrate to another platform if needed. If you’re using a hosting provider, make sure you can easily move your site to another provider if needed. And if you’re using a JavaScript framework, make sure you can easily rewrite your frontend if needed.