Geopolitical tensions, regulatory changes, or a US president who regularly causes turmoil with new decisions – against this backdrop, decision-makers are increasingly forced to deal with unforeseen events and act wisely. In such turbulent times, one aspect is often underestimated: technological dependence on vendors. The so-called vendor lock-in can significantly limit a company’s capabilities.
But what exactly does it mean to be trapped in a vendor lock-in? Why is it crucial to break free from it now? And which strategic approaches can help overcome this dependency? All of this will be covered in the third part of our blog series, “Ecommerce in uncertain times.”
Where vendor lock-in comes from – and why it’s so dangerous right now
Vendor lock-in occurs when companies are “trapped” by a provider – whether through proprietary software, specific cloud environments, or difficult-to-port data structures. While such systems may initially seem like simple all-in-one solutions, they often turn out to be growth traps in the long run.
Especially in a volatile market environment, platform-related dependencies can become strategic risks. What happens if the provider raises prices or discontinues certain features? What if you suddenly can’t respond flexibly to market changes because your data is locked in a proprietary structure?
Right now, an ecommerce platform should serve as a safe harbor, not an additional source of risk.
Independence and flexibility are now more valuable than ever. And those who play their cards right can avoid risks and benefit in the long term. CTOs and ecommerce leads must rethink their systems – focusing on openness, modularity, and portability.
In the next section, you’ll learn about the strategic approaches that have proven effective in achieving this.
Strategic approaches: how to break free from technological dependencies
Adapt to uncertain conditions – with the following strategies, you can secure the necessary flexibility and freedom to be successful in the long run.
1. Utilize an API-first architecture:
An API-first architecture allows you to develop and exchange individual components independently. This keeps your system flexible, even when new requirements arise.
2. Prioritize open source solutions:
With open source platforms like Shopware, you maintain full control over the source code. Changes, extensions, and integrations are possible at any time – without having to wait for a vendor’s roadmap.
3. Implement a headless approach:
By decoupling the backend and frontend, businesses can respond more quickly to market changes. New frontends can be integrated without having to rebuild the entire platform – a concept that Shopware optimally supports through its headless architecture.
4. Choose a European platform:
The buy-local approach also pays off when selecting an ecommerce platform. Solutions developed in Germany or Europe, like Shopware, align with European regulations and values such as openness, trust, and long-term resilience.
5. Secure full control over your infrastructure:
Shopware is one of the few international market leaders that offers full flexibility regarding hosting. Merchants can freely decide whether to operate their infrastructure in their own data center, through a regional hosting partner, or in the cloud of their choice.
6. Avoid dependencies on hyperscalers:
Avoid being dependent on specific hyperscalers and stay flexible in choosing your infrastructure. Shopware supports deployment on all major hyperscalers – whether it’s Google Cloud Platform, AWS, or Microsoft Azure. This way, your business remains independent of the pricing and strategy of a single provider.
With these strategies, you retain full control over your ecommerce infrastructure – and are well-prepared for future changes. Still not enough? Check out our blog post, “Breaking free from vendor lock-in: Strategic steps for decision makers,” for more ways to actively avoid vendor lock-in.
In the next section, you’ll learn how to best prepare for a migration and discover best practices that successful companies have already implemented.
Migration is not an obstacle – but often a breakthrough
The decision to migrate from a proprietary platform to an open solution like Shopware is not an easy one. However, this step can pay off in the long run. This is evident in the case of Hookain, a global manufacturer of tobacco and shisha products.
Success story: Hookain – crisis-proof through strategic migration
When new regulations in the tobacco market led to a massive 70% drop in revenue, Hookain decided to make a strategic shift to Shopware. By migrating, the company was able not only to expand its product range but also to strengthen customer loyalty and increase the average order value.
Results at a glance:
40% revenue increase in a shrinking market
Conversion rate increased from 0.5% to 3%
Average order value increased by 40%
This success story demonstrates how migrating to an open and flexible platform can not only foster technological independence but also deliver measurable business outcomes.
You can find more examples of companies that chose to migrate during times of change and gained a decisive competitive edge as a result in our post, “Staying resilient in times of change: How global brands continue to grow with Shopware in uncertain times”.
If you’re considering a migration yourself, there are some crucial aspects to keep in mind.
Out of vendor lock-in, into a migration project
Switching to a new platform is complex and requires careful preparation, substantial resources, and precise execution. While the thought of a migration project may initially seem overwhelming, the effort can pay off – especially if you bring the right partners on board early on.
Experienced Shopware partners not only support the technical implementation but also provide valuable expertise to help you avoid potential pitfalls. Whether it’s data migration, integrating existing systems, or training your teams – they know what matters and help you stay on track.
The key is: You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Taking it step by step brings clarity and reduces risks.
For more on strategic approaches to simplify the migration process and what to consider during the planning phase, check out our blog post, “No lock-ins, no limits. Best practices for a seamless migration to Shopware”.
Conclusion: those who break free play their cards right
In a market environment that is changing faster than ever, technological independence is a crucial competitive advantage. Companies that free themselves from vendor lock-in not only gain control over their data but also strategic freedom for future growth.
Choosing an API-first, open-source, or headless solution can be a significant advantage to not only remain stable amidst economic uncertainties but also actively drive growth.
If you want to learn more about the possibilities with Shopware, take a look at our pricing and plans. You’ll get an overview of features and cost models – and find out which model best fits your growth plans.
Or talk to us directly to discover how migrating to Shopware can help your business become more independent, flexible, and successful.
Further reading on this topic
Would you like to dive deeper into the topic of vendor lock-in? Then we recommend our blog series on the subject. Here’s part 1 – including a checklist: Is vendor lock-in limiting your growth?
Are you interested in why ecommerce platforms play a particularly strategic role in today’s uncertain times? Then be sure to read part 1 of our blog series, “Ecommerce in uncertain times.”
