In relation to my experience explained in the article “Two deaths foretold. Lessons learned“, I have asked myself questions about how to prepare for the possible closure of a service. Whether you are the provider or the user.
And when I ask myself questions, I like to see how ChatGPT solves them.
Here are my questions and their answers:
How should a service provider manage the shutdown of a SaaS service to minimise the impact on their brand?
A SaaS service provider should manage the shutdown of a service in the following way to minimise the impact on their brand:
- Communicate clearly and early: inform customers in advance of the service closure, providing a clear deadline and a detailed explanation of the reasons for the closure.
- Offer alternatives: provide viable and good-enough options for customers who depend on the service to be closed.
- Ensure smooth transition: provide resources and assistance to help customers migrate to an alternative solution efficiently and without disruption.
- Listen to customers: be open to customers’ suggestions and concerns and work with them to resolve any issues or concerns.
- Maintain a good relationship: treat customers with respect and professionalism throughout the entire closing process, even after it has concluded.
By following these steps, a SaaS service provider can minimise the negative impact on its brand and maintain a good relationship with its customers over the long term.
List 5 examples of SaaS service closures that have had a negative impact on their brands
- Google Reader: The surprise closure of Google Reader in 2013 created a wave of discontent among users of the RSS reader service, who felt abandoned by the company.
- Yahoo Groups: The closure of Yahoo Groups in 2020 caused great unrest among users of the online community platform, who had built and maintained groups over the years.
- Vine: Vine’s closure in 2017 sparked anger among many of its users and content creators, who relied on the platform to monetise their work and build their personal brand.
- Parse: The closure of Parse in 2017 left many developers without a reliable platform to host their mobile apps, leading to a great deal of discontent.
- MixBit: MixBit’s closure in 2016 generated frustration among its users, who had invested time and energy in creating content for the social video platform.
And five examples of the opposite
- Microsoft Teams: Microsoft announced the discontinuation of Skype for Business in favour of Microsoft Teams, and provided users with a smooth transition plan with resources and tools to help them migrate smoothly to the new platform.
- Slack: Slack announced the closure of the HipChat messaging platform, and provided users with a Slack migration offer with a seamless experience and a wealth of resources to help them make the transition.
- Dropbox: Dropbox announced the closure of Mailbox, an email application, and provided users with a migration plan to other email solutions, as well as resources and assistance during the process.
- SoundCloud: SoundCloud announced the discontinuation of several features of the platform, and provided users with detailed planning and resources to help them transition to other solutions.
- GitHub: GitHub announced the closure of the CodeHaven platform, and provided users with a GitHub migration offer with resources and tools to help them make the transition smoothly.
How should I prepare as a customer in case one of the SaaS services I use shuts down at some point?
As a customer of a SaaS service, you can prepare yourself in the following ways to minimise the impact in the event of a shutdown:
- Know your options: research other similar platforms and services that may meet your needs, and keep up to date on best practices and market trends.
- Make regular backups: make sure you have backup copies of your data and content in a safe and accessible place, in case you need to access them after the shutdown.
- Know the terms and conditions: read the terms and conditions of the SaaS service carefully, and make sure you understand the shutdown and migration policies and procedures.
- Stay informed: Follow company communications and announcements to be aware of any changes or scheduled shutdowns.
- Plan for migration: If you have technical expertise or internal resources, consider preparing a migration plan for your data and processes before the shutdown occurs.
Remember that good preparation and planning will allow you to minimise the impact in the event of a SaaS service shutdown, and protect your valuable data and content.
Write a call to action to motivate entrepreneurs to take advantage of Joan Carbonell’s business and technology consulting to prepare their businesses for technology changes.
“Is your business ready to face technological changes and take advantage of growth opportunities? Don’t risk your company’s success, take advantage of Joan Carbonell’s business and technology consulting. With his extensive experience and expertise, Joan can help you prepare your business for technological changes and maximise your growth opportunities. Don’t wait any longer, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and make sure your business is ready for the future!”
Something a little more informal and approachable
“Want to always be one step ahead of the technology game and ensure the success of your business? Let Joan Carbonell show you how. With his extensive experience and expertise in business and technology consulting, Joan will help you be ready for change and take advantage of every opportunity. Don’t get left behind, schedule your free consultation today and let Joan show you how to future-proof your business!”
Perfect. Thank you!
You’re welcome, it was a pleasure helping you! If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here to help you.
PS: The answers transcribed here have been generated by ChatGPT and not modified in any way except for the translation from Spanish to English. As always, use with caution.
PS2: If you need help both in reviewing the status of the services you use and preparing for possible shutdowns, and in using ChatGPT you can contact me here.