AWS for the services where it's the best choice — not as a default for everything.
Targeted AWS service integration for Next.js applications — S3 for file storage, RDS for managed Postgres, SQS for job queues, SES for email, and CloudFront for CDN. AWS where it's the right tool; Vercel and simpler services where they're better.
Application that needs AWS services — file storage, background job processing, managed databases — but lacks the configuration to use them correctly and securely
AWS is the world's largest cloud provider with 200+ services. That breadth is its power and its complexity. "Use AWS" isn't an architecture decision — it's a starting point for a much more specific question: which AWS services, configured how, with what IAM permissions.
The common AWS implementation mistakes:
Overly permissive IAM. Applications running with AdministratorAccess or FullAccess policies are a security liability. IAM policies should follow the principle of least privilege: the application can only access the specific resources it needs.
Credentials in code. AWS access keys hardcoded in source files or committed to git. Any repository exposure leaks the credentials. Use IAM roles for EC2/ECS, environment variables for other runtimes, never hardcoded values.
Not understanding the cost model. AWS pricing is complex. Data transfer costs are often surprising. An architecture that seems reasonable produces an unexpected bill due to cross-AZ data transfer, NAT Gateway traffic, or API call volume.
Wrong tool for the job. EC2 instances for serving a Next.js application that would be better served by Vercel. Self-managed Postgres on EC2 instead of RDS. Lambda functions for operations that don't need serverless isolation.
AWS service integration with proper IAM permissions, encrypted storage, and the managed services that handle the infrastructure your application needs
S3 file storage
Bucket creation with server-side encryption and access policies. Pre-signed URL generation for secure uploads from the browser. CloudFront CDN distribution for file delivery.
RDS Postgres
Multi-AZ RDS PostgreSQL. VPC security groups restricting access to application instances only. Automated backups.
SQS job queues
FIFO or standard queues for background job processing. Dead letter queue for failed job handling. Consumer Lambda or worker configuration.
IAM
Application-specific IAM role with least-privilege policies. Access key rotation. Service-to-service authentication via IAM roles.
SES email
SES domain verification and DKIM configuration. Production access request. Bounce and complaint handling via SNS.
One honest number to start.
Fixed-scope, fixed-price. The number below is the starting point — final scope is built from your brief.
AWS service integration with proper IAM permissions, encrypted storage, and the managed services that handle the infrastructure your application needs
Three steps, every time.
The same repeatable engagement on every project. No surprises, no mystery, no billable ambiguity.
Brief & discovery.
We send you questions, then get on a call. Output: a written scope with every step, feature, and integration listed.
Build & ship.
Fixed schedule, weekly reviews. No scope creep unless you change the scope — and if you do, we reprice it transparently.
Warranty & retainer.
30-day warranty on every launch. Most clients stay on a monthly retainer for ongoing features and maintenance.
Why Fixed-Price Matters Here
AWS scope is defined by which services the application needs. Fixed price.
Related engagements.
S3 is the right choice for large-scale file storage. The access control patterns are where it goes wrong.
Read more02Vercel is the deployment platform that makes Next.js performance automatic — when configured correctly.
Read more03Containerization makes the application run identically in every environment.
Read moreQuestions, answered.
Vercel for Next.js application hosting — it's optimized for Next.js and handles edge functions, CDN, and deployment without configuration. AWS for: file storage (S3), background job processing (SQS + Lambda/workers), managed databases (RDS), and services Vercel doesn't offer. The common pattern: Vercel for the application, AWS for supporting services.
AWS Cost Explorer for visibility. Budget alerts at defined thresholds. Architecture review for unexpected costs. Reservations (1-year or 3-year) for predictable workloads. Most startup applications can be run on AWS for <$200/month with the right service selection.
Part of the application build. Full application from $25k. Fixed-price.
Tell Ryel about your project.
Describe what you’re building and what outcome you need. You’ll have a written, fixed-price scope within the week.