Directing your reply to chrisser, the OP, since this is his/her project. Nothing to do with me... though I agree with your sentiment.
Sorry if I read it wrong, I just saw you suggest Google services... Maybe it was in sarcasm?
What is wrong with the net today? Google API services... Even ICANN was bitten by the bug and will not let their site fully function without Google services. That means Google indirectly owns the ICANN domain registry along with every site on the net that uses their services.
It can absolutely be done without Google, Been running a domain and website for ten years without it no problem.