Imagine this: Your agency has been grinding away at one-off website projects, battling tight deadlines and unpredictable revenue. Then, one day, you discover the magic of Website-as-a-Service (WaaS).
And now, you’re sitting back and enjoying a steady stream of recurring income, month after month. In this blog, we’ll break down whether the WaaS model is the golden ticket to scaling your agency’s profits or just another shiny object. Spoiler alert: it’s the former. Let’s see how WaaS can transform your revenue game.
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What is Website-as-a-Service (WaaS) – A Quick Overview
Website-as-a-Service (WaaS) is a modern business model that allows agencies to provide clients with fully managed websites through a subscription-based service. Instead of building one-off websites and charging clients a lump sum, WaaS enables agencies to offer ongoing website management, including updates, security, backups, and support—usually for a recurring monthly or annual fee.
Think of WaaS as a Netflix subscription, but for websites. Just like how Netflix provides continuous content access for a monthly fee, WaaS offers continuous website access and management. This model allows agencies to create a long-term, recurring revenue stream while providing clients with hassle-free website maintenance.
For example, an agency offering WaaS could set up a small business website for a client and charge them a fixed monthly fee that includes WordPress hosting, security updates, backups, WordPress maintenance reports, and SEO optimization.
The client gets a worry-free experience, while the agency enjoys predictable, recurring payments. This way, both sides benefit from the consistent, ongoing nature of WaaS.
We have a detailed website as a service guide for you.
Can Every Agency Opt for the Website as a Service (WaaS) Model?
More revenue streams, recurring income, and a bunch of paying clients—sounds too good to be true, right? But here’s the kicker: not every agency is ready to jump on the WaaS bandwagon, and not every agency should.
WaaS offers fantastic potential for agencies, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. So, can any agency just dive into this shiny new model?
Here’s the thing: while WaaS is a dream come true for many agencies, it requires a shift in how you operate. If you’ve been happily living in the world of one-off projects, it might take a little time to adjust.
Sure, recurring revenue sounds like a sweet deal, but it comes with its own set of expectations and challenges.
- Initial Setup Complexity: Setting up WaaS requires significant time to create templates, define pricing, and integrate hosting, payment, and client management tools. A learning curve is involved as new processes and tools are introduced.
- Ongoing Maintenance: With WaaS, client websites must be maintained, updated, and monitored regularly. Though automation helps, ongoing attention is necessary to ensure smooth operations.
- Client Expectations: Clients often expect high levels of support and quick turnarounds. Managing these demands while offering a standardized service can be tricky, especially for smaller agencies.
- Scalability Issues: While WaaS can scale, agencies must have the right infrastructure—such as reliable hosting solutions—to support multiple clients. Without adequate resources, managing a growing WaaS client base can become overwhelming.
Considering all this, the website as a service model isn’t your cup of tea for:
Agencies that Thrive on One-Off Projects: If your agency lives on new projects and constantly shifting deadlines, switching to a WaaS model could feel like a drag. WaaS requires long-term commitment, and not every agency wants that kind of steady, ongoing work.
Agencies Without the Infrastructure: WaaS isn’t just about slapping a subscription fee on a website and calling it a day. You’ll need robust systems in place—secure hosting, regular updates, reliable payment gateways, and smooth client management tools. Without these, it’s like trying to run a marathon in flip-flops.
Agencies that Aren’t Ready to Scale: WaaS can be incredibly profitable, but only if you can scale it. If you’re a small agency with limited resources, the thought of managing dozens—or even hundreds—of client websites may feel overwhelming. So, unless you’ve got the bandwidth to handle that growth, WaaS could be more of a headache than a cash cow.
Now, you must be thinking about what type of agencies should go for website-as-a-service. Well, it works for many types of agencies.
Agencies Already in Web Development: If your agency is already building websites, particularly WordPress-based ones, WaaS is a natural next step. You’re already creating the product, so why not turn it into a subscription model that keeps on giving? Just think: no more chasing after new clients constantly—just happy ones paying for ongoing service. Sweet!
Agencies with a Strong Client Base: If you’ve built a solid roster of loyal clients who trust you with their websites, transitioning to WaaS could be a no-brainer. They already rely on you for maintenance and updates, so offering it as part of a subscription package can create an even more seamless experience for them—and a steady income stream for you.
Agencies That Can Handle Ongoing Support: WaaS isn’t just about building a website and walking away. It’s about offering continuous support, regular updates, and security patches. If your agency thrives on providing top-notch customer service and ongoing support, you’re halfway there.
Use Cases of Website as a Service Modal For Different Types of Agencies
Once you’re sure that you have the bandwidth to adopt the website-as-a-service model successfully, you should start learning how to use this revenue-generating goldmine based on the type of agency you own.
Small to Mid-Sized Web Development Agencies
Small and mid-sized agencies often face inconsistent cash flow from one-off projects. The WaaS model allows these agencies to shift to a subscription-based model where clients pay ongoing fees for hosting, maintenance, and updates.
By offering ongoing services, web development agencies can secure predictable, monthly revenue streams, reducing the pressure to constantly source new projects.
How They Can Use WaaS: They can develop a variety of pre-designed website templates for different industries and offer clients ongoing maintenance, security, and performance optimization. WaaS lets them provide a hassle-free, turnkey solution that goes beyond just building a site.
E-Commerce Agencies
E-commerce agencies need to stay on top of their clients’ constantly evolving needs—whether it’s adding new products, optimizing payment gateways, or maintaining site speed. WaaS allows them to deliver fully managed, scalable online stores with continuous updates and security patches, ensuring long-term relationships with clients and recurring revenue.
How They Can Use WaaS: E-commerce agencies can provide clients with managed WooCommerce or Shopify stores, offering not only the initial website build but also ongoing maintenance, product updates, and marketing integrations as part of a subscription model.
Design-Focused Agencies
Design agencies are typically known for delivering beautiful, custom websites on a one-off basis. By adopting the WaaS model, they can deliver templates and design updates on an ongoing basis, creating a continuous stream of income rather than relying on sporadic projects. WaaS offers a way to deliver stunning designs with recurring upsell opportunities.
How They Can Use WaaS: They can create a library of pre-designed, customizable templates and offer subscription-based access to those templates. Additionally, they can upsell services like seasonal design refreshes or additional design tweaks as part of a WaaS package.
Marketing Agencies
Marketing agencies already focus on driving traffic, leads, and conversions for their clients, and WaaS provides an opportunity to offer a fully integrated solution. With WaaS, marketing agencies can deliver ongoing website management alongside their digital marketing efforts, ensuring that the websites are always optimized, updated, and aligned with the marketing goals.
How They Can Use WaaS: Marketing agencies can offer WaaS as part of a larger digital marketing service package, combining ongoing SEO, content marketing, and lead generation with regular website updates and performance optimizations. This ensures long-term client retention and creates deeper relationships.
Niche Agencies (Local Business, Real Estate, etc.)
Niche agencies often work with clients who have highly specific needs, such as local businesses or real estate companies. WaaS allows them to create tailored templates for their target industries and offer ongoing website updates, like property listings or local promotions. WaaS gives these agencies an edge in providing specialized, recurring services that cater to their client’s ongoing business needs.
How They Can Use WaaS: For example, a real estate agency could create customizable templates for property listings and offer regular updates and website maintenance as part of a WaaS package. They could also provide ongoing updates to local businesses to ensure their websites reflect changing business hours, events, or seasonal promotions.
Are You WaaS Ready?
The Website-as-a-Service (WaaS) model isn’t just a trend – it’s a game-changer for WordPress agencies looking to secure predictable, recurring revenue and build lasting client relationships. Whether you’re a web development agency, an e-commerce expert, or a design-driven agency, WaaS can help streamline your services and maximize your profits.
Ready to take your agency to the next level with WaaS? Choose the right platform and watch your agency thrive with ongoing revenue, happy clients, and a sustainable business model.
