As per SaaS Academy, there are approximately 14 billion SaaS users in 2024. And it’s because of the convenience SaaS brings for its users.
What if you, as a developer/agency, could unlock the same level of convenience for your clients?
WordPress SaaS (Software as a Service), or WaaS (Website as a Service), can help you there.
WaaS is a subscription-based model where you outsource the entire process of website creation, hosting, and management to professionals. With WaaS, you get a fully functional website without the hassle of technical details, allowing you to focus on your business while experts handle your online presence.
Once you have read this article to the end, you will be all set to become a WaaS agency that rules the WordPress world.
Table of Contents
Importance of WaaS for agencies
When you (with your team) work from a fully equipped office space managed by a co-working space or a rented office owner, you don’t have to worry about setting up utilities, cleaning, or repairs. WaaS is the way to give away the hassles of website development, just like that.
For any WordPress development agency looking forward to delivering more projects on a regular basis, WaaS is the solution.
WaaS enables agencies to focus on delivering value-added services rather than getting bogged down in technical intricacies, alongside improvingthe user experience for the customers. It helps you stay competitive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
As WaaS brings multiple operations together, you can expect a 20% rise in team productivity just by switching to WaaS-oriented development.
By selling Website as a Service (WaaS) solutions, agencies can:
- Streamline their operations
- Reduce overhead costs
- Offer more comprehensive services to their clients.
- Scale their business efficiently
Overall, WaaS is a game-changer for WordPress agencies, allowing them to deliver top-notch websites while maximizing profitability and client satisfaction.
Website Development Challenges that WaaS can Resolve
Note: When we talk about the challenges WaaS can help you resolve, we are talking about InstaWP’s WaaS for WordPress.
WaaS resolves all common website development and maintenance challenges you deal with. It offers a comprehensive, cost-effective, reusable, and scalable solution that empowers businesses to succeed online. Let’s help you recall a few:
1. Time Constraints
With WaaS and using IT outsourcing vendor selection criteria, businesses can save time by outsourcing website development tasks and allowing them to focus on core activities and business growth. Oh, and it also resolves time zone difference issues, as it lets you share the project via a shareable link and lets the clients ‘buy’ the website when they prefer!)
2. Cost Efficiency
The reusability of WaaS makes it cost-effective immediately. Plus, it eliminates the need for investing in expensive infrastructure and hiring dedicated technical staff.
With WordPress powering around 40% of websites around the world, there is a great scope for agencies offering more cost-efficiency, thus giving you an edge over others.
3. Scalability
WaaS platforms provide scalable solutions that can adapt to the changing needs and growth of businesses, ensuring that websites remain flexible and capable of handling increased traffic and functionality.
In fact, your WaaS will be as scalable as you want. After all, your client didn’t choose a local non-scalable hosting provider before they reached out to you 😉
4. Security and Updates
Your WaaS platform ensures that websites are secure and up-to-date with the latest software updates and security patches, reducing the risk of security breaches and downtime. You can also perform bulk edits to update plugins and themes for your client’s website from one screen.
5. Hosting Provider Hassles
WaaS removes the burden of dealing with clients’ hosting providers by offering integrated hosting services, allowing developers to focus on website development rather than troubleshooting hosting issues. You understand the pain, don’t you? 😫
6. Customization Challenges
WaaS platforms like InstaWP offer a range of customization options, from branding and styling to content management, empowering developers to create unique websites tailored to their clients’ needs without extensive coding.
7. Integration Complexity
InstaWP’s WaaS platform seamlessly integrates with popular tools such as WooCommerce, Sure, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD), and WHMCS, simplifying the process of managing payments and sites.
8. Website Maintenance
WaaS automates routine maintenance tasks, such as updates and backups, freeing developers from the ongoing burden of manual maintenance and ensuring websites remain secure and up-to-date effortlessly.
How to Build a WaaS in WordPress?
Step 1 – Create a Shared Template
Templates can cut project costs by 40%. Develop a variety of pre-designed website templates covering different industries and styles, ensuring they are user-friendly and customizable to meet diverse client needs.
Here’s how you can create a shared template in InstaWP.
Step 2 – Enable Monetization for your Template
Determine pricing structures for templates based on their complexity, design quality, and additional features, offering both one-time purchase options and subscription models to cater to varying client preferences.
Step 3 – Connect Hosting Accounts (Optional)
If you want to use your server hosted with a particular hosting provider, you can do that.
Alternatively, you can host your WaaS (and clients’ sites) with InstaWP Live – a hosting service truly optimized for WordPress. It’s easy, fast, and performant.
Step 4 – Finally, Build your WaaS!
Start by navigating to the WaaS page in your InstaWP dashboard. Sign up if you haven’t.
- Enter a name for your WaaS, choose a template, and choose preferred values for various options.
- Configure hosting parameters such as storage, bandwidth, and security protocols to optimize website performance and ensure reliable hosting for clients’ websites.
- Customize branding elements such as logos, color schemes, and typography to align with clients’ brand identities, enhancing brand consistency and professionalism across their websites.
- Design and build an engaging landing page for the WaaS offering, showcasing the benefits of the service, highlighting key features, and including clear calls-to-action to encourage conversions and client sign-ups.
Read the Complete Guide to Creating a WaaS here →
How can Agencies Sell WordPress WaaS?
Offer Comprehensive Packages: Create packages that include website design, development, hosting, maintenance, and support, tailored to different client needs, ensuring all-inclusive solutions that simplify website ownership. If you use InstaWP’s WaaS builder solution, you can easily do that.
Learn more about our WaaS solution →
Customize Solutions
Tailor WaaS offerings to meet specific client requirements, such as custom branding, e-commerce integration, and SEO optimization, ensuring personalized solutions that meet unique needs. You can brainstorm as well as collect the related information from your client in order to achieve the best results.
Provide Demonstrations
Offer demos or trials of InstaWP’s WaaS platform to showcase its features and benefits to potential clients, allowing them to experience the platform firsthand and envision their website’s potential.
If you are building WaaS using InstaWP, you always have the option to enable or disable demo site creation for your WordPress WaaS(s). It’s the latest feature we have added.
10+ New Features of our WaaS (Website as a Service) for WordPress →
Emphasize Support
Assure clients of ongoing technical support and assistance with website management tasks, reinforcing the value of choosing WaaS, building trust, and ensuring peace of mind.
For this, you can add a link to contact your support team while selling WaaS so that your customers can reach out to you immediately.
Offer Competitive Pricing
By providing cost-effective solutions that align with clients’ budgets, you will be able to sell more sites and earn more. So, price WaaS packages competitively to attract clients while ensuring profitability for the agency. For A/B Testing, you can create multiple packages with different hosting configurations in InstaWP.
Highlight Success Stories:
InstaWP lets you add a gallery to your WaaS. So, share case studies or testimonials of past clients who have benefited from InstaWP’s WaaS solution to build credibility and trust, demonstrating real-world results and inspiring confidence in the service. You can do the same through your website.
Final Word
WaaS is the website development service model your agency can benefit the most from.
By offering comprehensive packages, leveraging customizable templates, and providing seamless hosting integration, WordPress agencies can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and deliver exceptional value to clients. And InstaWP can be your best ally here.
Ready to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a competitive market? Adapt to evolving client needs by embracing WordPress WaaS. Get started today →
FAQs
What is the WaaS model?
WaaS (Website as a Service) is a subscription-based model where you pay a regular fee to access a fully managed, customizable website. So, whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or an aspiring blogger, WaaS takes the hassle out of website ownership.
What is WaaS website as a service?
WaaS is like having a team of experts handle every aspect – everything from designing and developing your site to hosting, maintenance, and updates is taken care of by your service provider. Opting for Website as a Service offers flexibility with different packages tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s basic maintenance or advanced e-commerce features.
Who uses WaaS?
Individuals, small or medium-sized businesses & enterprises benefit from WaaS, especially those seeking a hassle-free solution for website management. Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or aspiring blogger, WaaS offers a convenient way to access fully managed, customizable websites without the technical headaches.
Why do we need WaaS?
WaaS eliminates the complexities of website management by providing a comprehensive solution for designing, developing, hosting, and maintaining websites. It streamlines the process and brings everything into one dashboard. WaaS also allows your clients to focus on their core activities while you take care of technical aspects, ensuring a better user experience.
Can I offer WaaS as a WordPress Development Agency or Developer?
The answer is a resounding YES! As a WordPress development agency or developer, offering WaaS expands your service offerings and attracts a wider range of clients. It allows you to provide fully managed, customizable websites on a subscription basis, catering to clients who prefer a hassle-free approach to website ownership.
Why should my WordPress Agency start offering WaaS to Clients?
By offering WaaS, your WordPress agency can differentiate itself in the market and attract clients seeking comprehensive website solutions. It diversifies your revenue streams, enhances client retention, and positions your agency as a one-stop shop for website design, development, hosting, and maintenance.
Which WaaS platforms are available for WordPress developers today?
Several WaaS platforms cater specifically to WordPress developers, offering comprehensive solutions for website management. Popular options include InstaWP’s WaaS, WP Ultimo, RunCloud, Wildcloud, and Dollie. However, with built-in staging, hosting, migration, templates store, templating feature, demo builder, advanced tools, and Connect facility, InstaWP is the best choice you can make.
