WaaS: Websites As A Service

  by Kyle Prinsloo      Last updated Nov 26, 2022

In this article, I’ll be talking about WaaS.

What is WaaS?

Websites As A Service.

It’s an exciting new trend in web design pricing, so let's get into it!

🎥 Prefer watching? Here’s the video:

What is WaaS?

A subscription based pricing model selling services like web design.

How It Works:

There are generally 2 types pricing.

💰 Bigger amounts (usually includes other services):

$1,000 /mo → $5,000 /mo

💵 Smaller amounts with no once-off pricing (usually only a website + hosting):

$50 → $200 /mo

WaaS Examples:

DesignJoy

Unlimited Design and Web Design Subscription

DesignDash

Unlimited Web Design Subscription

RVParkWebsites

Website Subscription for RV Parks

IceCreamShopWebsites

Website Subscription for Ice Cream Shops

Webpartner

Website Subscription with over 10,000 clients. Now not all of them could be on the subscription, but if only 10% are on the subscription model, it adds up to a very good predictable recurring income to allow you to outsource and have a business that runs without you, at a hefty profit.

Now that we have a few examples, let’s look at the pros & cons of this pricing strategy:

✅ Pros

• much easier to convert a lead into a client.
• template-focused websites - it’s crucial you are offering a template website design and not a custom website as you need to create websites extremely fast, within 1 day, so that it’s financially feasible.
• 50 → 100+ clients = amazing recurring income.
• You can avoid the valley income so many freelance web designers experience each month. One month, great. The next month, I need a full-time job.

Let’s take a look at the cons:

❌ Cons

• It can be unsustainable if not done correctly. For example, Brett from DesignJoy managed to grow to a massive income, over $1m /yr, but eventually burnt out.
• An easy solution would be to hire amazing talent, but he wanted to do everything himself, hence the unsustainability, which he’s now resolved.
• It also takes a long time to make this pricing strategy financially feasible.
• Another thing to consider is you need to manage cashflow well and be lean, especially in the beginning.

Alright, that’s it - a quick overview of this pricing strategy.

I tried to get to the point here, but let me know what you think and if you have any questions?

For further reading on this topic, check Adam's article here.

Also consider joining my free freelancing community for web designers and developers with 800+ others, called Freelancer X. Join us here.

And if you’re interested in building websites using a drag-and-drop builder, consider using Editor X - it’s my favorite nocode web building platform.

Cheers for now 🙂

Kyle