Create WaaS
A 'Website as a Service' (WaaS) or as few call it - SaaS is a way to offer ready made templates combined with a hosting service. This is typically used by agencies to automate the process of provisioning websites on-demand by their customers.
InstaWP allows you to build WaaS (a great source of recurring revenue) by creating pre-built templates and setting all related hosting settings, letting your customers create their own websites.
Creation of a WaaS involves following steps:
Create a shared template
Monetize the template
Connect a hosting account or use our Live partners like InstaWP Live.
Build the WaaS with all the options we support (explained below).
In this documentation, we will explore the steps to create a new WaaS in your InstaWP account.
Let’s get started 🚀
Note: If you don't see WaaS option on the navigation bar, you need to add from collections. For more information, refer to the Dashboard overview doc.
Using the demonstration below, let's try to create a new WaaS.
An Options dialog will appear, asking you to enable/disable the following options:
Skip InstaWP demo site creation: When switched off, a demo/trial site will be created on InstaWP before going live.
Ask for payment in the beginning: By default, we will ask for credit card details and charge the card during the setup. This option only available when the above option is switched off.
Skip steps for choosing template or hosting: If only one hosting or template is available, skip that step in checkout.
Language: A language chooser feature that benefits your English, Spanish, and German customers can help you reach a worldwide audience.
A Hosting Settings dialog will appear, asking you to enter the values in the following fields:
A Branding dialog will appear, where you can make your WaaS look unique by personalizing the following available options:
For more information, you can refer to the Shared template: Branding document.
Note: If the user is using a premium paid plugins on some of their templates, then the license keys for the plugins be transferred as a part of purchase for others.
InstaWP gives you access to the WaaS landing page, which is visible to the users with whom you have shared your WaaS link. Users can create their own site using WaaS, which offers ready-made templates combined with a hosting service.
Using the demonstration below, let's try to create a site using WaaS with InstaWP Live hosting.
Note: There are some options that can only be available on your landing page when they are enabled while creating WaaS, such as asking for payment at the beginning or skipping steps for choosing a single template or hosting plan.
Note: If you have the white-label domain addon, the suffix domain can be customized. If not, custom subdomain will be created over an InstaWP domain (*.instawp.app).
Once the site is created, the user can find the options to manage their site such as map domain, contact support link or cancel plan.
Note: If the user has created WaaS by disabling the "Skip InstaWP demo site creation" option, then, they can Go live from their site's WP Admin panel.
💡 Did you know - You can connect to other hosting provider servers that are available. Learn about hosting integration on the respective Runcloud & Server Avatar documents.
InstaWP allows you to build WaaS (a great source of recurring revenue) by creating pre-built templates and setting all related hosting settings, letting your customers create their own websites.
Creation of a WaaS involves following steps:
Create a shared template
Monetize the template
Connect a hosting account or use our Live partners like InstaWP Live.
Build the WaaS with all the options we support (explained below).
In this documentation, we will explore the steps to create a new WaaS in your InstaWP account.
Let’s get started 🚀
Note: If you don't see WaaS option on the navigation bar, you need to add from collections. For more information, refer to the Dashboard overview doc.
Using the demonstration below, let's try to create a new WaaS.
An Options dialog will appear, asking you to enable/disable the following options:
Skip InstaWP demo site creation: When switched off, a demo/trial site will be created on InstaWP before going live.
Ask for payment in the beginning: By default, we will ask for credit card details and charge the card during the setup. This option only available when the above option is switched off.
Skip steps for choosing template or hosting: If only one hosting or template is available, skip that step in checkout.
Language: A language chooser feature that benefits your English, Spanish, and German customers can help you reach a worldwide audience.
A Hosting Settings dialog will appear, asking you to enter the values in the following fields:
| Options | Description |
|---|---|
| Plan Name | Edit hosting plan name. |
| Type | Hosting Type is Free or Paid, choose Free when you are using your own Payment Gateway. |
| Plan Price | On choosing Paid type plan configure frequency with Monthly or Yearly option. |
| Template Price | Price from Add to price or Waived off (to waive off the template price if the user buys the hosting). |
| WP User Role | This enables you to assign user roles to customers when selling WaaS and gives you control over user permissions, which ensures security and access management. By default, an administrator is named. |
| Server Alias | Select a hosting from your connected hosting providers. |
| Sub Domain | Select a sub domain name from your connected hosting provider. |
| Pack | Select the pack from the followings: Lite (25 GB Disk, 2 CPU) - $ 18/mo), Boost (25 GB Disk, 3 CPU) - $ 20/mo), etc. |
| More Options | Depending on the hosting provider, you will be asked several options. |
A Branding dialog will appear, where you can make your WaaS look unique by personalizing the following available options:
| Options | Description |
|---|---|
| Logo | Upload a logo image (png, jpg, jpeg, or svg) for your shared template from your local storage. |
| Brand Color | Change your brand's primary, secondary actions and background colors. |
| Custom CSS | Customize the design to match your style and make them look really unique, matching perfectly with your branding. |
| Custom Support Link | Provide support to your customers on your own, by adding a Custom Support Link. |
| Customize Email | Customize your default email's subject and body text using more variables. |
For more information, you can refer to the Shared template: Branding document.
Note: If the user is using a premium paid plugins on some of their templates, then the license keys for the plugins be transferred as a part of purchase for others.
WaaS Landing Page
InstaWP gives you access to the WaaS landing page, which is visible to the users with whom you have shared your WaaS link. Users can create their own site using WaaS, which offers ready-made templates combined with a hosting service.
Using the demonstration below, let's try to create a site using WaaS with InstaWP Live hosting.
Note: There are some options that can only be available on your landing page when they are enabled while creating WaaS, such as asking for payment at the beginning or skipping steps for choosing a single template or hosting plan.
Note: If you have the white-label domain addon, the suffix domain can be customized. If not, custom subdomain will be created over an InstaWP domain (*.instawp.app).
Once the site is created, the user can find the options to manage their site such as map domain, contact support link or cancel plan.
Note: If the user has created WaaS by disabling the "Skip InstaWP demo site creation" option, then, they can Go live from their site's WP Admin panel.
💡 Did you know - You can connect to other hosting provider servers that are available. Learn about hosting integration on the respective Runcloud & Server Avatar documents.
Updated on: 26/04/2024
Thank you!