Website as a service (often shortened to WaaS) means paying a monthly fee for a website that someone else designs, hosts and maintains, instead of buying it once and looking after it yourself. It works like any other subscription: you get a working website and ongoing support for as long as you pay, usually with little or no upfront cost.
The term covers quite different offers, from a $30 DIY builder to a $5,000-a-month design team. Below are five common website as a service examples, what each typically costs and who it suits.
How website as a service works
Most WaaS providers follow the same pattern. You choose a plan, they build the site (or give you the tools to build it), and the monthly fee covers hosting, security, software updates and some level of changes and support. Higher plans add things like SEO, booking systems, e-commerce or reporting. Contracts range from month-to-month to 12 or 24 months.
The appeal is predictability. Instead of a $5,000 to $15,000 bill on day one and surprise invoices later, you pay one known amount every month.
5 website as a service examples
| Model | Typical price | Who does the work | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. DIY website builder | $15–$60/month | You | Simple sites, tight budgets, plenty of time |
| 2. Template site with setup | $50–$150/month | Provider sets up, you request small changes | Getting online fast with minimal effort |
| 3. Done-for-you small business subscription | $150–$700/month | Provider designs, builds and runs it | Service businesses that need leads and updates |
| 4. WordPress care plan | $50–$300/month | Provider maintains a site you already own | Businesses that have a site and want it looked after |
| 5. Unlimited design and development | $2,000–$6,000/month | A dedicated team works through a request queue | Funded startups and agencies with constant changes |
1. DIY website builders
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace and Shopify are technically website as a service: you rent the software, hosting and templates for a monthly fee. They are the cheapest option, but you do the design, writing, SEO and updates yourself.
2. Template sites with setup
Some providers take a ready-made template, add your logo, text and photos, and host it for a modest monthly fee. It is quick and affordable, but every client in your industry may end up with a similar-looking site, and customisation is limited.
3. Done-for-you subscriptions for small businesses
This is what most people mean by website as a service: a custom-designed website built and run by one team for a monthly fee, typically $150 to $700. Hosting, security, content updates and support are included, and higher plans add SEO, online booking, CRMs or AI tools. It suits service businesses such as trades, clinics, salons and cleaners that need a site that wins enquiries without managing it themselves. This is the model we use; see how our web design subscription works.
4. WordPress care plans
If you already own a website, a care plan covers hosting, backups, security, plugin updates and a set amount of changes each month. It is website maintenance as a service rather than a full WaaS, because the site itself was built separately.
5. Unlimited design and development subscriptions
At the top end, productised agencies offer a team that works through unlimited requests for a flat monthly fee, often several thousand dollars. It is excellent value for companies with a constant stream of design and development work, and far more than most small businesses need.
What is usually included
- Website design and build, either custom or template-based
- Hosting, SSL certificate, backups and security monitoring
- Software and plugin updates
- Content changes, either a set number per month or unlimited
- Support by email, chat or WhatsApp
- On some plans: SEO, Google Business Profile management, booking, e-commerce and reporting
Pros and cons of website as a service
- Pro: little or no upfront cost, which protects cash flow.
- Pro: the site is kept fast, secure and up to date without you managing it.
- Pro: one predictable bill instead of several suppliers.
- Con: you pay for as long as you use it, so it can cost more than a one-off build over many years.
- Con: ownership of the design and code varies between providers.
- Con: long minimum contracts with some providers make switching hard.
For a full cost comparison, read web design subscription vs one-time payment and how much a website costs per month.
Questions to ask a website as a service provider
- Is the design custom or a template?
- How many changes can I request each month, and how fast are they made?
- Is there a setup fee or a minimum contract?
- Who owns the domain, content, design and code?
- What happens to the website if I cancel?
- Are SEO, booking or other tools included, or extra?
Website as a service with Velaris
Our plans start at $199 a month for a custom website with hosting, security, a business email and 10 updates a month, with no setup fee and 30 days' notice to cancel. Growth at $399 adds online booking, unlimited updates and SEO; Scale from $699 adds custom software and AI. Your domain is registered in your name. Compare everything on our small business web design packages page, or, in the UK, see our pay monthly websites.
Frequently asked questions
Is website as a service worth it?
For most small service businesses, yes, if the provider keeps the site updated and the contract is flexible. It is less worthwhile if your site rarely changes and you are happy to manage hosting and updates yourself.
Is Wix website as a service?
In a broad sense, yes: you pay monthly for the platform and hosting. But you do all the design and maintenance, whereas a done-for-you WaaS provider does that work for you.
Can I start a website as a service business?
Yes. Many freelancers and small agencies now sell monthly website plans because recurring revenue is more predictable than one-off projects. The key is choosing a niche, keeping the tech stack simple and being clear about what each plan includes.