How to Build a WaaS using InstaWP When Your Host is Not Supported by the Platform

Creating a Website as a Service (WaaS) with WordPress opens up a highly scalable way for agencies, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to serve clients.?

A WaaS lets users set up fully functional websites with custom features on demand, automating much of the creation process and providing a streamlined user experience. If InstaWP is your go-to platform but your hosting provider isn't directly supported, no worries—there are ways to connect everything seamlessly.

This guide explores the steps to set up a WaaS using InstaWP while integrating a hosting provider not directly supported by the platform. Following these instructions will enable smooth deployments and fast, reliable service for your WaaS, even if your host isn’t officially on the InstaWP list.

Step 1: Understand What a WaaS Does for WordPress

A WaaS model turns web development into an on-demand service. Instead of building sites one by one, you provide a platform where users can select a website package or template and instantly deploy it. The concept is highly scalable, allowing a single setup to serve multiple clients with individualized websites, including pre-configured themes, plugins, and layouts tailored to different industries or needs.

By using InstaWP’s staging capabilities and its automation features, your WaaS can offer clients a ready-to-launch WordPress environment that’s fast, secure, and easy to manage. However, if your hosting provider isn’t directly supported by InstaWP, setting up a WaaS does require some extra steps—primarily involving the use of an intermediary control panel.

Know more about how WaaS (Website as a Service) works for WordPress Agencies →

Step 2: Integrating Your Hosting Provider with InstaWP

Since InstaWP directly supports several hosts, using a control panel acts as a bridge to integrate unsupported hosts. This setup involves choosing and installing a control panel compatible with both InstaWP and your server, enabling smooth deployments across any hosting infrastructure.

Identify a Compatible Control Panel

First, review InstaWP’s list of supported control panels. Look for those labeled as “Control Panel” options that will facilitate server management, such as Runcloud or ServerAvatar. These control panels offer server management tools that make connecting an unsupported host to InstaWP much more straightforward.

• Tip: Opt for a control panel that offers a user-friendly interface and robust server management features. The right choice simplifies administration and improves performance by allowing for streamlined server control.

Step 3: Setting Up Your Server

With your control panel chosen, proceed to set up your server environment. This part involves selecting the right resources and ensuring you have full control over the server.

Provision Your Server

Start by provisioning a server, which can be a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or a dedicated server, through your hosting provider. When choosing your server specifications, consider the requirements of your WaaS:

• CPU: Opt for a multi-core processor to handle the demands of multiple sites and users.
• RAM: Choose sufficient memory to manage high traffic and complex tasks.
• Storage: Ensure enough disk space to support the data requirements of multiple WordPress sites, especially if you offer media-rich or e-commerce sites.

After provisioning, ensure you have root access to the server. Root access is essential as it gives you complete control over configurations, software installations, and security protocols, allowing for a customized setup that can handle the unique needs of a WaaS.

Install the Control Panel on Your Server

With root access confirmed, you can now install the selected control panel. Follow the official documentation from the control panel provider to install it on your VPS or dedicated server.

Typically, the installation steps involve:

1. Logging into your server via SSH.
2. Running the necessary setup commands to download and install the control panel.
3. Configuring basic settings, including passwords and security measures.

Configure Your Control Panel

After installation, take time to fine-tune your control panel’s settings for optimal performance, security, and resource allocation. Configuration settings vary depending on the control panel but generally include performance optimization options, security configurations, and resource management settings.

• Important: Ensuring that your control panel is well-configured can significantly enhance your WaaS’s reliability and speed. Follow the control panel’s best practices for secure and efficient server management.

Step 4: Connect the Control Panel to InstaWP

With your server and control panel ready, you can now connect the control panel to InstaWP, creating a direct pipeline for website deployment.

Add the Control Panel to InstaWP’s Dashboard

InstaWP allows integration with compatible control panels to bridge unsupported hosts. To set this up, navigate to the “Connect” dashboard in InstaWP, where you’ll be able to add the control panel to your InstaWP account. From here:

1. Select “Add Hosting Partner.”
2. Choose your control panel from the supported list.
3. Follow the instructions to complete the connection.

Once connected, InstaWP will communicate with your control panel, allowing you to deploy, manage, and update sites on the server, even if your primary hosting provider isn’t directly supported.

Managing Sites on Your WaaS Platform

Once connected, the control panel acts as a conduit between InstaWP and your server, enabling your WaaS to run smoothly on an unsupported hosting provider. From your InstaWP dashboard, you can manage WordPress sites with functions like cloning, updating, and site restoration, all integrated seamlessly with your hosting environment.

Step 5: Create Custom Site Templates for Your WaaS

One of the core strengths of a WaaS model is providing users with customizable, industry-specific templates that meet their needs right out of the box. InstaWP lets you create and save these templates in WordPress staging so clients can quickly deploy pre-built WordPress sites.

Define Templates for Different Use Cases

Consider defining templates for popular industry verticals or website types, such as:

• E-commerce stores
• Portfolio sites
• Blogs or news sites
• Corporate websites

With templates ready, clients can choose from options that align with their needs, reducing the amount of customization required on their end and speeding up the time to launch.

Enable Automatic Updates

Since you’ll be running multiple client sites, it’s essential to keep everything updated and secure. Use InstaWP’s built-in tools to schedule automated updates for plugins, themes, and core files. Automating these updates is crucial to keeping your WaaS platform secure and up-to-date without requiring manual intervention on each client site.

Step 6: Offer a Self-Serve Portal for Users

To further streamline your WaaS, consider creating a self-serve portal that enables clients to deploy, manage, and access support directly from their dashboard. InstaWP provides tools to manage multiple WordPress sites, making it easier to monitor and support your WaaS users with minimal input.

1. Create User Accounts: Set up user accounts so clients can log in and access their site controls.
2. Provide Documentation: Offer FAQs or guides within the portal to answer common setup or customization questions.
3. Automate Support Channels: Enable users to submit support requests directly from their portal to streamline issue resolution.

Step 7: Testing and Monitoring Your WaaS Platform

A successful WaaS is not only easy to use but also highly reliable. Before launching, thoroughly test the platform, ensuring that all features—especially those related to deployment and management—work seamlessly.

1. Conduct Load Tests: Simulate high traffic to evaluate your server’s response and confirm it can handle multiple sites.
2. Monitor Server Performance: Use monitoring tools to keep track of server health, security, and resource usage.
3. Regular Backups: Regularly back up client sites to prevent data loss and ensure you have restoration options if issues arise.

Building a WaaS with InstaWP and an Unsupported Host: Summary

Creating a WaaS with InstaWP while using an unsupported host is achievable with a few additional steps, primarily involving a compatible control panel. InstaWP’s flexibility and automation features enable you to build, manage, and deploy multiple WordPress sites seamlessly. With these steps, anyone looking to offer a WaaS can set up a scalable and reliable platform that offers users on-demand website functionality, even if InstaWP doesn’t directly support the chosen hosting provider.

Whether it's for small businesses, bloggers, or e-commerce sites, a well-designed WaaS empowers users to launch websites quickly and manage them with ease. Now, take these steps and start building an efficient, customer-friendly WaaS with InstaWP today!