Is Website as a Service (WaaS) Right for Your Leicester Business?

Building a website today isn't as simple as it seems. You can hire a professional and face high upfront costs. Or, you might tackle it yourself with a DIY builder, spending hours on design and tech. Even AI generators come with a catch: they're quick and cheap, but often result in a generic-looking site that still requires significant time to become a unique and effective tool for your business. With so many options and inherent trade-offs, feeling stuck is common. But what if a better way existed—one that’s affordable, professional, and truly supports your business long-term?

The Unseen Hurdles: Unpacking Common Website Solutions

If you're considering launching a new website, or perhaps rethinking an existing one, you'll likely encounter these common paths — each with its own set of unique challenges.

Hiring a Professional Agency or Freelancer: This often seems like the safest bet, but it typically comes with a hefty upfront cost. Unless you have a crystal-clear vision from the start, you might feel overwhelmed by choices, technical jargon, and the pressure to "drive the vision" yourself. This can lead to a lengthy development timeline, unexpected scope creep, and a final website that still falls short of your initial goals. What's more, ongoing support and updates usually cost extra – if they're even part of the package at all.

DIY website builders like Wix or Squarespace promise simplicity, but what they really offer is a possibility. You’re given the tools, but not the strategy. So you spend hours tweaking templates, second-guessing colours, writing your own copy, and trying to learn design on the fly — often late at night or in between everything else you’re trying to run. And even after all that effort, the final result might look okay, but it rarely performs well or feels aligned with your brand.

AI website generators seem like a clever shortcut — plug in your business name, pick a style, and get an instant site. But then the real work begins. You still need to replace placeholder text, customise images, and rework the structure to match your actual offer. These tools don’t understand your business goals, your audience, or what makes you different — so they churn out something that looks polished but says very little.

In the end, many business owners find themselves with a website that’s technically “done” but still not working. It doesn’t attract the right clients, doesn’t reflect their brand, and doesn’t grow with them. Worse, they've spent valuable time and energy just getting to that point — time they could’ve used building their business.

Why So Many Business Owners Feel Stuck

After all the time, energy, and money spent trying to build a website, many business owners still end up with something that just doesn’t work. It might look okay, but it doesn’t capture what makes your business unique — and it doesn’t turn visitors into leads or sales. Often, it just sits there: live, but doing little to support your growth.

By the time you realise it’s not working, you’ve already sunk hours into tweaking templates, rewriting placeholder text, or chasing down developers. And starting over? That feels exhausting.

This is where many people settle — with a site that technically “does the job,” but deep down, they know it’s not right. It’s not telling their story. It’s not attracting the right clients. It’s not built to grow with them. And no one’s there to help fix it.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not the problem. Most of the tools out there aren’t designed for business owners. They’re built for speed, scale, or simplicity — not for creating something that truly fits your business.

A Better Way Forward: Website as a Service

What if getting a great website didn’t mean choosing between high upfront costs, DIY overwhelm, or generic results?

Website as a Service (WaaS) presents a powerful alternative. Instead of a large upfront payment for a custom site or the struggle of a DIY build, this model delivers a professionally managed website as part of an affordable monthly plan. It operates as an ongoing service, not a single project.

Under WaaS, a business's website is continuously maintained and evolved. Updates, performance improvements, dedicated support, and strategic advice are typically encompassed within the plan. This approach aims to free business owners from the need to figure things out independently or settle for suboptimal results.

Ultimately, WaaS can provide businesses with a long-term collaborative relationship focused on consistent online growth, goal achievement, and measurable outcomes. Think of it like having a dedicated web team on call and focused on your online success, but for a fraction of the cost of a full-time salary.

Advantages of Website as a Service (WaaS)

When considering WaaS, it's clear why this model is gaining traction among businesses looking for a more streamlined approach to their online presence. It addresses many of the frustrations commonly associated with traditional web development.

No large upfront cost

Traditional website builds often require a large one-time investment, which can be tough for small businesses or startups. WaaS spreads the cost over time through manageable monthly payments — turning a big capital expense into a more predictable operating cost.

Saves time and mental energy

Business owners have enough on their plates. WaaS reduces the learning curve and decision fatigue that comes with DIY or piecemeal solutions, freeing you to focus on what drives your business forward.

Ongoing management and support

WaaS takes the technical upkeep off your plate. Hosting, domains, software updates, backups, and security are typically handled for you. That means fewer surprise issues — and no need to constantly chase down fixes or deal with confusing tech jargon.

Sites that evolve with your business

Many websites go live and then sit untouched for years. With WaaS, updates and improvements are part of the service — from design tweaks and performance tuning to SEO and content adjustments. Your site stays current, relevant, and aligned with your business goals.

Access to professional expertise

With WaaS, professional advice is typically integrated into your monthly fee. This means you gain the benefit of dedicated web expertise that feels like an extension of your own team, without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Content Creation (Optional)

Beyond just the website itself, some WaaS providers (like Myriago) extend their services to include content management. This can involve creating engaging rich media such as photos and videos, or even writing compelling blog posts, ensuring your site always has fresh, relevant material.

Social Media Management (Optional) 

Certain WaaS providers also offer social media assistance. This may include help with setting up and optimising social media accounts, developing a cohesive content strategy, and even managing your presence across various platforms.

What to Consider Before Choosing Website as a Service (WaaS)

While WaaS offers compelling advantages, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Like any business decision, it’s important to understand the full picture — especially the aspects that may not suit every situation. To help you make the best choice for your unique needs, here are some key points to consider before committing:

Ongoing Cost vs. One-Time Payment

One of WaaS’s biggest strengths — the shift to predictable monthly payments — can also be a point of consideration in the very long term. While the upfront cost is significantly lower, monthly fees accumulate over time. Depending on the provider and plan, the cumulative cost could theoretically exceed a one-time website build over many years. It's important to note, however, that this comparison often overlooks the built-in value of WaaS: ongoing updates, hosting, security, dedicated support, and continuous optimization, which would typically be separate and recurring expenses with a traditional site.

Dependence on the Provider

With WaaS, your website's infrastructure, updates, and performance rely heavily on your chosen provider. If your provider is responsive, experienced, and deeply aligned with your business needs, this can be a huge benefit. But a provider that is slow, rigid, or unclear in communication can quickly become a source of frustration. Choosing the right partner is critical — not just for the initial launch, but for the long-term health and success of your site.

Level of Customisation & Potential Extra Costs

While many WaaS providers offer custom design and flexible functionality, there are usually boundaries determined by their platform or service model. If your business has highly niche features, unusual third-party integrations, or advanced technical requirements, it’s worth discussing these in detail with potential providers early on. Some providers may charge extra for functionality that falls outside their standard scope, so be sure to thoroughly clarify what's included in the base plan and what might incur additional fees.

Control and Ownership Questions

In most WaaS models, the provider hosts and manages the website for you. This convenience also raises important questions about ownership. What happens if you decide to leave the service in the future? Will you be able to take your website's files, content, and underlying code with you, or will you need to start from scratch? Clarifying these details and understanding the provider's exit strategy upfront is crucial to avoid surprises later on.

Scalability and Long-Term Flexibility

WaaS platforms are generally built to adapt as your business grows — whether that means adding new features, updating your brand, or expanding your content. A good WaaS provider can adapt your existing site without the need to start over from scratch, ensuring your website evolves alongside your business. However, the exact level of flexibility and the ease of incorporating significant changes can vary between providers, so it’s worth asking how well the service supports truly evolving business needs over time.

Monthly Support and Development Limits

Most WaaS plans include a fixed amount of support or development time each month, covering things like minor updates, content tweaks, or small design changes. If your business anticipates needing more active support or frequent development work than the base plan allows, extra fees may apply. It's important to clarify what's precisely included in your monthly package so you can avoid unexpected costs and ensure the service matches your operational workflow.

Is WaaS Right for Your Business?

Given the distinct advantages and considerations of WaaS, it's clear that this model offers a particularly strong fit for certain types of businesses and entrepreneurs. If you recognise yourself in any of the descriptions below, WaaS might be an excellent solution for your online needs:

Startups and New Businesses

Reason: The significant upfront cost of a traditional website build can be a major barrier for new ventures. WaaS removes this hurdle by offering predictable monthly payments, freeing up crucial capital for other startup expenses. It allows new businesses to launch a professional online presence quickly and affordably.   

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Reason: Many SMEs need a powerful website but don't have the budget or ongoing need for a full-time in-house web designer, developer, or digital strategist. WaaS provides access to professional expertise and ongoing management that feels like an extension of their team, without the overhead of hiring multiple specialists. It allows them to focus on running their business, not their website.   

Busy Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Reason: If you're an owner juggling many responsibilities and prefer a hands-off approach to your website, WaaS is designed for you. It takes the technical burden, maintenance tasks, and update worries off your plate, freeing up valuable time and mental energy to focus on your core business activities.

Businesses Prioritising Predictable Budgeting

Reason: For those who prefer clarity in their finances, WaaS converts a potentially unpredictable capital expense (with hidden maintenance costs) into a fixed, manageable operational cost. This simplifies budgeting and financial forecasting.

Companies Seeking Continuous Growth and Evolution

Reason: If you understand that a website is a living asset that needs to evolve with market trends and business goals, WaaS often includes ongoing optimisation, updates, and strategic guidance. This ensures your site remains fresh, relevant, and effective, supporting long-term growth without requiring you to constantly initiate new projects.   

Those Frustrated with DIY Builders or Past Agency Experiences

Reason: If you've previously struggled with the limitations of DIY platforms or found traditional agency projects to be costly, slow, or lacking ongoing support, WaaS offers a compelling middle ground. It provides professional quality and management without the high upfront cost or the need for you to become a web expert.   

When WaaS Might Not Be the Right Fit

While WaaS offers a lot of value, it isn’t the perfect fit for every situation. In some cases, other models may better suit a business’s structure, goals, or preferences. Here are a few scenarios where WaaS may not be the best choice:

Businesses Needing Total Creative or Technical Control

If your team wants complete ownership over every line of code, server configuration, or minute design detail — or you have an in-house development team with specific workflows — a fully custom, self-managed solution may be a better fit.

Projects with One-Off or Short-Term Needs

WaaS is designed for long-term relationships and continuous improvement. If you only need a simple landing page or a short-term campaign site with no plans for ongoing updates, a one-time build might be more cost-effective.

Highly Specialised or Complex Applications

If your website requires advanced functionality — like custom-built tools, deeply integrated SaaS platforms, or complex backend systems — a standard WaaS setup may not provide the flexibility you need. In some cases, custom development is possible but can add significant cost, reducing the overall efficiency of the model.

Those Who Prefer One-Time Payments Over Subscriptions

For businesses that dislike recurring costs and prefer to pay once and effectively own everything outright (including future hosting and maintenance responsibilities), WaaS may feel restrictive or, in the very long run, more expensive in terms of cumulative payments.

Companies with Strict IT or Hosting Requirements

Some larger organisations or those in highly regulated industries have specific compliance or infrastructure policies that require full control over where and how their site is hosted, including specific security protocols or data residency rules. In these cases, a standard WaaS model may not meet those stringent internal standards.

Making the Right Choice for Your Digital Future

Choosing the right approach for your business's website is a significant decision that impacts your brand, budget, and operational efficiency. Website as a Service presents a compelling alternative to traditional methods, offering a blend of professional quality, predictable costs, and ongoing support that can be invaluable for many modern businesses.

By carefully weighing the advantages against the considerations and evaluating if your business aligns with the ideal WaaS profile (or falls into a category where another solution might be better), you can make an informed decision that truly sets your online presence up for long-term success. Your website should be an asset that grows with you, not a burden that holds you back.