A model for building websites at scale

Many scaling digital agencies and SaaS are hitting a wall when they try to scale.

So we wanted to share some insights into how you can make your processes more efficient.

Selling a website is not just about designing and building the website itself. So much more goes into it: work that can be completed by the agency quite easily when they only have a few sites to build a month. But once the team grows, the client base expands and the tech stack becomes comlex, these extra tasks make operations too slow.

These businesses need to find a way to streamline, for example by outsourcing or automating. They need to find solutions for things like cybersecurity and tech upkeep and customer requests, so that the business doesn't drown under the load of tasks that are not about building the websites. 

This blog post will explore key strategies and best practices that scaling companies can adopt to become even better at selling websites at scale.

A model for building websites at scale

Streamline your tech stack

One of the foundational elements of building websites at scale is having a streamlined and efficient tech stack. A bloated or overly complex tech stack can lead to bottlenecks, increased maintenance costs, and difficulty in onboarding new team members. Try to find one or two core platforms that are scalable, and easy to maintain.

Try to find a platform that offers integrated hosting, SEO tools, and drag-and-drop builders. Having all of these different functionalities within one platform makes it easier to manage, saves time and reduces overhead. 

Automate

Implement automation tools that can handle repetitive tasks like updates and backups. This reduces manual labor and allows your team to focus on higher-value tasks such as customization and client communication.

With a native B2B white label website platform (such as Mono's), many manual tasks will automatically be eradicated by nature of how such a platform works. The idea of a white label platform is that all maintenance and upkeep of the platform is the responsibility of the company owning the platform.

If you buy the rights to build websites on this platform and brand the whole platform as your own - you can do so without having to actually getting any of the annoying tasks usually associated with managing tech stack.

Avoid too many add-ons and plugins

While plugins can add functionality, they can also introduce vulnerabilities and require constant updates. Instead, prioritize core functionalities within your chosen platform.

If you for example build websites on WordPress, opt to build simple websites with only the most essential plugins. Pick a base of proven, well-functioning plugins that work really well, instead of trying to offer too many options. Simple is scalable. 

At Mono, we don't have an app or plugin store. Instead, we integrate with industry-leading third-party providers, such as Ecwid for Ecommerce and Tucows for email and domains. This means our partners never have to worry about updating, managing or vetting these integrations, saving them time and ultimately money. Curious how it works? Reach out today.

Cybersecurity, tech upkeep and other invisible time sinks when selling websites at scale

As your business scales, so does the potential risk of cyber threats. Protecting client websites from breaches is critical, not only to maintain trust but also to avoid costly downtime and data loss.

If you are self-hosting, you need to do your own regular security audits and implement best practices such as two-factor authentication, and secure coding standards. 

If you're currently self-hosting, consider using centralized security management tools that allow you to monitor and manage security across all client websites from a single dashboard. This simplifies oversight and ensures consistent security practices are applied across the board. Scaling businesses should also invest in cybersecurity training for their teams. This ensures that everyone is aware of the latest threats and knows how to handle them effectively.

The most efficient solution would be to outsource security, so you can focus on your core business, for example by moving to a white label website platform.

Developing a scalable workflow

A scalable workflow is an important element of a scaling website business. Without it, it is very hard to be competitive, because this business model requires building a lot of sites in a short amount of time.

Template-based website production
One of the most effective ways to streamline workflows is by using templates. Templates allow teams to replicate successful website designs quickly while ensuring consistency in quality and functionality. Customization can then be layered on top of these templates to meet specific client needs.

Clear documentation
Create clear documentation for every step of the development process. This includes guidelines for coding standards, design protocols, and client communication. Clear documentation ensures that all team members can easily follow established practices, even as the team grows. 

Optimising client communication
One time sink that many of our partners can agree on is getting the right information from a client, without too much back and forth. Creating a strong process for client communication, making it as easy for them as possible to understand what is needed from them, can save you time and money. 

Optimising your sales process
One of the most expensive parts of the website process is arguably the sales cycle. For website resellers, the sales cycle can be long and expensive. In our experience, having an efficient and well-thought out sales process can make a huge difference when you scale. One of our partners with the most efficient sales cycle uses Quick Creator to quickly create tailored proposal sites. Other partners have prepared pre-made websites for each of their main verticals that they can show to prospects without needing extra work.

Partnering with fulfillment partners

As your business grows, partnering with fulfillment partners can help manage the increased workload and ensure timely delivery of high-quality websites.

Partnering with fulfillment agencies allows you to scale operations without the overhead of hiring and training new employees. Choose partners who understand your brand’s vision and can deliver work that aligns with your standards. Mono has a network of fulfilment partners that we offer to introduce our platform users to. If this could be of interest to you, click here to get in touch.

Building a scalable business model

Finally, scaling businesses need a robust and adaptable business model. This model should accommodate growth without sacrificing quality or increasing operational complexity.

Subscription-based services: Consider offering subscription-based services that provide clients with ongoing website maintenance, updates, and support. This not only creates a recurring revenue stream but also builds long-term relationships with clients.

Modular service offerings: Build a modular service offering that allows clients to add or remove services as needed. This flexibility can help attract a broader range of clients, from small businesses to larger enterprises.

Data-driven decisions: Use data analytics to continuously refine your business model. Track key metrics such as customer acquisition costs, churn rates, and client satisfaction to identify areas for improvement and growth.

Wrapping up

Scaling the business of selling websites is no small feat, but by adopting these best practices, companies can position themselves for success. By streamlining the tech stack, enhancing cybersecurity, developing a scalable workflow, partnering strategically, and building a robust business model, companies can not only meet the demands of scaling but exceed them, delivering exceptional value to their clients and sustaining growth in the long term. 

For more information on how Mono can help you scale your website development business, get in touch today.