Welcome to Part 9 of our SaaS breakdown series.

So far, we’ve shaped this WordPress cleanup product from every angle:

• Clear problem
• Logical user flow
• Lightweight tech
• Fair pricing
• Right audience
• Smart MVP
• Emotional journey

But now comes the real decision point:

Should this idea become a full-on SaaS business… or something else?

Because not every great idea needs to become a startup.

Some ideas make more sense as:

• A consulting service
• A plugin sold once
• A licensing deal
• Or just a public playbook you give away

Let’s explore each path.

Option 1: Build the SaaS Product

This is the obvious route:

Launch the platform, get recurring revenue, grow steadily.

Upsides:

• Monthly revenue (storage fees)
• Expandable (more storage, features, agencies)
• High margin if serverless and lean
• Long-term asset

Challenges:

• Support needs grow with users
• Product scope could expand too fast
• Marketing never ends
• You’ll need to staff or automate over time

Best if:

You want to build a real business, not just a tool.

Option 2: License the IP or Workflow

You package up:

• The process (scan → compare → clean → store)
• The UI concept
• The technical stack

And offer it to:

• WordPress agencies (to run privately)
• Hosting companies (as an internal tool)
• Plugin developers (to integrate into their product)

Upsides:

• Money up front
• No ongoing support
• Stay lean and focused

Challenges:

• Harder to price
• You lose long-term control
• One-time payout, not recurring

Best if:

You don’t want to build or scale, but still want to monetize the idea.

Option 3: Turn It Into a One-Time Plugin

Repackage the whole logic into a WordPress plugin and sell it like traditional software.

Upsides:

• Easier to launch
• Huge plugin marketplaces
• One-time buyers = faster conversion
• Familiar model for WP users

Challenges:

• Plugins mean support headaches
• Local hosting = storage limits again
• Harder to track usage or upsell

Best if:

You want a faster win, but less ambition for recurring growth.

Option 4: Run It As a Service

You offer this as a manual or semi-automated cleanup service to agencies.

“We scan and clean your client sites. You look like a hero. Starting at €199/site.”

Upsides:

• Agencies understand services
• Can charge more per project
• Doesn’t require a full product

Challenges:

• Time-for-money
• Not scalable unless automated
• You become a boutique agency

Best if:

You like selling services and don’t want to deal with SaaS churn, dev ops, etc.

Option 5: Publish It as a Playbook

You do exactly what this blog series is doing:

• Break down the idea
• Share the process
• Let others run with it

Upsides:

• Audience trust
• Content-driven growth
• Future consulting or product leads

Challenges:

• No direct monetization (unless paired with coaching or community)
• Others may build it faster

Best if:

You want to grow your brand or test interest before committing.

So… What Should You Do?

Here’s a simple framework:

No path is “right.”

Only the one that fits your goals, time, and appetite for risk.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a tech exercise.

It’s a business decision.

You now have:

• A real idea
• A validated problem
• A working solution
• Multiple ways to deliver it

What comes next is up to you.

In Part 10, we’ll wrap this whole series up:

What we learned, what we’d do differently, and how you can use this framework for your next SaaS idea.

Until then — keep thinking clearly, building simply, and staying sharp.