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Why Administrator Toolkit is switching to per-site pricing

ByDave Grey

When I first launched Administrator Toolkit, I followed the traditional WordPress plugin playbook: offer a lifetime license, get paid once, and hope for the best. Like many plugin developers, I quickly learned why this model doesn’t work for sustainable business growth or consistent product development.

Today, I’m announcing the transition to a per-site pricing model that’s specifically designed for WordPress agencies and freelancers who manage multiple client sites.

Here’s why I made this change and how it benefits both my business and yours.

The evolution of my pricing strategy

Lifetime licenses (the learning phase)

My initial lifetime pricing seemed customer-friendly on the surface. Pay once, use forever. However this model created several problems:

  • Unsustainable development costs – one-time payments couldn’t fund ongoing feature development
  • Growth limitations – no predictable revenue made it impossible to invest in the plugin’s future

Annual subscriptions (getting closer)

I moved to annual subscriptions to create predictable revenue for continued development. This was better, but still had challenges:

  • Agencies felt penalised for growth – adding client sites meant higher costs without proportional value
  • Complex pricing tiers – multiple plans confused rather than clarified
  • One-size-fits-all approach – didn’t reflect how agencies actually use the plugin

Per-site pricing (the right fit)

After conversations with freelancers and agencies (thanks Ryan!), it was suggested that the best model aligns pricing with how people actually use Administrator Toolkit: per client site.

Why per-site pricing makes sense for agencies

It scales with your business

As a WordPress agency or freelancer, your revenue grows site by site, client by client. The new pricing model grows with you:

  • Start small – manage 5 sites for just $50 per year
  • Scale naturally – add sites as you acquire clients
  • Predictable costs – know exactly what each client site costs to manage

It fits your maintenance model

Administrator Toolkit helps prevent a range of pain points that can affect client relationships:

  • Unauthorised admin access and suspicious login attempts
  • Malicious plugin installations caught before they cause long term damage
  • Admin login activity monitoring that prevents costly security breaches
  • Rogue admin users created for “SEO agencies” that ruin the site

The new pricing structure

Small teams and freelancers: annual plans (1-9 sites)

$10 per site annually (equivalent to $0.83 per month per site).

Perfect for solo freelancers and small agencies who want predictable annual budgeting and manage a focused client portfolio.

Growing agencies: monthly plans (10+ sites)

$1 per site monthly with volume discounts:

  • 50-99 sites: $0.88 per site (12.5% off)
  • 100-249 sites: $0.75 per site (25% off)
  • 250+ sites: $0.63 per site (37.5% off)

This structure recognises that larger agencies need monthly cash flow flexibility and economies of scale.

Re-launch special: lock in $1 per site forever

To celebrate this transition, I’m offering a 90-day (ish) re-launch special through December 31st, 2025:

  • $1 per site for all plans
  • Grandfathered pricing forever for early adopters
  • Future-proof your growth by reserving sites at launch pricing

After January 1st, 2026, new customers will pay standard rates, but early adopters keep their $1 per site pricing permanently (even when adding new sites to your monthly plan).

How this benefits your agency business

Sustainable economics

A $75-150 monthly maintenance plan can easily absorb a $1 per site tool cost while providing significant value through reduced support requests and prevented security issues.

Competitive advantage

Professional admin login monitoring and oversight will help you:

  • Justify higher maintenance fees through enhanced protection
  • Reduce support requests through proactive monitoring and issue prevention
  • Identify upselling opportunities through plugin recommendations and security assessments
  • Build stronger client relationships with transparent security communications

Risk management

The plugin pays for itself by preventing problems that are expensive to fix and damaging to client relationships. One prevented security breach or malicious admin action can save hundreds of dollars in emergency work and potentially save a client relationship.

What existing customers need to know

I’m committed to making this transition smooth:

  • Current annual subscribers can switch to per-site pricing at renewal
  • Grandfathered customers keep their existing rates

The future of WordPress agency tools

Per-site pricing represents a shift toward tools that align with how agencies actually work and price their services. As the WordPress maintenance market becomes more competitive, agencies need tools that:

  • Scale with their business growth
  • Provide clear ROI per client site
  • Support professional service delivery

Administrator Toolkit’s new pricing model reflects these realities while providing the advanced features agencies need to differentiate themselves.

Ready to protect your agency’s growth?

The WordPress maintenance market is becoming more sophisticated, and clients expect more value for their money. Agencies that invest in the right tools and transparent client relationships will thrive.

The re-launch special runs through December 31st, 2025. Lock in $1 per site pricing forever and position your agency for sustainable, profitable growth.

View pricing plans

Related articles: Agency Partner Program

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