How does the multiple LTDs deal work?
Needed some guidance from Shahjahan Jewel & team or experienced FC developers!
I’d like to know some details on how does the multiple LTDs deal work and the overall FC partners ecosystem. Like what kind of support does FC/WPManageNinja offer to its partners?
[Suggestion: FC team should create a dedicated Space for FC partners/developers.]
So, as a service provider, I also offer website design & development services. And in the process of building my own community with FC Pro, I've learned a lot of things already. If I want to promote FluentCommunity to my clients (as a development service), how does that work?
I mean, things like ownership transfer? I tried to understand it using Gemini, and this was the response (see the image). Not sure if that's accurate!?!
My biggest question is: Why would a client purchase an LTD license from me if I can't transfer the ownership to them?
I tried to find other resources too, so if there's already some documentation on this, I'm sorry — please guide me on that! TIA! <3
Gemini and all LLMs are just like kids; they can only write the right text without errors, but you cannot think the details are always right. You always need to check the sources and make your own decisions. As for the LTD licenses, no, you can't transfer 1/100 or the whole LTD account to others. As an agency, you can only use the slots to offer services; in other words, the clients rent your license. If they want their own license, they have to purchase one, either yearly or LTD—it’s their decision. They can purchase the license directly from the provider; they don’t have to use your affiliate link or go through you. Also, as the text from the screenshot indicates, it means that they can purchase a license from Ninja “through your affiliate link,” not that they can purchase your 100% or 1% license.
Peng Xie I totally understand your point, Peng Xie. And yes, I'm not relying on the information provided by LLMs as the final source. I typically use Gemini/Claude/Google as the starting point to brainstorm things, and then verify the information further. And that's why this post, to get reliable information from the FC team itself (the ultimate source). 😊
Okay, coming back to the topic — I kind of understood they (clients) don't get the ownership of the license, and I understand the concept of affiliated purchases too. What I'm finding difficult to understand is, "Why would anyone purchase a license that they know they won't own!??!" 🤔
For example, if I were a client myself, I would never purchase such a thing where I'm not guaranteed ownership. So, why and how would I expect someone else to purchase it from me? Are there really such clients who purchase such licenses? 😲
The strategy the AI is explaining is that most agencies will offer whats called a care plan or maintenance plan, this means that they host and maintain the website and part of that service includes premium licenses that the agencies holds. The client does not own the license themselves.
The reason many agencies include it as part of the service is because its cheaper for the agency who uses the same tools for many clients and spread the large cost across all the clients, this means the cost per licesne comes significantly down, compared to the cost of the client buying a single license.
If the client were to leave the agency, then all license keys would be revoked.
Taylor Drayson Hmmm! Thanks for the detailed explanation, Taylor! I kind of got it, like the cost gets down significantly and all. But as I replied to another comment:
What I'm finding difficult to understand is, "Why would anyone purchase a license that they know they won't own!??!" 🤔
For example, if I were a client myself, I would never purchase such a thing where I'm not guaranteed ownership. I mean, I'd know that it'll cost me much less, but then there's no guarantee. So, why and how would I expect someone else to purchase it from me? Are there really such clients who purchase such licenses? 😲
The GS As Jonathan mentioned, you are not selling a license, you are selling a service of hosting and maintaining the website which includes the license keys within that service/maintenance cost.
Think of it like a mobile phone plan — when you sign up with a carrier, you're not buying the network or owning any of the infrastructure. You're paying for access to it as part of a monthly service. The moment you stop paying, you lose access. Nobody questions why they'd pay for a phone plan when they don't own the towers, because that's not what they're buying. They're buying the service of being connected. It's exactly the same here — your clients aren't buying a license, they're buying a fully hosted and maintained website. The license is just one of the ingredients bundled into that service.
Taylor Drayson That's a great analogy! 🙌
It makes a lot more sense now. Thank you so much for your detailed responses, Taylor! Much appreciated! <3
This is a topic I'm genuinely interested in as well and I'm curious how others handle their LTD licenses.
My line of thinking is that we can "attach" our LTD license to any client site that requires that license, regardless of whether they need a maintenance package or not.
So if I have a client who only wants me to create a one-off website for them and they don't need any after-support or maintenance afterwards, I can "attach" a LTD license to that site while creating it and the client can continue using it as long as they continue using the site. They don't technically "own" the license, but they have the "right" to use it with the site that I created. If they go to another designer/agency in the future and have a different design built, then they'll lose the license as part of that process if they uninstall/change the plugin.
Xopher Yeah, right! Partly my post is about "how service providers handle their LTD licenses" — but I'm also thinking from the client's perspective. I find it hard to understand why anyone would purchase a license with no guarantee!??! 🤔 If I were a client, I wouldn't buy it. 😛
That's why I also wanted to ask experienced FC developers as to how they sell this, and are they really such buyers in the market? 🤔
The GS your key question is "Why would anyone purchase a license that they know they won't own!??!"
And the answer is - they wouldn't. When you build a site with your license, you are not selling them that license - you cannot - that license is yours forever.
You are selling them the service that you provide, whether that be hosting or just ongoing support - the care package.
You are not a reseller, you are a service provider. If they do not want to subscribe to your service, they should buy a license.
Jonathan Gwyer Ahh! This is kinda fresh perspective to look at it! 😯
Thank you for your response, Jonathan Gwyer! 🤝
I think I need to better understand how WP service providers create and sell their services with such packages. Because in this case, I believe they have to clarify things upfront, regarding the limitations of the agency license and all!?!
Also, they must be doing some sort of contract or have terms & conditions defined for the scope of service and the license slot.
I'd love to connect with WP/FC developers. Let me know if you know any. Thanks again! <3
The GS yes, you do need to make it clear that the service you provide includes licensing benefits that they would have to replace.
In fact, it's a selling point - you can tell potential clients that your care plans include $100s worth of licenses "free".
It can come in useful when a client says "I want to save some money" and cancel your care plan, and then they realise how much their website really costs!
Jonathan Gwyer Awesome! This is the kind of guidance I was looking for. 🙌
Thank you so much for your detailed responses, Jonathan! I appreciate your help, buddy! <3