Ad Manager: Sell Ads Services Without Platform Fees and Keep 100% Profit

Table of Contents

• What just changed and why it matters
• Key benefits at a glance
• How the new setup works — the simple flow
• What sub-accounts see and experience
• Pricing strategies and practical examples
• Practical tips for smooth management
• Step-by-step setup checklist
• What to expect for existing paid sub-accounts
• Common concerns and solutions
• Tips for communicating the change to clients
• When to choose free vs paid resale
• Implementation examples
• Final notes and best practices
• Frequently asked questions
• Closing thoughts

What just changed and why it matters

We now have a simpler, cleaner way to offer ad management inside our platform. The ad manager feature is available to agency-level accounts at no platform cost. That eliminates a recurring platform fee for agency owners and removes a common barrier that slowed adoption.

This change keeps monetization power in our hands. We can choose to resell the ad manager to sub-accounts at any price, or offer it to our locations and clients for free. That flexibility lets us tailor pricing to our business model while removing platform-level friction.

Key benefits at a glance

• No agency-level subscription fee — agency accounts are no longer billed by the platform for the ad manager.
• Full control over resale pricing — set a monthly price for sub-accounts or make it free for them.
• Smoother onboarding — sub-accounts see a clear call to action based on whether you charge for the tool.
• Continuity for existing customers — any sub-account already paying you for the ad manager keeps their current subscription until you change it.
• Feedback loop — a simple sentiment capture allows agencies to tell the platform if they plan to resell, which helps guide future product decisions.

How the new setup works — the simple flow

The setup lives inside the agency controls. Here is the straightforward flow we follow to enable or resell the ad manager:

1. Open the agency area in the platform and go to the SaaS configurator.
2. Click Edit Details on the plan you want to update.
3. Open the Add-ons tab and make sure the ad manager tile is checked. Save changes.
4. Navigate to the Agency Reselling section and find the ad manager card.
5. Choose whether to resell. If we plan to charge, set the price. If not, mark it as not reselling and the price becomes zero for sub-accounts.

What sub-accounts see and experience

Sub-accounts access the ad manager through the Marketing menu. The onboarding experience adapts to the resale price we set:

• If we set a price higher than zero, sub-accounts see a payment call to action like Activate Ad Manager for $X per month. They pay and the feature becomes available.
• If we set the price to zero, the call to action becomes Get Started and the sub-account gets instant onboarding without any paywall.
• Sub-accounts that were already subscribed under our resold plan keep their current subscription and billing until we change their status.

Pricing strategies and practical examples

We can use the ad manager to support multiple business strategies. Here are practical scenarios that show how different agencies might use the flexibility.

1. Value-add to win more locations

If our primary goal is growth, offering ad manager access for free to sub-accounts reduces friction when onboarding new locations. Free access can be a decisive factor for franchisees, multi-location businesses, or resellers who compare platforms.

2. Recurring revenue without extra platform cost

We can charge a modest monthly fee to sub-accounts for managed ad services. Because there is no platform fee at the agency level, the entire resale amount becomes our revenue. This keeps margins clean and predictable.

3. Premium upsell with support included

Charge a higher resale price that bundles the ad manager with campaign management, reporting, or creative services. This creates a clear premium offering for customers who want a hands-off experience.

4. Test and iterate

Because we can toggle resale pricing quickly, we can test different price points on small groups of sub-accounts. Use short tests to find the price that balances adoption and revenue.

Practical tips for smooth management

• Decide on a clear policy — choose whether the ad manager is a standard included feature or a paid add-on for clients. Consistency avoids confusion across locations.
• Communicate changes proactively — if some sub-accounts already pay for the ad manager, let them know the reasons you might change pricing and any timetable for updates.
• Use tiered offerings — consider including basic access for free while charging for managed services or premium reporting.
• Monitor adoption and feedback — the platform captures a simple sentiment for reselling; use that insight along with adoption metrics to shape pricing decisions.
• Train your team — ensure account managers know how to activate the ad manager for sub-accounts and can explain the billing differences to clients.

Step-by-step setup checklist

Follow this checklist when enabling the ad manager and deciding on resale:

• Open the agency area and confirm admin access.
• Go to SaaS configurator and choose the plan to edit.
• Enable the ad manager addon in the Add-ons tab and save.
• Open Agency Reselling and find the ad manager card.
• Set a resale price or mark as not reselling to make it free for sub-accounts.
• Record your sentiment to help the platform understand your plans.
• Notify your sub-accounts of any changes you make if they currently subscribe.

What to expect for existing paid sub-accounts

Existing sub-accounts that currently pay us for ad manager access will not be disrupted. Their subscriptions remain active and the billing details they see in their account do not change automatically. We retain control to transition them when it makes sense for our business and for our clients.

Common concerns and solutions

Below are typical worries and clear responses we can use internally or with clients.

• Concern: Will we lose revenue? If we relied on platform-fee margins, the opportunity is now to capture full resale revenue. We control the resale price, so margins can improve.
• Concern: Will clients be billed twice? Clients see only the charges associated with our resale price. Agency-level platform charges for the ad manager no longer exist, so double-billing is eliminated.
• Concern: How will adoption change? Free access removes a paywall for sub-accounts, which typically increases adoption. If we charge, a clear value proposition and bundled services help maintain conversions.

"Switching our reseller model to a price-inclusive approach immediately reduced onboarding friction and let us focus on selling services, not explaining fees."

"Making the ad manager free at the agency level gave us room to craft a simple, profitable upsell. Our clients appreciate the clarity."

Tips for communicating the change to clients

Clear communication prevents confusion and highlights the benefits for clients. Here are practical messages we can use:

• Explain that the platform removed agency-level fees, so our offering is now simpler and more transparent.
• Share whether the ad manager will be included at no extra monthly cost or if it is part of a paid package.
• Outline what the service includes — access only, or managed campaigns and reporting as well.
• Assure existing subscribers that their current billing and access remain unchanged unless we decide to change their plan with notice.

When to choose free vs paid resale

Make the decision based on business goals and client expectations.

• Choose free when prioritizing acquisition, multi-location growth, or when ad services are a competitive differentiator.
• Choose paid when the ad manager is bundled with ongoing management or when you want a predictable recurring revenue stream tied to services.
• Use hybrid approaches such as a free basic tier and a paid managed tier to maximize both adoption and revenue.

Implementation examples

Here are a couple of short case studies that show how agencies might apply the change.

Example 1 — Boutique agency focused on growth

We make the ad manager free for all sub-accounts to reduce friction for new signups. Our monetization comes from campaign setup, creative packages, and monthly ad spend management. Free access shortened the sales cycle and boosted trial-to-paid conversions for our managed services.

Example 2 — Scalable reseller network

We set a low monthly resale price for sub-accounts and offer training and reporting as part of the paid package. This approach created a predictable revenue stream while keeping the barrier to entry low for independent resellers.

Final notes and best practices

• Keep pricing transparent and easy to explain. Clear pricing builds trust and reduces support tickets.
• Monitor metrics after any change. Adoption rates, churn, and customer feedback will tell us whether to iterate.
• Use the sentiment feedback option honestly. The platform will use agency responses to refine adoption strategy and product roadmap.
• Train internal teams to understand the difference between agency-level fees and resale charges so customer conversations stay consistent.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ad manager really free for agency accounts now?

Yes. The platform no longer charges agency-level fees for the ad manager. Agencies will see that the agency subscription charge for this feature is set to zero.

Can we still charge our sub-accounts for the ad manager?

Yes. Agencies retain full control to resell the ad manager. You set a resale price in the Agency Reselling section and that price is what your sub-accounts see when they activate the feature.

What happens to sub-accounts that are already paying us for ad manager access?

Existing sub-accounts keep their current subscription and billing details. Their subscription remains active and unchanged unless we decide to modify it.

How does the onboarding call to action change for sub-accounts?

If the resale price is greater than zero, sub-accounts see an Activate call to action with the price. If the resale price is zero, they see a Get Started button and can be onboarded without payment.

Where do we set the resale price?

Set the resale price in the Agency Reselling section after enabling the ad manager in the SaaS configurator. Save your plan changes and then record your resale decision and price in the reselling card.

Will the platform continue to bill agencies for sub-accounts that pay for the ad manager?

No. The platform removed agency-level fees for the ad manager. Any billing to sub-accounts happens through the agency's resale setup and is handled according to your plan configuration.

How can we test different prices without upsetting clients?

Run small, time-limited tests with new sub-accounts or offer promotional pricing for a set period. Communicate clearly that pricing is part of a test and provide value through bundled services to justify changes.

Closing thoughts

This change simplifies admin, reduces hidden costs, and gives us direct control over how we monetize ad services. It creates a cleaner onboarding experience for sub-accounts and frees agencies to focus on delivering results rather than explaining platform fees.

We should use the flexibility to align pricing with the value we deliver. Whether we choose to offer ad manager access for free to grow quickly or resell it for recurring revenue, the platform now supports both strategies without extra agency-level charges.