Can you please introduce yourself to our readers and share a few details about your background?
I’m Konrad Keck, founder of PanelAlpha, a self-hosted control panel designed specifically for WordPress. PanelAlpha focuses on automation, user experience, performance, and robust tooling for agencies. It is a great fit for hosting providers and large agencies that want to have a platform like WP Engine or Kinsta. I’ve been building software for the hosting industry since 2009, starting with ModulesGarden and later expanding into projects like MetricsCube and EasyDCIM. This year, we are also introducing two new platforms, adminbolt (adminbolt.com) and Konrado.ai, that aim to bring fresh innovation to the web hosting industry. I’m also the co-founder of WebHosting.Today, a media platform for web hosting professionals, where I host the podcast. Outside of work, I’m a sports addict, gamer, and proud father of two.What is the process of customer onboarding through PanelAlpha, and why is it important?
In the last few years, WordPress has remained the top choice for websites, but based on numerous reports, it has clearly lost momentum. Big SaaS platforms like Wix or Squarespace are gaining ground fast, mostly because they are simple and attract non-technical users. But there’s a serious downside: these platforms often lock users in, with no easy way to move their websites elsewhere. I see this as a real threat to the open web. WordPress is different. It gives people the freedom to choose their provider, move their site anytime, and still use powerful tools backed by a global community. By default, though, it’s not easy for new users. PanelAlpha is here to change that and help hosting providers spread a simpler WordPress experience. One of the most important steps is making it easier to get started. That’s why we’ve built a true site-builder-like onboarding flow. You can sign up with just an email and, with the help of AI onboarding, get a working site in just a few minutes.What features and benefits does PanelAlpha offer to its clients?
As our mission is to simplify WordPress for end users by making it more accessible, easy to launch, and hassle-free to manage, the core principle is simple: make the first minutes with WordPress smooth and frustration-free for both users and the people who support them. PanelAlpha addresses this by focusing on four key customer types, each supported through practical automation and useful tooling:- New users: A simplified experience for people who don’t even know what “WordPress” is, offering site-builder-like onboarding without the confusion.
- WordPress-savvy users: Fast, clean setups and advanced tools that respect their knowledge while staying out of their way.
- Customers on legacy platforms: A seamless upgrade path from outdated panels, including one-click trial access to the new environment.
- Migrating users: Reliable, built-in migration that makes switching from other providers easy and stress-free.
What pricing plans do you offer, and what are the differences between them?
Our core PanelAlpha pricing is simple – it’s based on the number of sites managed. There are no limits on usage or features. You start at $29/month with 20 sites included, and depending on volume, you pay more for additional sites. This applies to the “Multi-server Edition,” which is mainly for hosters and agencies. You can learn more at www.panelalpha.com/pricing I can already share that later this year, with the launch of the “Single-server Edition,” we’ll introduce even simpler per-server plans, starting with a FREE option for up to 3 sites. More details coming soon!Has running webhosting.today shaped the way you approach building PanelAlpha?
Absolutely! I always approached my products from a software or programmer perspective, which meant I focused too much on the technical side. But by building a community of web hosting providers and staying closer to the industry, I’ve learned a lot more about the business side and the real challenges hosters face. This has pushed our platform to become much more practical and focused on solving real problems. Another big part is traveling to various events related to web hosting or WordPress and meeting all the great people who shape this space. Every conversation matters, and every point of view can influence the future of our solution. I truly value each bit of it! We recently joined WordCamp EU in Basel and saw firsthand the key problems in WordPress, ones we aim to solve with PanelAlpha.To learn more about PanelAlpha, you can visit www.panelalpha.com
