Why Paid AI Portals Are Becoming the New “Agency Product”

If you’re an agency owner, coach, or creator, you’ve probably asked yourself one of these questions recently:

• “How do I sell access to my AI tools?”
  
  
• “How do I let clients log in, use my tools, and track usage?”
  
  
• “How do I turn my frameworks into a subscription product?”
  
  

That’s exactly what Login Mode inside FormWise is built for.

With Login Mode + Stripe, you can create a fully gated AI portal, complete with:

• user accounts
  
  
• free + paid plans
  
  
• usage limits
  
  
• tool gating
  
  
• billing automation
  
  
• upgrade/downgrade flows
  
  
• client dashboards
  
  
• persistent logins
  
  

Think of it as your own micro-SaaS, built on top of your expertise, no developers required.

This walkthrough shows you exactly how to set everything up — plus answers all the FAQs we see from agencies, GHL users, and creators launching AI portals.

Let’s build.

Step 1 — Create Your Toolset

Before enabling Login Mode, you need a toolset.

A Toolset is your:

• branded AI dashboard
  
  
• bundle of SmartForms + CoPilots
  
  
• custom navigation + welcome message
  
  
• client-facing experience
  
  

Most agencies create toolsets around their niche:

• Real estate agent portal
  
  
• Medspa promo + content suite
  
  
• Dental marketing toolset
  
  
• Local business marketing bundle
  
  
• Coach accountability + content hub
  
  

Once your tools are added and branded, you're ready to enable Login Mode.

Step 2 — Connect Stripe (Yes, Even If You Don’t Want to Charge Yet)

Here’s the part most people misunderstand:

Stripe must be connected to use Login Mode.
Even if you’re not charging anyone yet.

Why?
Stripe powers the user management, subscription layer, and plan logic that Login Mode relies on.

But the good news:

You can 100% run a toolset with $0 plans and never charge a dime.

This means:

• you get user accounts
  
  
• you get usage limits
  
  
• you get access controls
  
  
• you get history tracking
  
  
• you get full Login Mode functionality
  
  
• you decide when (or if) you want to start billing
  
  

If you already have a Stripe account, just connect it through Stripe Connect — no new account required.

Step 3 — Create Your First Plan (Free or Paid)

Inside your Toolset settings, you’ll create at least one plan.

You have two options:

Option A: Create a Paid Plan ($9–$299/month)

Use this if you want users to:

• pay immediately
  
  
• access the toolset after checkout
  
  
• automatically renew
  
  
• upgrade/downgrade
  
  
• self-manage billing
  
  

This is the easiest path to MRR.

Option B: Create a $0 Plan (The Secret Power Move)

A $0 plan gives you:

• user accounts
  
  
• login access
  
  
• usage credits
  
  
• access control
  
  
• history logs
  
  
• upgrade triggers
  
  

Without charging them yet.

Why this is smart:

✔ Perfect for GHL agencies

Your subaccount users need a plan to log in — a $0 plan creates seamless onboarding.

✔ Great for coaches offering free tools or gated course resources

They still get user tracking.

✔ Ideal for “free tier → paid tier” upsells

You control usage and upgrade paths.

✔ Lets you charge outside Stripe if you want

Invoice via PayPal, GHL, manual invoicing — then assign your user to a $0 or hidden plan.

You get all the structure of SaaS without the billing pressure.

Step 4 — Enable Login Mode

Once your plans are created:

• toggle Login Mode ON
  
  
• assign tools to specific plans
  
  
• set usage limits
  
  
• turn on history
  
  
• configure upgrade paths
  
  

Your toolset is now a gated product.

Clients will be required to:

• choose a plan
  
  
• create an account
  
  
• log in before accessing tools
  
  

Congratulations — you now have a paid AI portal.

Step 5 — Embed or Share Your Portal

You have two distribution options:

Option A: Embed the Toolset (Best for White-Labeling)

You can embed your toolset into:

• GHL portals
  
  
• Kajabi
  
  
• Circle
  
  
• Skool
  
  
• WordPress
  
  
• Webflow
  
  
• Custom portals/dashboards
  
  

Embedding gives your clients a seamless “This is YOUR software” experience.

And yes — users stay logged in, even across pages.

How Persistent Login Works

• Session cookies maintain login
  
  
• Users don’t need to re-authenticate
  
  
• Works in ANY Frame
  
  
• Only resets if cookies are cleared or device changes
  
  

This is huge for client adoption.

Option B: Share a Direct Link

Your toolset has a unique URL:

app.formwise.ai/toolset/[your-toolset-name]

You can share this link.
But here’s the truth:

❌ This is not fully white-labeled

Users will see FormWise branding in the URL and login.

Perfectly fine for internal uses, beta tests, or free tools — but not ideal for a paid SaaS feel.

Want Full White-Label? → Go Enterprise

If you want your toolset to live on:

• your domain
  
  
• your brand
  
  
• your login pages
  
  
• your colors
  
  
• your entire product identity
  
  

FormWise Enterprise gives you:

• custom domain
  
  
• branded login + signup
  
  
• no FormWise branding
  
  
• deeper customization
  
  
• a truly white-labeled AI SaaS experience
  
  

If you're selling AI tools as a core revenue stream, this is the move.

Want to explore Enterprise?
Message us or join office hours: https://www.formwise.ai/office-hours

Step 6 — Launch Your Paid Portal

Now you’re ready to go live.

Agencies use these strategies:

✔ For GHL Agencies

• embed toolset in GHL portal
  
  
• set up $0 plan
  
  
• upgrade to paid tiers based on usage
  
  
• eventually sell “AI Portal Access” as part of recurring packages
  
  

✔ For Coaches & Creators

• bundle toolset inside their course
  
  
• gate tools behind a membership
  
  
• add a paid upgrade layer with premium tools
  
  
• build niche CoPilots for students
  
  

✔ For Consultants & Service Providers

• offer AI tools as a retainer perk
  
  
• upsell additional tools
  
  
• give clients dashboards for content, planning, strategy, audits
  
  

The playbook is versatile.

FAQ Section (Based on Your Notes)

FAQ 1 — Can I use Login Mode without charging users?

Yes.

You must connect Stripe, but you can create a $0 plan so users join without paying.

This still gives you:

• user accounts
  
  
• usage limits
  
  
• history
  
  
• gating
  
  
• upgrade flows
  
  

Ideal for free tiers and internal tools.

FAQ 2 — Do I have to embed the toolset?

No.
You can share a direct link.

But:

• It’s not fully white-labeled
  
  
• Users will see FormWise branding
  
  
• It’s better for free tools or simple access
  
  

For a branded experience, embedding or Enterprise is best.

FAQ 3 — Will my users stay logged in if I embed the toolset?

Yes.
Sessions persist across all embedded instances as long as browser cookies remain active.

FAQ 4 — Do I have to use Stripe for Login Mode?

Yes.
Stripe is required to enable Login Mode.

But you can still charge outside Stripe by using a $0 plan.

FAQ 5 — I’m a GHL agency. Do my users have to select a plan?

Yes.
But you can create a $0 plan for seamless onboarding.

FAQ 6 — Do tools inside Login Mode have memory?

They have history but not full memory (yet).

Full memory is coming soon.

FAQ 7 — Can I use Login Mode on just one tool?

Not currently.
Login Mode works at the Toolset level.

Call to Action: Build Your Paid AI Portal Today

You now have everything you need to launch:

• a paid subscription AI product
  
  
• a client-facing AI dashboard
  
  
• a white-labeled AI portal
  
  
• or a fully custom AI micro-SaaS
  
  

All built on your expertise — with FormWise doing the heavy lifting.

Start building inside your dashboard:
👉 https://app.formwise.ai/

Join the community for inspiration + help:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/181507861300697/

Need hands-on guidance?
Join office hours:
👉 https://www.formwise.ai/office-hours

Your AI portal is one Login Mode toggle away.
Ship it.

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