How do you develop a SaaS application from Scratch?

Table of content

A SaaS (Software as a Service) is an application that operates over the cloud. In this service, an application is hosted by a cloud service provider and can be accessed through a web browser. The SaaS provider handles all the applications’ security, infrastructure, and updates. Email, office tools, and calendar apps are some SaaS applications.

If you own a business and are looking forward to building a user-friendly and reputable SaaS platform with advanced web development, knowing the development cycle is of core importance to you. This post aims to understand SaaS and how to develop a SaaS application comprehensively.

What is a SaaS Application?

SaaS applications can be accessed by the internet, thus allowing users to access applications hosted on the cloud. SaaS applications are hosted on the cloud and are distributed to the end users through a service model of a host. It is a user-friendly platform that enhances scalability and security. There is no requirement for installation or regular updates. Instead, users simply need to subscribe to the application and use it whenever they wish.

SaaS is favorable for those small businesses and startups that lack sufficient time, funds, or knowledge to own a physical application. Moreover, it can also benefit large companies that want to carry out short-term projects.

Step-by-Step Guide to Develop SaaS Application

Now, let’s look at specific actions you should take if you want to build a SaaS product for your business.

Step 1: Confirm the Viability of Your Idea

Identifying the viability of SaaS software is vital for business growth. Therefore, before you invest in building a cloud-based product, it’s essential to confirm if there’s a genuine need for the product and a potential market. This prevents wasting resources on something nobody wants. Begin by researching your market, identifying the target audience, and assessing what’s already out there.

Step 2: Ensuring The Idea Is Valid

Before allocating resources, research the business, identify whether the solution is optimal, and find gaps other products do not solve. Researching through surveys on how big the space is and whether the audience is willing to invest is an ideal start. You could interview potential users as well.

Determining the audience in a way that your SaaS software solves the issues they are currently dealing with is invaluable. A simple market survey could suffice, or focusing on the content relevant to the audience could help understand their pain points.

A thorough analysis of both the current competitors is thoughtful, but determining how to create a target market for yourself is invaluable. By merging these three aspects, your product value would be clear, allowing people to see if it would be helpful.

Step 3: Define Your Target Audience

First, introduce what the consumers are requesting, and then construct an outline for the interface and what the product should eventually be able to accomplish. Eventually, an automatic analysis will be conducted by implementing specific functions into the software.

Compile a comprehensive list and prioritize all defining characteristics. Use the MoSCoW model (Must-Have, Should-Have, Could-Have, Won’t-Have) to prioritize the features needed in the initial phase. That is to say, the goal is to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that provides maximum return on investment with no additional resources needed.

Other typical SaaS product components include customer support, data protection, user interface customization, and user logins. This set of features ensures a strong basis for the application’s future growth.

Step 4: Select a Revenue Model

Figure out the correct pricing strategy. This option must align with the core of the model you wish to adopt, ensuring value to users and sustainable income. Some options include:

Per-offer pricing: Charge a fee based on the total number of users for a team-targeted product offering.
Bundled pricing: Combine different product variants to cover a new targeted audience.
Feature-based pricing: Pricing options are based on the features that will be accessible to users, allowing some to upgrade to new plans.
Subscription-based pricing: Focus on increasing the number of products instead of the price.
Freemium model: Sell the basic version of the product for free to attract customers and then sell paid plans with extended features.

Analyze these alternatives depending on your product and target market to make the right decision.

Step 5: Select the Right Technology Stack

The technology stack you select is essential to the viability and reliability of your product. Tools like Node.js and Django have proven useful, reliable technologies regarding core development. On the other hand, React.js or Vue.js can be used for the front-end design to ensure the user experience is pleasing.

Database management software includes PostgreSQL and MySQL, allowing effective communication with the database. Platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud can be utilized to ensure the reliability of UI assembly.

When technology is appropriately applied, there is the assurance that your SaaS product will be able to cope with the increase in scale and offer a seamless experience to its users.

Step 6: Create a Product Roadmap

The users shape the characteristics of the software and its functionalities. This includes detailing what applications would be required in the app, such as logging into accounts, adding payment methods, creating alerts, and even personalizing the application with other features. This is where you integrate with the development team to develop a realistic, scalable concept.

Step 7: Develop a Business Plan

This stage encompasses constructing the UI/UX for the software. The approach for the software design should be engaging, simple, and fast to retain users. Utilize wireframes and prototypes as the design and configuration of the app with her to convert the app into an interactive one.

Step 8: Assemble a Development Team

The development team writes code for both the front-end (user-facing side) and back-end (server-side). Testing runs parallel to development to identify and fix bugs, ensuring a smooth and error-free experience. Regular updates and feedback loops with stakeholders keep the project on track.

Step 9: Build and Launch Your Product

Focus on launching the software on relevant platforms, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Before the official launch, perform thorough beta testing to gather feedback and resolve issues. Post-launch, promote the app through marketing efforts and continuously monitor its performance to make necessary improvements and updates.

Want a SaaS Application? Hire Nodespace Innventive Lab!

Nodespace Innventive Lab offers experienced SaaS developers with the skills to build successful products. Our team receives thorough training and has worked on numerous client projects, ensuring their knowledge about current trends and the complexities of SaaS development. We provide robust services that can revolutionize your business operations. Connect with us today to discover how we can contribute to your success and explore our services, such as custom software development, app development, web development, and digital marketing.