In 2023, SaaS development has exploded. AI tools, no-code platforms, and affordable development resources have made building a software-as-a-service product easier than ever. But here’s the twist: just because you can build doesn’t mean you’ll succeed.
Having built SaaS since 2009, I’ve realized that the game isn’t about perfection. It’s about prioritizing users and marketing! The two things that often get overshadowed by the urge to tinker endlessly with features.
Let me unpack what this means, why it’s crucial, and how you can apply it to your SaaS journey (with some personal mishaps along the way).
Why Should You Focus on Marketing Before Perfecting Your Product?
When I started my first SaaS, I thought, "If I build something amazing, people will just find it." Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
Here’s the reality:
- Building is the easy part. No-code tools, templates, and even AI-assisted coding have commoditized development.
- Getting noticed is hard. You're not just competing with direct competitors; you’re battling for attention in a noisy, hyper-saturated market.
Marketing gets your foot in the door. It introduces your SaaS to the right people at the right time.
My Personal Takeaway
I once delayed a product launch by six months, obsessing over minor UI tweaks. Guess what? When I finally launched, customers didn’t care about my "perfect design." They cared whether my product solved their problem. Lesson learned: ship, then refine.
How Do You Engage With Users to Build a Product That Matters?
You can’t build a great SaaS in isolation. You need to talk to users, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Interview potential users. Don’t pitch. Listen.
- Test with a prototype. It doesn’t need to be fancy. A bare-bones version or even a Figma mockup can give you valuable feedback.
- Act on feedback. If users aren’t excited, you’re either talking to the wrong audience or solving the wrong problem.
Relatable Mishap
Once, I showed a prototype to potential users, expecting rave reviews. Instead, I got blank stares and a polite, “It’s cool, but…” Ouch. But that feedback helped me pivot before wasting more time. The second iteration? Users were excited and couldn’t wait to use it.
How Do You Validate Your SaaS Idea Without Wasting Time?
Validating an idea doesn’t mean building a full-blown product. It’s about answering one question: Does this solve a real problem for real people?
Steps to Validate an Idea
- Start with research. Join forums, read comments, or ask in communities like Reddit or LinkedIn.
- Build less than an MVP. Focus on the core functionality. Can users see the value immediately?
- Get honest feedback. If users aren’t excited, you’re either solving a non-urgent problem or targeting the wrong audience.
Quick Example
For my latest SaaS, I built a prototype in one week. I used Golang, Kafka, and Python for backend scalability and didn’t stress about UI. When I showed it to users, their excitement validated my idea—and gave me the confidence to invest in building it "right."
What’s the Hardest Part About Running a SaaS?
Two words: customer acquisition. You could have the most innovative product, but if no one knows about it, it might as well not exist.
Here’s why it’s tough:
- There are too many tools vying for the same user’s attention
- Trust is hard to earn, especially with new SaaS products
- Marketing isn’t just ads; it’s about building relationships
My Approach to Customer Acquisition
- SEO and content marketing: Writing useful guides to attract organic traffic.
- Partnering with influencers or niche communities: They already have the trust of your target audience.
- Cold outreach with a human touch: Personalization goes a long way.
Can SaaS Security Be “Set and Forget”?
One commenter on a forum brought up a great point: SaaS security is often overlooked. But it’s critical to build trust with users.
Tools that automate security scans and provide dashboards are a lifesaver. For example, a "set-and-forget" SaaS security tool can send you weekly updates on vulnerabilities, saving time and protecting your product.
How Do You Handle Failure and Find Your Next SaaS Idea?
Failure sucks, but it’s also a goldmine for learning.
When My SaaS Failed
I once built a product that solved a niche problem but struggled to scale. Funding dried up, and I had to shut it down. It hurt, but I realized my mistake: I didn’t validate whether the problem was big enough for a sustainable business.
Finding Your Next Idea
- Look for organic problems in your daily life or work.
- Pay attention to what people complain about in forums or communities.
- Ask yourself: “Do I have unique insight into solving this problem?”
Final Thoughts: Why Execution Trumps Perfection
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Done is better than perfect. A SaaS that’s out there, gaining feedback and users, will always beat the one stuck in development purgatory.
So here’s my advice:
- Start small. Launch something imperfect.
- Talk to users. Listen more than you speak.
- Focus on marketing. Build relationships, not just features.
Your SaaS doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to solve a problem and reach the right people. Now, go build something amazing—and don’t forget to tell the world about it.