When it really comes down to it, there is no right or wrong way to build something. Many factors can play into the success or failure of an application. That's why it's good to have as much help and advice as possible. I want to share a few lessons I've learned along my path of building a SaaS. I hope this advice will help guide and motivate you on your journey.
Here are 🖐 things you should know while building out your SaaS application.
1. Your First App Will Probably Fail 💣
Here's the honest truth, your first attempt at creating a SAAS will not make you riches (in most cases).
Think about the first time you learned to ride a bike. You didn't hop on your bike and immediately start riding. In fact, you probably had to use training wheels, and after mastering your training wheels, you could take them off and start riding. Eventually, you may even be popping some gnarly wheelies. 🤙
The first few apps you create will be your training wheels as you learn new things and overcome challenges. Every failed app is a stepping stone to the successful one you create down the road.
It's totally possible to strike gold with your first app, but not in most cases. To get to the top of the mountain, you must climb a few hills first. This is why it's important to keep creating, keep building, and keep learning.
Push hard to make your SAAS successful, but be mindful of the stepping stones it takes to achieve that success and make sure to enjoy the journey.
2. Your App is Never Complete 🏁
While creating a SAAS application, you will constantly add, update, and even delete some features. And the truth is that your app is never "fully" complete.
You should be prepared to run a marathon instead of a sprint because a good SAAS application is never truly complete. It should be continually growing.
Your SAAS is like a pet. If you don't nurture and feed it. It will die.
3. Your App Needs a Blog ✍️
You need to get better at writing. This way you can blog about stuff related to your product. This is important for getting SEO traffic and free visitors to your website.
You could always spend money on marketing and hope that you make more than you spend. But... In most cases, writing good quality content on your blog will yield a better long-term investment.
Get in touch with your inner author and write about sh*t you would find interesting as the reader on the other end. Make it fun and add some personality.
4. Build Your Funnel 🏗
I used to work for a company where the homepage search functionality would guide the user through a set of loaders and progress bars, which enticed the user and got them invested. It's funny that all the loading bars were unnecessary, but because the funnel had been optimized for maximum conversion, these unnecessary loaders actually increased sales.
You will need to work on some kind of funnel to entice your users to become customers. This also includes small things like welcome emails, push notifications, and yep... even loader bars.
Your funnel does not have to be elaborate, but you should have some kind of funnel in place.
Visitors will bounce around a few pages, click some buttons, and eventually leave. If you held their hand and guiding them through the pages you want them to see, they are much more likely to become a paying customer.
So, continue optimizing and building your funnel.
5. Love The Process ❤️
Don't ever forget the excitement you felt when you were creating something new. Remember when you started brainstorming ideas and began turning those ideas into reality? That excitement you felt can help you remember why you are doing what you are doing.
You have probably met fellow developers who start "working on side projects" but never have anything to show for it. That's because it's more fun to start something than it is to finish it. But if you rediscover the passion you had when you first started, you can push through those times when motivation is low.
Creating your SAAS application is all about the journey, including excitement, passion, and challenges. So when you find yourself at the bottom of a mountain, just remember to take it one step at a time, and you will learn to love the process.
And... As you probably already know that when you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.
Conclusion
I hope that these tips will help you on your journey of building your own SaaS application.
If you want to get a head start on building your Software as a Service, be sure to check out our SaaS Starter Kit, Wave. You can get a jumpstart on many features, including authentication, billing, invoices, and so much more. 😉
Remember, if you continue to build, learn, and push forward, you will inevitably end up with a successful application. Cheers! 🍻