Introduction

Software as a service (SaaS) is a comparatively new approach that replaces the traditional software license purchase. Perhaps you have already read tons of articles on how to create a SaaS product and many other things related to this. But you couldn’t implement the theoretical knowledge into a practical model. Worry not today CodeStore team will be sharing a well-researched blog on “how to create a SaaS application?”

Before getting deep into the blog let’s have a thorough look at what SaaS is.

What is SaaS?

SaaS (Software as a Service) is a ready-made solution given to the customer via a mobile app or web browser. Users need not deal with installation and configuration since the solution provider is responsible for the same. Also, SaaS products are available worldwide via the internet. Saas and the traditional software model differ not only technically but also philosophically. The primary difference is that the customers can directly use a SaaS solution without worrying about the software configuration. Another difference between the two is, once a SaaS application is launched, developers don’t stop working on it. They are supposed to update and optimize SaaS product development services continuously. Few of the SaaS applications, including Salesforce, Amazon Web Services, Concur, are frequently optimized by developers for meeting the needs of the audience.

Why to Create SaaS?

SaaS is a method of using a system by subscription, licensing without the need to develop and maintain it from scratch. SaaS product development could be a separate business model in which the founders create a solution specifically for others. The other business model is of an additional revenue source in which a company initially generates a system for the business requirements and then issues similar functionality to other organizations.

SaaS development companies have a lot for them in the future owing to the benefits a SaaS product –

• Users get a ready-to-use solution without having to think about algorithms and settings.
• Customers don’t have to spend thousands of bucks on buying an expensive solution. Rather, they could just pay for SaaS product development services they receive via different subscription packages offered by the solution providers.
• The facility of cloud storage allows organizations to transfer data safely.
• Bug fixing and updating are synchronous. It is mainly convenient for large organizations where installing and updating solutions is an expensive affair.
• Customers don’t have access to the source code, which implies that nobody can steal and distribute the SaaS product development strategy illegally.

How to Create a SaaS Application?

SaaS product development strategy should be well designed, as the same could prove to be a deciding factor in your company’s progress. So, today we have jotted a couple of points one should consider before stepping into this journey.

The complete process involves:-

• Thinking the Model First
• Market Research
• Target Audience
• Features and Functionality
• Technology Stack
• Monetization Strategy
• Launching a Prototype

Think of the Model First

The model for the SaaS product development process should be designed to offer constant services to customers. Users are willing to sign up for the incremental subscription payments but they aren’t going to benefit you most when your model is:-

• Following a clear approach
• Of monetary benefit to the clients.
• And applicable to a broader audience.

The cloud-based approach is highly profitable as it is not only appealing to a broader audience, but it even adds fantastic features that widen the usability base.

Target Audience

It is vital to answer this question since, as a SaaS Development company, your value proposition is directly dependent upon your buyers’ personalities. The strategy implemented for teenagers can’t be used for the elderly or pregnant women. Each of these groups has varying needs, and therefore it is vital to know the mindset of buyers. Once you have identified your target audience and understood their thought process properly, you will know what they want today and what they will require tomorrow, which in return is going to benefit your company in the long run.

Features and Functionality

What sets your SaaS product from the competition is its functionality and how well it solves your customer’s problem. Pay extra attention to the core functionality of your SaaS application and know the ways to improvise it. To know which of the features comes in the core functionality of your solution, begin from the epicenter of the app and ask yourself if your solution fulfills its core purpose without this feature or not. So, the whole point boils down to whether your SaaS application solves the customer problem or not.

Technology Stack

Selecting a tech stack for your SaaS product is very much similar to choosing the building material of a physical structure. Here is a comprehensive list of the tech stacks which one can consider while developing a SaaS product:

For Client Facing Platform

• HTML + CSS
• JavaScript framework

For Server-Side

• JavaScript (Node.js)
• PHP (Laravel)
• Ruby on Rails

A Database for Backend Storage

• MySQL
• PostgreSQL

Server for Your Application

• Nginx
• Apache

Monetization Strategy

Ultimately, any business is done with the prospect of making money, and SaaS Development is no exception. Following methods can be availed to monetize your SaaS product:

In-App Advertising

It is the steady source of income that grows as the software gains popularity. The downside of this method is a bad user experience since nobody likes getting interrupted in the midst of some activity.

Freemium

It is one of the most popular means to grow revenue in the market. In this approach, SaaS Development Company offers a free version of the app possessing standard functionality, which, as result, attracts a broad audience.

Paid Applications

It is again a good model for customer retention since people are usually into the habit of using things they have bought. Though it is not so easy to make people buy your products as they are unknown to the credibility and relevance of your software.

Subscriptions

It is similar to the freemium model with the difference that the subscription approach gives access to extra content and no additional functionality. The only requirement of this mode is to strike a balance between free and paid content.

Launch a Prototype

Launching an MVP is the best way to test your product idea. The prototype can be introduced to your target audience, and the feedback received can be used to make changes in the solution. Your prototype needn’t have all the design aspects and UX, just the basic features needed for testing the concept. The main idea behind launching a prototype is to identify the strong and weak areas before launching the complete solution. This step will give you insights into the sections that need improvements and a better SaaS application as a result.

 SaaS Development Challenges

Entrepreneurship is always risky. Had it not been, then everybody would have been running a business. There is no sure shot road to success; instead, it is more of a trial and error pathway. In this article, we have talked about the numerous aspects of SaaS product development. Now is the time to discuss various pitfalls that users may experience in this journey:

Poor Execution

Usually, upon failure, people blame the idea, but in reality, there is no bad idea; it is the poor execution of a good idea that leads to failure.

Small Target Audience

In Spite of the vertical development trend, it is very risky to choose a direction that is way too unique. As a solution provider, one has to update and optimize the solution regularly. In the case of a small audience, your business would run into losses.

Lack of Trust

Trust is the most crucial factor in the development industry. Lack of trust means fewer customers. The problem is mainly acute with the SaaS model as it saves a large amount of user data, which makes it more vulnerable.

Bottom Line

The market for SaaS applications is growing continuously, and so it is time to come up with a new and very unique solution. The important thing to keep in mind is that your SaaS product development strategy must be well thought out coupled with deep market research.

CodeStore Technologies is a leading mobile and web application development company with a special focus on providing the best and the most efficient digital transformation solutions. We are a leading SaaS application development company helping clients from various sectors.

With the help of the latest technologies, we help in embracing your business. If you have any queries then feel free to share them at: [email protected].