How to Build a SaaS
A practical guide to building a SaaS from idea to first paying customer. No fluff, just actionable steps.
Define Your MVP
Start with the minimum feature set that solves your core problem. Don't build everything at once.
- -Identify the one core problem you solve
- -List features as must-have vs nice-to-have
- -Plan for paying customers, not just users
- -Set a launch deadline and stick to it
Choose Your Tech Stack
Pick technologies that let you move fast without sacrificing scalability.
- -Next.js for full-stack React applications
- -Supabase for auth and database
- -Stripe for payments from day one
- -Vercel for deployment and hosting
Set Up Authentication
Implement secure authentication before anything else. Users need accounts before they can pay.
- -Email/password plus social logins
- -Magic link authentication for convenience
- -Role-based access control
- -Secure session management
Build Your Billing System
Integrate Stripe early. If you can't charge, you don't have a business.
- -Set up subscription plans
- -Handle webhook events properly
- -Build customer portal access
- -Plan for upgrades and downgrades
Create Your Core Features
Build the features that deliver your unique value. This is where your differentiation lives.
- -Focus on your core value proposition
- -Keep the UI simple and functional
- -Get user feedback early
- -Iterate based on usage data
Add Growth Tools
Build the infrastructure to acquire and manage customers.
- -Lead capture forms
- -CRM for managing contacts
- -Email for onboarding and updates
- -Analytics to understand usage
Launch and Iterate
Ship it. Get real users. Learn. Improve. Repeat.
- -Launch before you feel ready
- -Talk to every early customer
- -Fix issues quickly
- -Double down on what works
Or Skip Steps 2-6
LaunchKit comes with authentication, billing, CRM, booking, and admin tools already built. Focus on your unique features instead.
With LaunchKit, go from idea to paying customers in days, not months.
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