Introduction

Starting your own SaaS (Software as a Service) company has never been easier. With new tools and platforms, anyone can build software without writing a single line of code. Gone are the days of raising millions of dollars, hiring teams of developers, and managing your own servers. If you have a SaaS idea and a few hundred bucks, you’re in luck. Today, I’m going to show you how to build your first SaaS in five simple steps with zero code. I built my own AI SaaS a few months ago, and now I’ll break down the process. Plus, I’ll share our launch strategy that got us hundreds of paid users on our first day. Our goal is to be as cost-efficient and time-efficient as possible.

Step 1: Create a Wireframe

The first thing you’ll want to do is create a wireframe of your app. A wireframe is a visual representation of your app’s layout and flow, helping you visualize what it will look like without building the actual functionality. This step is crucial because at this point, you don’t know if your idea is even viable.

To create a wireframe, Figma is going to be your best friend. If you have an eye for design and are on a tight budget, Figma is very user-friendly and has all the components you need to lay out your app. However, if you have $200 to spare, you might be better off hiring a professional designer on Upwork to do this for you.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Write down a description of what your app will do.
2. List all the features you want to include.
3. Gather reference images or screenshots of other apps that resemble your vision.

The more reference images you provide, the better your designer will understand your vision, and the faster they can complete the design. A Figma design should be done relatively quickly, typically within a week, depending on the complexity of your idea. Once you have your Figma design, it’s time to see if people think your idea is good.

Step 2: Test Your Idea

The second step is to test your idea, often referred to as “validating” your software. It’s essential to see if people are interested in your concept before you spend time building out the functionality. With your Figma wireframe in hand, you can easily showcase your app’s design, which, at first glance, looks like a fully built app.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Find a few potential users who might be interested in your app.
2. Send them a message, saying something like, “Hey, I’m working on a new software idea, and I’m curious—if this existed, would you use it?” Then share your Figma design with them.
3. Gather feedback on what features they like or don’t like, and ask for suggestions to improve the app.

Brutally honest feedback from strangers is what you need here. You can find these people in Discord communities, Twitter, Reddit, or LinkedIn. Offer to pay them for their time, but often, people are happy to help without compensation. Getting their feedback will help you prioritize which features to include in your Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Next, create a quick landing page on Webflow and start a waiting list. This page should include a headline, a short description, and some screenshots of your Figma app. Add an email submission form so people can sign up to join your waitlist. Promote this landing page on your social media profiles and create content to drive traffic to it. If people sign up, you may have a winning idea.

Step 3: Build Your MVP

Now that your idea is validated, it’s time to build your MVP. In the SaaS world, MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product. Your goal here is to build only the core feature that people want and launch as quickly as possible. Perfectionism is the number one reason most first-time founders fail, so focus on getting the MVP out the door.

Thanks to no-code tools, you don’t need to hire a developer or write code yourself. We used platforms like Bubble, Make.com, and RapidAPI to build our SaaS. Here’s how:

1. Bubble: A drag-and-drop software builder where you can start adding all your components, tying together your APIs, and connecting all the buttons.
2. Make.com: A visual no-code API builder that allows you to connect various pre-built features to create your app’s backend.
3. RapidAPI: Provides access to thousands of pre-built APIs, allowing you to add functionality to your app without hardcoding anything.

By using these tools, you can piece together existing features to solve a specific niche problem. It’s like building a computer—you assemble pre-built parts rather than creating everything from scratch.

While these no-code tools make building software easier, there is still a learning curve. You’ll need to understand SaaS terminology, how to configure apps, and the overall flow. If you want to dive deeper, consider enrolling in our new no-code SaaS course, Future Dev, where we teach you how to use Bubble, Make.com, and RapidAPI to build virtually any SaaS idea you have.

Step 4: Prepare for Pre-Launch

While building your MVP, start working on your media assets. The earlier you begin building these assets, the more successful your launch will be. Media assets include Instagram accounts, Discord communities, newsletters, Twitter accounts, or even a YouTube channel. The idea is to build an audience of people who will be interested in your SaaS when it launches.

Focus on creating content that resonates with your target audience. You don’t need to use your SaaS company’s name—create “disguise” accounts that offer valuable content for free. For example, if your SaaS is for car enthusiasts, start an Instagram account called “Everyday Car Guy” and share content about the car market, news, and trending models. When your SaaS is ready, you can organically promote it to your growing audience.

Content marketing is the most effective way to launch SaaS in 2024. You don’t even need to show your face or voice. Use AI-generated voices, make graphics on Canva, or hire User-Generated Content (UGC) creators for TikTok. Get creative, and start building your audience before your product is fully ready.

Step 5: Launch

It’s finally time to launch your SaaS. The first thing you’ll need is a sales page, similar to the waitlist page you created earlier, but with a demo video and a signup page.

Here’s what to include:

1. Demo Video: A simple video using Loom, where you walk viewers through how the app works with a voiceover and screen recording.
2. Signup Page: Clearly display your pricing and encourage visitors to sign up for a 7-day free trial. Ensure your Stripe integration is working properly.

The copy on your sales page should be concise and focus on the outcomes your app delivers and the problem it solves. People should be able to understand what your app does and who it is for in just two sentences. Include visual step-by-step images with short descriptions to help users understand how the app works.

Once your sales page is ready, launch on platforms like Product Hunt. This platform is a curation of the best new products, and it’s a great place to get your SaaS in front of a tech-savvy audience.

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Starting a SaaS in 2024 is more accessible than ever, but success still requires careful planning, validation, and execution. By following these five simple steps—creating a wireframe, testing your idea, building your MVP, preparing for pre-launch, and launching effectively—you can bring your SaaS idea to life. And remember, the key is to stay focused on delivering value to your users. Good luck!