Бесплатный фрагмент - Saas Guide: 12 steps to a Multi-Million Dollar Business

From the authors

Alexey Afanasyev

This book is dedicated to my family — the people who supported me through years of entrepreneurial experiments and helped me survive each crash.

My first attempt at building a business started back in 2011

Like many startup stories, it began with a great idea, a trusting investor, and a team of developers. I thought I was doing everything right: signed contracts, created detailed specs, even motivated the team by giving them shares. Then came the long wait.

About a year later, we had the first version of our platform — a service for building online stores in just a few clicks. It kind of worked, but it was full of bugs and glitches. More months passed as we fixed bugs, tested, and made improvements..

A year and a half in, we replaced the entire development team. Within a few months, we had a somewhat stable product. First users came in, and with them — a wave of feature requests.

But it quickly became clear that scaling the product wasn’t realistic. The code was a mess — a patchwork of workarounds and outdated logic. I kept pouring money into it, selling off personal belongings, living in the office for months — desperately trying to make it work.

“The financial hole is the deepest of all — you can fall into it forever…”

At some point, I realized there was no point in going any further — I wiped all the data from the servers, shut the business down, and threw myself into learning how to code.

A year later, I landed my first freelance project: building an online store. More serious projects followed.

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By 2022, we launched a new company and started growing a digital agency. The failures, the skills I gained from client work, the research into successful startups, and the experience of building and improving my own SaaS platform — all of it helped shape my current approach to building a startup.

My advice: If you want to avoid wasting your savings and ending up with nothing — invest in knowledge and experience.

Study the market you want to work in. Use affordable tools to build your MVP. Focus on reaching operational profitability first — and only then think about raising money.

Or better yet — don’t raise money at all.

Instead, aim to generate revenue from day one. Apply for grants and IT subsidies. Build this into your strategy from the beginning.

Forget about registering a company, hiring designers, making fancy logos, renting offices, or hiring assistants.

Your only goal right now is to reach profitability as fast as possible.

You don’t have to be a genius to build a successful startup.

Stick to a scientific approach — make decisions based on data, not gut feeling or client assumptions.

Learn our framework and build your own micro-SaaS from scratch — from idea to revenue in just 3 months.

And you can do it without quitting your day job.

Maria Afanasyeva

Hello to everyone who dreams of building their own SaaS product and changing the IT world!

In today’s world, success comes to those who are willing to invest in themselves and their knowledge.

This eBook is your personal guide to building a digital product from the ground up.

We’ve broken down the complex process of SaaS development into simple, actionable steps anyone can follow. From finding an idea to launching your product — every stage is clearly explained and proven in practice.

Remember: your most valuable asset as an entrepreneur is your skills and knowledge.

That’s why we’ve collected our best tips and insights to help you avoid common mistakes and achieve results quickly.

Start investing in your education today, and in just a few months you’ll have your very own working product.

Let’s go make something great!

Chapter 1.
SaaS as a digital asset

Digital assets: an overview

You’ve probably heard the term “digital assets.” No, I’m not talking about cryptocurrency. These are products that earn money with little ongoing effort — NFT marketplace items, e-books, courses, videos, audio files, software, and more.

If financial freedom is your goal — especially in today’s uncertain economic and political climate — start building your own digital assets. Think of them as a long-term investment that keeps paying off.

In this book, we’ll break down exactly how to create and scale a software product as an online service.

Who is this book for?

This book is for dreamers who want to build an online business that can grow without limits.Today, this is entirely possible for anyone — regardless of experience or specialist field.

Yes, 90% of ideas will fail. That’s normal. This guide’s purpose is to give you a step-by-step blueprint — from idea selection to development, growth, and monetization: how to choose a micro-SaaS idea; crafting a product concept and positioning strategy; picking the right monetization model; essential tools for building and scaling; developing your first MVP; finding investors and that’s just the beginning.

One idea is a gamble. Three ideas are a strategy. Test hypotheses, launch quickly and cut what doesn’t work – that’s the success formula.

What are SaaS products
and micro-SaaS products?

The software market continues its steady evolution, consistently attracting entrepreneurs seeking stable and profitable opportunities.

In this chapter, we’ll examine the unique advantages of building a business around both SaaS and micro-SaaS products.

What is SaaS?

When you subscribe to an online streaming service, you’re essentially paying a monthly fee to use their software — that’s what SaaS is. You get access to the product through the web, while the service provider takes care of all the maintenance, updates, and improvements behind the scenes.

A micro-SaaS is a business built around solving one specific problem for a clearly defined group of people — and doing it exceptionally well. The goal isn’t to pile on features, but to deliver real value to a focused audience through outstanding service.

Often, a micro-SaaS can be launched and run by just one person. As the business grows, it’s easy to bring on a small team to handle customer support, roll out updates, and promote the product.

Teams running micro-SaaS products typically earn anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 per month. While that might not sound huge compared to the big tech players, it’s more than enough to build a sustainable, profitable business. Thanks to modern development tools and automation, ongoing costs can be surprisingly low — making micro-SaaS one of the most accessible and efficient paths to digital entrepreneurship.

Why is micro-SaaS becoming so popular?

The rise of micro-SaaS projects is fueled by several major shifts in technology:

1. Lower tech costs

Thanks to breakthroughs in cloud infrastructure, it’s now possible to use powerful servers, serverless architecture, AI, and machine learning — and pay only for what you actually use. Data backups and security features are often included by default in cloud plans, reducing the burden on founders even further.

2. The rise of no-code and low-code platforms

No-code tools let you build fully functional digital products — with business logic and third-party integrations — without writing a single line of code. Low-code platforms go a step further and allow you to add your own code for more advanced or custom features.

The only thing you really need is the ability to spot a problem and figure out how to solve it. That’s the true skill. Everything else — tech, tools, frameworks — you’ll pick up as you go.

To build a service that solves a real problem for your users, you’ll need some basic technical literacy: understanding how web apps work, what APIs are, how data is stored, how to design simple systems, and how to protect customer data.

And this is true whether you’re building your product by hand using code, or with no-code/low-code platforms.

3. Changing customer behavior

Businesses are starting to realize the value of SaaS. It’s simply easier and more efficient to pay a monthly fee for a ready-to-use solution than to build something from scratch.

Plus, the shift toward remote work has increased demand for small, focused companies that provide real solutions and personalized service — without the overhead of big enterprise providers.

4. New marketing opportunities

It’s never been easier — or cheaper — to reach your target customers. With a small initial budget, you can run targeted ads on social media and messaging platforms, and test demand within days.

The combination of accessible tools, lower costs, and a low barrier to entry has opened the door for solo founders and small teams to build real businesses from anywhere — even from home.

Chapter 2.
Stages of SaaS product implementation

SaaS project development methodology

In the following chapters, we’ll walk through both the theory and hands-on practice of building your own product — from that very first idea all the way to reaching operational profitability.

The core of our method? Continuous experimentation. It’s a structured process designed to help you fully understand what it takes to build a viable, high-tech business — and to do it with purpose, not guesswork.

As your project evolves, you’ll learn to make decisions based on data, not assumptions or wishful thinking. That’s exactly what helps most entrepreneurs avoid the costly mistakes that come with launching new products.

Here’s what we’ll cover next:

1. Actionable tips on how to find a great startup idea (plus a bonus list of 50 startup ideas to spark your thinking).

2. How to test your idea for real-world viability.

3. How to turn your idea into a product concept.

4. Key elements of designing a SaaS service.

5. How to build an MVP version of your product using a no-code platform.

6. Best practices for beta testing and gathering meaningful feedback.

7. How to develop a solid strategy for product growth, positioning, and promotion.

8. What it takes to successfully launch your MVP.

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9. How to manage your service: collecting, analyzing, and acting on the data.

10. How to build a support system that actually keeps your customers happy.

11. How to assemble your dream team — and when.

12. How to prepare the technical documentation needed to attract external funding.

Ready? Let’s Dive In!

How to start working on your project without burning out?

These tips are for anyone who has big goals but isn’t sure where to start — or is afraid of burning out before they get there.

Tip 1: Take small, consistent steps every day.

Momentum builds gradually. Don’t worry about giant leaps — just keep moving forward, even if progress feels slow.

Tip 2: Make learning a daily habit.

Slow and steady wins the race. Lasting results come from regular, structured effort — not bursts of energy followed by burnout.

Tip 3: Don’t sacrifice your personal life or rest.

Balance is key. Staying in the game long enough to succeed means taking care of yourself along the way.

These simple habits will help you stay focused, avoid burnout, and make steady progress toward your vision.

Chapter 3.
Idea selection & validation strategies

Useful tips on how to find an idea for your startup

Do you know why so many startups are doomed from the very beginning?

Because their founders come up with ideas out of thin air — without solving any real problem. The startup is built around a solution no one actually needs.

The majority of successful startups?

They’re born out of the founders’ real-world experience. The idea came naturally — from their own struggles, frustrations, or observations.

“We’ve learned that the real key to startup success is constant experimentation and learning.”

You can draw inspiration from all kinds of innovation — scientific discoveries, new versions of existing technologies, or fresh business models that unlock hidden value. The important part is starting with something real.

Where to find your next great startup idea:

Tip 1. Pick a direction and master it — or better yet, master several.

Programming and marketing. Design and sales. The more intersections of knowledge you explore, the more unique insights you’ll gain.

Tip 2. Look around you.

What frustrates you at work, at home, in everyday life? Where do you lose time, money, or energy? What kills your productivity?

Instead of trying to “invent” an idea, start noticing what’s missing right now — something small that might be valuable in the future.

Tip 3. Explore what’s possible with new technologies.

Artificial intelligence, blockchain, crypto — they all open up new doors. Study what successful startups are doing and think: How could I improve this idea or apply it in a new way?

Tip 4. Look at existing SaaS tools.

Ask yourself: how could I build something entirely new on top of what already exists — especially with services that offer open APIs?

Tip 5. Clone a great idea — but for a different niche.

A proven model in one industry can work just as well in another.

Tip 6. Watch for changes in legislation.

Upcoming legal or regulatory shifts can open the door to entirely new types of online businesses.

Tip 7. Study declining industries.

They’re full of opportunity. Apply modern tech to make life easier for people stuck in outdated systems — and you might just build something great.

Tip 8. Talk to people around you.

Ask your friends and colleagues what challenges they face in their work. This alone can spark a dozen solid startup ideas.

Tip 9. Reach out to domain experts.

People with deep knowledge in a specific field can point you to real problems you’d never discover on your own — and that’s gold.

Tip 10. Check out our list of 50 startup ideas.

Look for ways to remix or combine several ideas into one solid product.

Want to come up with something truly original?

Grab a notebook and write down every idea that comes to mind for 15 days straight. Don’t filter or judge. Just capture them.

After two weeks, revisit your notes. You’ll probably spot one idea that stands out — and that just might be the one to build your business around.

Ideas list for your startup

Right now is an incredibly exciting time to enter the SaaS market. Every day, new tools and technologies are making it easier — and more profitable — to monetize digital products.

To help you kickstart your brainstorming, we’ve put together a list of 10 full-scale SaaS product ideas and 40 micro-SaaS concepts.

10 SaaS product ideas

1. Legal Practice Management Platform

A tool for law firms that simplifies case management, tracks billable hours, automates repetitive tasks, and enables seamless collaboration with clients and colleagues in real time. With the right execution, this could completely change how legal professionals operate.

2. Real Estate Management Software

Designed for real estate agents and brokers, this platform helps manage listings, clients, and transactions — all while reducing the administrative workload and freeing up valuable time.

3. Healthcare Service Platform

A system for medical service providers to better manage patient data, schedule appointments, handle billing, and maintain electronic health records accessible from anywhere.

4. Omnichannel Customer Support Tool

A centralized support dashboard that lets businesses handle customer inquiries across all communication channels — email, chat, social media, and more — in one place. It automates workflows and provides detailed analytics to improve support quality and efficiency.

5. All-in-One Cybersecurity Suite

A powerful solution that includes encryption tools, threat detection, and secure access controls to help businesses safeguard their digital infrastructure.

6. Corporate Video Conferencing Platform

A communication tool tailored for remote teams and distributed companies to stay connected through secure and reliable video conferencing.

7. Sales Enablement Platform

A SaaS solution that equips sales teams with better analytics, lead nurturing tools, and CRM integrations to help them close deals faster and build stronger client relationships.

8. Social Media Analytics Tool

A platform that helps businesses make sense of their online presence by tracking engagement, reach, audience demographics, and other key social media metrics — all in one place.

9. Sales Forecasting Software

Helps companies accurately predict sales performance, identify bottlenecks, and make smarter decisions about resource allocation and strategy.

10. Document Management System (DMS)

A platform for organizing, storing, and accessing digital documents — streamlining internal workflows and improving team collaboration.

40 Micro-SaaS product ideas

Micro-SaaS — or “micro software as a service” — is a leaner, more focused version of traditional SaaS. Instead of targeting a broad audience with a large set of features, micro-SaaS products solve very specific problems for niche markets. Often, these products are built and run by solo founders or very small teams on minimal budgets.

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Here are 40 micro-SaaS ideas to get your imagination going:

1. Property management platform for small landlords or local real estate agents.

2. AI-powered image generation tool for creatives or marketers.

3. Niche analytics dashboard — e.g., player engagement for mobile game developers, or foot traffic insights for boutique stores.

4. Content management system (CMS) tailored for specific audiences — such as graphic designers’ portfolios or gourmet chefs’ recipes.

5. Collaboration hub for architects, with real-time building plan measurement tools and communication features.

6. Blockchain-based client data storage platform with encrypted, multi-block transaction records.

7. Remote team management tool with built-in project tracking, time tracking, file sharing, and workflow management — all in one place.

8. Password manager for teams, focused on secure identity and access management.

9. Employee KPI tracker to monitor performance and identify underperformance.

10. CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) toolkit with behavioral analytics and visual reporting.

11. Mini-ERP system for small businesses — a web-based platform combining finance, project management, supply chain tracking, and procurement.

12. Micro-course platform where users can learn specific skills to solve specific problems.

13. Social media planner and auto-poster with smart automation.

14. SEO ranking tracker with historical data and competitor comparisons.

15. Auto-generated report builder from any user-uploaded data.

16. Affiliate marketing dashboard to manage campaigns and commissions.

17. AI-based personal assistant for note-taking, planning, and task management.

18. Task and project tracker for individuals and teams.

19. Time tracking app for freelancers, managers, and teams.

20. AI writing assistant for creating SEO-optimized blog posts and website content.

21. AI-powered marketing copy generator for product descriptions, ads, and landing pages.

22. Video script generator platform for social media clips, product reviews, or ad creatives.

23. GPT-powered product recommendation engine for e-commerce.

24. Text report generator across multiple themes or industries.

25. Project manager assistant with GPT, automating task assignments, progress tracking, and deadline reminders.

26. Automated ad campaign builder using GPT to create ad slogans, copy, and image suggestions.

27. Personal finance tracking app for budgeting and expense categorization.

28. Smart event and meeting planner with time zone syncing and automated reminders.

29. Focus and productivity tracker with timers, session stats, and distraction logging.

30. AI-based financial advisor for budgeting, investing, and taxes.

31. Legal process automation tool using GPT to generate contracts, agreements, forms, and more — saving time and reducing legal costs.

32. AI-powered resume builder that automatically composes resumes from user input.

33. On-demand virtual interview platform for one-on-one candidate screening.

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34. GPT-powered educational task generator for schools and HR teams to create unique learning materials and assessments.

35. Review management platform for tracking and responding to reviews across multiple sites.

36. AI-powered virtual assistant with scheduling and smart reply features.

37. Customer segmentation and smart notification tool for email/SMS/push campaigns.

38. Dynamic pricing engine for e-commerce based on market trends and customer behavior.

39. Creative asset management and storefront for selling videos, music, and other digital content.

40. Blockchain-based NFT marketplace for artists, photographers, and designers to sell digital work.

How to use SaaS ideas to build a unique business

Here are a few effective ways to use the list of SaaS ideas to create a product that stands out:

1. Combine Features Creatively

• Merge similar tools into one all-in-one platform.

• Build a solution that addresses multiple related problems.

• Add unique integrations with popular third-party services.

2. Niche specialization:

• Focus on a specific industry or business type;

• Adapt existing ideas to fit the specific needs of your target market;

• Create a solution for a narrow segment that is currently underserved.

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3. Innovative approach:

• Implement cutting-edge technologies like AI or machine learning;

• Introduce a new interface or user interaction model;

• Use modern tech stacks to increase speed and efficiency.

4. Business model:

• Offer a freemium version with standout basic features;

• Provide flexible subscription options with customizable tools;

• Build a model that includes extra services and learning materials.

5. User experience:

Put strong emphasis on simplicity and usability: build an intuitive interface and deliver excellent customer support.

6. Monetization:

Add new revenue streams (like an internal marketplace), introduce referral programs, and offer premium content or educational resources.

7. Localization:

Adapt existing solutions to your local market, taking cultural specifics into account. Offer local language support and region-specific functionality.

8. Ecosystem:

Create a plugin platform for developers, build a system of partner integrations, and grow a community around your product.

The most important step is to run a deep market analysis and figure out which aspects of existing solutions can be improved or extended — so you can build a product that people actually need.

How Yandex Cloud helps businesses embrace the digital age?

What is Yandex Cloud?

Yandex Cloud is a Russian cloud platform that offers a wide range of infrastructure and platform services for building, testing, and scaling applications.

Key benefits for startups

1. Global availability

Fast and reliable access for users, thanks to a distributed network of data centers and CDN infrastructure.

2. Flexible pricing

Pay only for the resources you actually use — a critical advantage during the early stages of product development.

3. Scalability

Easily adjust your infrastructure to handle increased traffic without downtime or data loss.

4. Security

Full compliance with international data protection standards and modern encryption technologies.

5. Technology diversity

Access to a broad stack of services — from virtual machines and databases to machine learning and analytics tools.

Extra advantages

1. Simple and intuitive resource management via web console and API

2. Built-in automation for deployment and scaling

3. 24/7 technical support in English

4. Pre-configured solutions for common use cases

Start your project with a trusted cloud platform that lets you focus on what matters most — building your product and growing your business.

Individuals from Europe, the United States, and other countries can use Yandex Cloud.

The platform provides access to its services for non-residents of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan, including private individuals.

All services are billed exclusively in U.S. dollars (USD), regardless of the user’s country of residence.

Important considerations:

1. Taxes:

Any taxes or fees required by the laws of your country must be paid independently. They are not included in the services cost.

2. Account activation:

Once your account is created, it may take up to three business days to be activated, pending review and approval by Yandex Cloud managers.

Thus, individuals from Europe, the U.S., and other parts of the world can fully access and use Yandex Cloud services by following a simple registration and payment process.

Yandex Cloud tools for different industries

1. Website and Application Hosting:

• Compute Cloud – virtual servers for hosting websites and applications