How to Get SaaS Ideas - A Guide

Having a good product idea is usually the first step for anyone who wants to start a business but is still a bit lost. I’ve been there and if you’re here, you’re probably there as well.

A Framework for SaaS Ideas

After having many ideas along the years (and executing some of them), I decided to start writing down and categorizing these ideas. I’ve also spoken to other entrepreneurs in the SaaS and Micro-SaaS community and then came up with this guide. I hope it helps you find your own ideas.

Let’s dive in:

Startup Directories

The first and most obvious way to get software ideas is… by knowing other software! This way, you can start keeping up with trends and use what the market is doing to understand what kind of products users like. The idea here isn’t to copy an existing SaaS, but to get inspired and create something of your own.

A big plus is that some directories show how much each product makes or how popular each product is, which can give you an estimate of the market size and how willing people are to pay for that solution.

Some of the main startup/SaaS/product directories are:

• Product Hunt: An online platform where users can discover and share new products, apps, and services. It works as a community where creators can launch and promote their creations, while users can vote, comment, and discover new innovative products in various categories. On this platform, focus on products with positive votes and comments for inspiration.

• Indie Hackers: An online community focused on independent entrepreneurs. You can learn and discuss various topics related to SaaS and Micro-SaaS. The site also has a directory of products created by community members. The big advantage of this directory is that you can see the revenue of some products, which helps filter good ideas.

• BetaList: A platform that highlights startups and new products in their early stages, allowing entrepreneurs to showcase their new creations. The platform offers a showcase for these startups, helping them get visibility, feedback, and potential users.

• Acquire: A marketplace for buying and selling startups of all sizes. Some information is hidden and only shared with potential buyers. Still, it’s an interesting place for inspiration, as it includes business descriptions and information about recurring revenue and other relevant metrics.

Localize an Existing Solution

Do you use or know of an interesting SaaS that’s only available for one specific market? Is there no good solution yet for your local market? This could be an opportunity. Many unicorn startups used this approach to start, but this can also be used to create a simple SaaS.

It’s important to note that localizing a product isn’t just about copying what a company is doing and translating it. You need to adapt the solution to your local culture, change the communication, and often adapt the marketing approach.

Create Just One Feature of an Existing SaaS

Some SaaS offer complete solutions with many different features. These types of products aren’t usually the cheapest. If a client has most of the pain points that this all-in-one product solves, they are probably happy to pay the stiff price. But what if they only need one of these features? They’ll likely be looking for a cheaper and focused alternative that offers just what they need.

This scenario is very common, and you might have been through it. Start observing the software you see daily and think about which features could be a standalone solution.

A product created with this approach can also be highly specialized, and eventually become the best at that specific task.

Example: HubSpot is a marketing platform with features like email marketing, social media management, content management, SEO tools, analytics, CRM integration, and automation workflows. It’s an example of a SaaS that began with basic marketing tools but grew into a suite. Each of its features are also available as a different successful product.

Niche Down an Existing Product

Some products are created to serve a more general audience, while others exist to serve a more specific audience. Specific products will always be more aligned with what the target audience needs, but could not always be available in the market. This could be an opportunity for a new product to emerge and capture this market segment, which already needs the other generic tool but isn’t 100% satisfied.

The more niched your idea is, the easier it will be to validate it by communicating with users. In the future, if it makes sense for the business, you can expand into more segments and become a more generic solution.

Example: CRM (customer relationship management) is a very popular type of SaaS with big names like Salesforce and HubSpot. However, some industries have specific needs and can benefit from a niched CRM, like real estate agents or dental clinics.

It’s worth noting that often the features are quite similar, but the communication, the marketing approach, and customer relationship are adapted for the specific niche.

The Excel Tactic

As you may know, Microsoft Excel is a tool widely used in various sectors and industries in many different ways. From hiring management to data analysis and visualization.

Despite being useful, Excel has many limitations regarding interface, team collaboration, functionality, price, integrations, etc. So, whenever you see someone using Excel, ask yourself: “Could this use case be turned into an independent SaaS?”

Web vs Mobile vs Plugins vs Extensions

Many solutions in the market coexist solving similar pain points but operating on different platforms.

Some users prefer working on their computers, others prefer working on their phones. Some prefer their tools integrated, others prefer to keep things separate. Some prefer to install an app, while others prefer to keep everything in the browser. You get the point, this difference in user preferences can result in an opportunity to create a SaaS.

Some ways to execute this strategy is creating iOS/Android apps inspired by web apps. Or creating a desktop version of something that’s only available on mobile. Or even creating a Chrome extension or a plugin for other SaaS like Shopify or Slack.

The idea here is to bring a solution to a platform where it makes sense but isn’t present yet.

Examples: PDF.ai and PDFPals do roughly the same thing, but operate on different platforms.

Look for Markets with Many Competitors

New entrepreneurs usually look for a unique idea that hasn’t been touched yet. This method suggests exactly the opposite.

A so-called “crowded market” means the idea is already validated. You’ll still need ways to differentiate yourself from others in your space, which can be achieved in many ways. Here are some examples:

• Add new features faster, something easier if you’re solo or have a lean team as opposed to being in a big team from a corporation.
• Have better UI and UX.
• Use different marketing channels.
• Be cheaper or charge in a different way (for example: usage-based instead of subscription-based billing).
• Have killer customer support.
• Listen to your users and let them guide how your product evolves.

Scratch Your Own Itch

Look around for your own pain points that could be automated and turned into a product.

It’s important that your own itch should also have a big enough market if you want to transform it into a successful product. If it is too specific, it might not work.

Since you already know the pain, you probably have some understanding of the necessary steps to solve it. Using this method, you’ll be shortening the market research necessary before building.

This is one of the best methods to start with, as it makes several steps in the business validation process easier, and allows you to use your own solution in daily life.

Just Start a Project

Use any of the methods above to start a project and go through the idea validation processes, then talk to potential users, start building the product, and think of how to market it.

The more situations you go through, the easier it will be to see parts of the process that need improvement. New problems will come up, and you’ll wish for tools to solve them. If these tools don’t exist or are not good enough, you have yourself a product idea.

Choosing your idea

It’s important to notice that a great idea alone won’t guarantee your success, it is just the starting point.

To succeed, you need to validate the idea the right way, which takes time and energy. So, a big factor when considering a new idea is whether it aligns with your interests.

This can determine if you’ll keep going or give up quickly when you face challenges along the way. And believe me, there will be plenty.

What Comes After the Idea?

Now that you’ve chosen an idea, it is time for the next steps. You’ll need to do market research, understand your competitors and your target audience, and think about how to launch your MVP.

The methods presented in this guide might help you come up with SaaS ideas, but the real work comes after. It takes persistence, flexibility, and determination to turn an idea into a successful business.

The journey is challenging but can be very rewarding.