For quite some time, you’ve wanted to build your own SaaS platform. You’ve got a specific function that your platform will perform. You often daydream about how much convenience your new platform will bring to your life. You might even make some money off your SaaS platform to buy that yacht from Casino Royale.
The problem is, you’ve never written a line of code in your life.
Thankfully, many software companies around the world have built “no-code” tools, allowing you to build your own app without knowing code or possessing any technical knowledge. That’s right: You can create your dream SaaS platform right now.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a four-step strategy you can employ to build your own slick, no-code SaaS platform in no time.
Step 1: Visualize Your SaaS Platform
You already know how your platform works because it's been on your mind since Taylor Swift was still a country singer. Now, your first task is to write down what functions your SaaS platform will perform and the value it’ll bring anyone using it.
Taking the time to jot down these ideas will literally put your thoughts into words. You might be able to determine some improvements or new features you didn’t think of before.
Draw rough mock-ups that visualize your product’s interface. Having a rough idea of your platform’s aesthetics will guide you when you find the no-code platform you’ll use to build your platform.
Here are some of the things you’ll want to consider before you start no-coding:
- What’s the primary value your user will get from your SaaS platform?
- How will they get it? Do they have to give information up front? Where will you collect it?
- How will your user log in to your app?
- How will you take payment from the user? How often?
- What 3rd party services or data sources might your SaaS app need to connect to?
These might feel a little in-depth before you’ve even chosen a no-code tool to build your SaaS app on, but the most common mistake we see would-be no-coders make is to start building out their idea on their chosen platform, only to realize the platform can’t do what they want it to do after three days spent building.
Step 2: Choose a No-code Platform
There’s an array of no-code tools out there. We’ve done our research for you and narrowed the selection down to three solid no-code SaaS platform builders.
Adalo
Adalo is a no-code drag-and-drop SaaS platform builder which creates both web and (real) mobile apps. It’s got a simple user interface, a lengthy list of templates to choose from, and almost-infinite customization and configuration options. With so many pre-made components available, you have the power to cobble together almost any application with ease.
Adalo integrates with most payment platforms, like Square, Stripe, PayPal, and more. You can easily support all kind of SaaS business models, like subscription-based businesses, life-time deals and even marketplaces.
What Sets it Apart
Adalo allows you to create a SaaS platform with both a mobile app and a website all at once, and yet the interface is the most user-friendly one on this list. With Adalo, you can make your app available for download on the Apple iOS App Store, Google Play Store, or your domain name. With access to the primary app platforms, you can make your application available to a massive audience.
Who Is It Best For?
Use Adalo if you want to build an aesthetically pleasing SaaS app without design experience. Given its integration with most payment platforms, Adalo is a slam dunk for those looking to use their SaaS app to accept payments.
Pricing
Adalo has a free version with 1,000 monthly app actions and one published app (each time you put something on your app, it’s an “app action”), and a Professional version at $52 with 30,000 app actions and two published apps.
Appy Pie
Appy Pie is a versatile, easy-to-use, no-code saas app builder and development platform. You can use Appy Pie to create mobile apps, websites, chatbots, and more, making it a versatile no-code SaaS platform-creation option.
What Sets it Apart
Appy Pie has a mind-boggling number of applications and templates. If your idea appeals to a niche industry or has complex functions, Appy Pie will most likely meet your needs because of its many applications and templates. If you don’t need too much customizability, Appy Pie is the clear choice.
Who Is It Best For?
Anyone who wants to launch their SaaS platform idea yesterday will appreciate Appy Pie’s vast array of design choices, templates, and functions appeals to those with niche, difficult-to-design ideas.
Pricing
Appy Pie starts with a Standard Plan at $12/month, allowing you to execute 15,000 tasks monthly; their Business Plan is $80/month, giving you 150,000 tasks monthly.
Bravo Studio
Bravo Studio is a unique no-code platform which transforms Figma or Adobe XD designs into fully functional mobile applications. Its approach to app development focuses on design above all else. If you’re looking to bring your UI designs to life in a SaaS app, Bravo Studio might be a good fit for you.
What Sets it Apart
Unsurprisingly, Bravo Studio provides by-far the most comprehensive design customization of any no-code SaaS building platform on the market. While it can become a little technical to create the functionality you need, Bravo integrates with 3rd-party platforms like Xano to give you a helping hand.
Who Is It Best For?
Bravo Studio is an excellent choice if you’re a designer and have experience using Adobe XD and Figma. Once you surpass the learning curve, you can leverage its pixel-perfect design freedom, giving you strong visual control. Bravo Studio can take any Figma of Adobe XD design and seamlessly transform it into a mobile app.
Pricing
Bravo Studio provides a free version with unlimited app projects with up to 15 app screens. The Solo Version at $23/month gives up to 30 app screens with the ability to publish your app on iOS and Android.
Step 3: Build, Test, and Launch
You’ve chosen your no-code builder; now it's time to start building! Have your plans ready and get started. Your chosen no-code app creator will provide you with clear instructions and tutorials on how to get started.
Experiment with different templates, features, and plug-ins, and if the tutorials aren’t helping you find a feature, don’t hesitate to look it up on Google or YouTube.
Once you are comfortable with your product, it’s time to start testing. Keep the following points in mind when testing your app:
- Go through each feature on your app several times.
- Ensure you can navigate from feature to feature problem-free.
- Determine how long your app takes to load and process tasks and compare these times. Did two of the same iterations load at different speeds? This issue is something you’ll need to resolve.
- Monitor built-in analytics features, checking for any slow or non-functioning performances. Resolve any issues you discover.
- Leverage iOS Test Flight and Google Play’s beta testing feature to find people to test your app. Collect feedback about performance; make fixtures as needed.
When your app functions flawlessly, the people testing it confirm its flawlessness, and you like how it functions, your app is ready for launch.
If you encounter problems uploading your app to the Apple iOS or Google Play Store, you can contact your provider for guidance.
Step 4: Maintenance and Growth
Treat your freshly launched platform like gardeners treat their gardens. Check up on your platform daily, and always be on the lookout for glitches and other user-experience-ruining imperfections.
Bonus points if you offer support by providing a way to contact you—like an email address, contact form, or chatbot on your site. When you listen to feedback and actively fix problems, users will see you in a professional light, which could popularize your app.
As your user base grows, consider scaling up your platform. Scaling up may include adding new features, enhancing existing ones, or expanding your market reach. Importantly, stay current about the latest SaaS trends and no-code development. You might be able to create a decent revenue stream if you scale. Staying on top of industry trends keeps you informed about the newest cutting-edge features you can apply to your platform.
Build your SaaS platform with Adalo
Do you want to make your SaaS platform an app? Use Adalo to build it.
Adalo is equipped with no shortage of customizable templates, ready to quickly build an app to your liking. You’ll find several app-crafting features enabling you to craft almost any versatile app while integrating payments, scheduling, and other actions.
Adalo’s easy, drag-and-drop interface means you can build a powerful, no-code SaaS platform without the learning curve of programming. Hundreds of aspiring SaaS developers like you already use it. Unlike many competitors, Adalo lets you publish your SaaS app on the Apple iOS and Google Play App stores. If you prefer a web app for your SaaS users, Adalo transforms your mobile layout into a responsive, desktop-sized layout with a single click.
