I created a SaaS entirely using No Code
I'm a seasoned software developer and SaaS founder.
My SaaS, FeedHive, is doing almost $20K MRR, and it's created using... tons of code, complex infrastructure, and a long list of JavaScript / NodeJS libraries.
I wanted to try something new
But! For a recent YouTube video, I wanted to try something new.
I wanted to try building an entire SaaS product only using No Code tools.
And even though I come from a coding background, I have to say: I am DEEPLY IMPRESSED with what you can actually build today, without having to program.
The SaaS is not actually in production, and it's not actually making money.
It's a demo SaaS for the purpose of building it with No Code.
It's called CryptoView, and it's a tool to manage and track your net worth in cryptocurrencies.
The "tech stack"
Here's the tech stack I ended up using:
🔸 Webflow
🔸 Memberstack
🔸 Stripe
🔸 Zapier
🔸 Airtable
Quick breakdown
Webflow
For setting up the website including pricing page, login / signup page, and a member page for the "gated" part of the web app.
Memberstack
Super awesome tool to handle memberships in Webflow.
Works with a minimum of configuration and without writing code at all.
Stripe
To handle payment. Plays well with Memberstack out-of-the-box.
Zapier
To wire various things together.
Airtable
To store data for the subscribing users (i.e. their crypto portfolios in this case).
What's next?
So, the question is:
Is the next serious SaaS project I'm launching going to be built in No Code?
Probably not.
At least not the full solution.
But I would definitely be inclined to build the MVP, and set up the marketing site using these technologies.
I would probably also replace a lot of lambdas and cloud functions with Airtable and Zapier for keeping track of marketing emails, updating customer lists on various ad platforms, handling newsletter subscriptions, etc.
But what I find most exciting... If I were not a programmer (and didn't have the option to cofound with one) - no way I would let that stand in my way!
With the evolution of these tools, the barrier of entry to the SaaS world just became even lower 💪
Do you wanna check out the full video?
See it on YouTube
Thank you for reading.
I hope you enjoyed this little breakdown.
This is a great idea. I'm building an alternative for Zapier:
https://github.com/dotenx/dotenx
I'm launching it in a few days with a closed group of users with free access, if you're interested I can DM you when it's launched.
Nice! This seems pretty interesting.
You're very welcome to shoot me a DM on Twitter when this is ready 😁
Thanks for the kind words, will DM you in a few days.
What's different with https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n ?
There are fundamental differences, it's language agnostic to begin with, instead of being Node.js based.
Thanks for sharing, interesting getting your views given your development background. Nocode feels it has huge potential for initial product (MVP) releases at a time where things are likely to adjust a bunch over time as you learn more from customers and the market.
Then when things are more stable the consideration to build "v2" in a more bespoke way can be looked at.
Yeah - that's pretty much how I see it as well.
👍🏼
As a fellow software engineer, I've found the capabilities of the various no code tools these days are very impressive. I've built an entire SaaS LMS with Bubble that goes into testing next week. I've also dabbled with a few others. There are so many mature and new projects to keep an eye out for. Xano, Backendless, Lobe, Appguyver, Adalo to name a few.
What is your no-code LMS? I'm intrigued 👀
That Youtube video is absolutely gold @SimonHoiberg! Subscribed and patiently waiting for part 2!
Thanks a ton 🙌
I'm really happy you think so!
No-Code is really powerful.
It has improved a lot & new great no-code tools coming every day catering to specific problems like the.com, third web, ycode, softr.io, etc.
It's for that 99% of people who want to bring their ideas to life but don't have time or want to learn to code.
That's why we are building the future of no-code education & startups at bluespace.
That's great. Thank you for sharing!
This is a great post that I think others can learn a lot from.
Thanks for sharing and giving a nice realistic example stack with no-code.
Thanks, man! Super happy to hear that.
Interesting stuff. Are there any other payment solutions similar to member stack that you know of? I am looking for some low-code service ideally and I want to compare a few.
This is a great idea.
Thanks!
No-code tools are here to stay. They give so much power to non-technical people
Absolutely - it's quite incredible!
Hi @SimonHoiberg
Well done.
I have been building tech startups since 2004. But every time, I had to rely on others to build the product as I am not a software engineer. This time, I wanted to see whether I can do everything myself.
It took me 3 days to knock out https://skilledup.life using WordPress. And we are still running the same after 21 months now with 5,396 Volunteers and a bunch of customers.
Since then we have started to build extensions (SkilledUp Life Insights) by seconding a software engineer from my other company. But the core is still the same.
No code comes in a variety of ways. But CMS based approaches have been there for many years.
But when we eventually decide to properly code the application, it will be an expensive and tricky project.
Well done, man 👏
I think this is super inspiring for many founders in the same situation.
I do think having engineers involved at some point is inevitable in most cases.
But it's incredible how No Code can remove that initial barrier so non-technical entrepreneurs can get out and test the market before going deep into (expensive) development!
Thanks. One of the beauties of WordPress is Google loves it. Just Google "tech startups talent". We have not done a single thing on SEO. When we replace the CMS with real tech, I doubt we would get anywhere this high on Google.
This is very interesting on how you combine all of these services. I have no code skill but intend to work on SaaS project. This content help me a lot. Thanks again!
I'm very happy to hear that!
You are most welcome.
Anyway, what do you think if I change webflow with plasmic? but with same combination like what u suggest.
Interesting! Hmm I might need to look into the Zapier/Airtable combo.
That's an amazing combination - allows for super useful workflows.
You totally should 💪
I was considering using webflow. It's good validation to see you mention it. Thanks.
You got it! It's a fantastic tool 🙌
👍
No code definitely has huge potential.
I'm still on the fence for technical apps but as developers we SHOULD NOT ignore the coming wave of no-code apps.
Definitely a wave worth learning to ride as we'll have a major edge using this technology.
This is my stance exactly!
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
You're very welcome 🔥
Glad you found it interesting.
Great video Simon! No-code is a revolution and we haven´t seen anything yet.
Thank you, Peter!
I agree - I think we're just getting started here 🚀
Thanks. Nice experiment, or at least a part one of it. I'd love to see a real experiment: the same idea (something really simple) implemented in NoCode vs code and released into the wild (where the true stress tests are): time to build and rebuild, costs, maintenance... I hope that for small simple projects the results of the experimentation could be similar hopefully.
I was actually considering this - a full SaaS-to-market only using No Code, including No Code tools for signup, email drips, etc...
It would be a bit more comprehensive than this one, but I think it would be super interesting to try.
And then include a full cost breakdown in the video as well 🚀
Very helpful man! Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Kyle!
Happy it was valuable to you 🙌
Interesting stuff! Thanks for sharing.
I love NoCode and saw your video when it first launched and right away jumped head first and learned bubble and just about to finish my nocode saas startup. (deal management+CRM) for Realtors and mortgage brokers 🙏
indeed saas products are talk of town helping businesses grow at a fast pace. We being in IT sector have myself seen the benefit of having a SaaS product in a business
Really nice work on the videos! Probably not the easiest to figure out on your own without a background in coding but it does show what is possible with nocode.
Well done @SimonHoiberg. I use and blog about this stack a lot and love it for these use cases, great see others championing it too!
Very cool.
I would love for you to try https://versoly.com/ it has the ability to create tables so might be very useful for what you're building.
You can also leverage the Tailwind ecosystem in a no-code way. Copy elements into Versoly and edit them in the UI.
Awesome! I'll totally check it out.
Thanks! Look forward to your feedback. (i'm always about in live chat)
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I'm so pleased to hear that 🙏
That was exactly the point of the post / video - it's rather fast-paced, and might not be the best "build-along" tutorial, but the point was exactly to demonstrate the setup and show the principles.
I hope you'll build something awesome!