Starting to build a SaaS product for the first time. Any tips?
Hey guys,
This is my first post here. As the title says, I'm planning to start building a web application for an idea I've had for a while. It's my first time doing something like this and I would just like some tips from you guys so I can avoid as much common mistakes as possible. Thank you.
Hi Vicrost,
Welcome! And wow -what a topic for a 1st post 😄
This is a big topic, and right in my wheelhouse. I'm thinking of launching a toolkit/framework on how to build a quality SaaS product using efficient and effective practices, tools, techniques. Hit me up if you are interested but in the meantime, what specifically are you looking for tips on?
Thanks for replying. I am in my last year of highschool atm. Web development is a hobby that I picked up around 2 years ago and I have experience with building websites using Django as backend and Html, Css, Js on the frontend. I'm also familiar with wordpress and a few css frameworks such as Bootstrap.
But essentially, I'm looking for any type of tips that could help me on the path to launch this project successfully. It's my first time doing anything like it, so I want to make sure I start as best as I can. I have the idea already and atm, I am basically trying to get an overview of the project ( structure, what I'll need to learn to achieve some features, etc) before I actually getting started on coding.
Vicrost, I assume what you mean by project structure is the architecture of you app?
If so, I'd start off simple, with a back end and front end to break into layers but your 1st consideration thereafter should probably be hosting. Where are you going to host this app?
2nd, are you going to need a database to persist data? If so, where are you going to host this database?
Then, are you going to require a members area and if so have you thought about secure login & authentication for your users?
I'm not trying to scare you off, but there really are so many variables and therefore so many things to consider. What I mentioned above is just a few things off the top of my head and I'd be happy to discuss this further with you if you wish?
Yah so it is essentially a Saas Web app. It will require a database and user authentication and I'll be using Django for both of those.
So far in all my django projects, I've used pythonanywhere to host my websites. However, someone on reddit recommended me to try using docker and so I'll look into using that for this project.
I have also decided to learn and use HTMX on the front end to help achieve some of the real time features that the Web app will need.
Everytime your backend 500s you should know about it. Send yourself an email or write into some dashboard that you look at. Helps a lot for tracking down bugs.
Thnx. Will keep that in mind.