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The Micro-SaaS checklist I wish I had before my first launch (+ free webinar)

Webinar details and registration link here »

I've been thinking a lot about why some Micro-SaaS ideas take off while others stall—and it usually comes down to three mistakes founders make early:

  1. The scope is too big to describe in one sentence.
    "CRM for insurance" --> stalls.
    "Auto-generate renewal reminder emails from policy exports for independent agencies" --> ships.
    If you can't define your user AND their job-to-be-done in two sentences, you are probably building a platform when you should be building a workflow.

  2. "Shipped" becomes the finish line instead of the starting line.
    Demo ≠ product. The gap between "it works on my laptop" and "strangers can pay me and trust me with their data" is where most solo founders get stuck. Auth, error tracking, backups, pricing that actually matches your cost structure, none of it is glamorous, but it's the difference between a side project and a business.

  3. Validation means building less, not skipping validation.
    5-15 problem interviews. A landing page with a waitlist. A concierge version you deliver manually. A paid pilot with rough edges. All of these beat 3 months of heads-down building toward a launch that gets crickets.

The good news: 2026 is arguably the best time ever to build Micro-SaaS. AI-coding tools are compressing build cycles, hybrid pricing models are becoming normal, and distribution through integrations and SEO is more accessible than ever for small teams.

The bad news: expectations are higher too. Customers want polished onboarding, clear pricing, and real security - even from solo founders.

I'm hosting a free webinar on Feb 11th at 9am PT called "Micro-SaaS: From Idea to Production" where I'm walking through the full path:

  • How to filter ideas (small enough to ship, valuable enough to charge for)
  • The "one workflow" MVP framework
  • A production-readiness checklist you can implement in days
  • Go-to-market that actually works for small teams (SEO, integrations, owned media)

If you're planning a launch, refining an idea, or stuck somewhere between prototype and production, this is for you.

More details and registration link here »

Would love to see some of you there. Happy to answer questions in the comments too.

on January 28, 2026
  1. 1

    The "scope it down to one sentence" advice is spot on. I spent way too long trying to describe my tool in a way that covered every possible use case. The moment I forced myself into one sentence — for one specific person with one specific problem — everything clicked. The landing page got clearer, the messaging got sharper, and I actually knew who to talk to.

    The gap between "works on my laptop" and "strangers trust it with their data" is real too. Auth, error handling, GDPR — it's the unsexy work that separates a weekend project from something people will pay for. Wish I'd budgeted more time for that upfront.

  2. 1

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  3. 1

    Love it! I have built a knowledge base from actual founder stories (successful, failed and still unsure) have extracted principles for each phase. I think there is a lot of informatoin out there but very scattered and time consuming. We need a better approach. Will check it out

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