This is how you should build your SaaS MVP

Building a SaaS MVP can be tricky. I’ve seen many people, including my clients, make the same mistake: they overcomplicate things. 

They pour time and money into features that don’t belong in an MVP, which ends up reducing their unique selling proposition (USP) of their SaaS.

In today’s article, I want to help you avoid those common mistakes. Let’s dive into some crucial points to keep in mind when you’re building your MVP. These tips will help you get your product to market faster and validate your idea effectively.

Jumping on MVP without checking the market 

One of the most common mistakes I’ve seen is when people rush into building their SaaS without fully thinking through the technical challenges. Often, you might identify a problem at work or in your company and think, “Hey, I can solve this with a SaaS product!” That’s great—but it’s just the beginning.

The real issue arises when the technology needed to build your SaaS is more challenging than expected. Maybe it requires some serious R&D, or the features you want depend on costly external APIs. Jumping straight into developing an MVP in these cases can lead to wasted time and resources.

So, what’s the solution? 

For complex SaaS projects, start by building a Proof of Concept (POC). Focus solely on the backend—no need for a fancy UI or complex features yet. Even a simple command-line interface (CMD) that shows the desired output is enough at this stage.

If the POC works, you’re in good shape to turn that into an API and build your MVP around it. But if it doesn’t, you’ve saved yourself the headache of discovering backend issues after you’ve already invested in frontend development, authentication, and authorization.

If your SaaS backend isn’t too complex and you’re confident it can be built without major hurdles, you might skip the POC. But before you make that call, it’s a good idea to consult with a product strategy services consultant who can provide guidance.

Not focusing on USP

A common mistake I see is when people get caught up in building out features like payments, subscriptions, admin panels, and user management in their MVP. 

The truth is, these features are often unnecessary at this stage—you can manage them manually.

When it comes to the frontend, there’s no need to hire a UI/UX designer and spend time creating wireframes in Figma or Adobe XD. 

You can simply buy a ready-made template from MUI and use it to get your SaaS up and running.

It’s also easy to fall into the trap of looking at competitors and feeling like you need to include all their features in your MVP. This approach can lead to burnout among your development team and drain your budget and time.

Instead, focus on the core USP of your SaaS—the unique solution that sets you apart from others. 

Build your MVP around this, and don’t get distracted by all the extra features that can come later.

Time 

Your SaaS MVP should ideally be ready in 30–40 days. 

If you run into some bugs or need to sort out business details, you can stretch it to 50–60 days. 

But if it’s taking you four months to build an MVP, that’s a big red flag. It likely means your SaaS development is off track, and success might be slipping out of reach.

Spending Money Unnecessary

When building a SaaS MVP, you don’t need a complex architecture on big cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP. 

You can easily use platforms like Render, Heroku, or Vercel to host your application’s backend and frontend.

If you still prefer using cloud services, consider applying for their startup programs. These often provide enough credits to build and test your MVP with your focus group without burning a hole in your pocket.

Another thing to watch out for is the Scope of Work with your development team. 

If you don’t check it carefully, you might end up facing unexpected charges for features. Always audit what you’re signing up for before you start.

Overestimating your SaaS price

Another common mistake I see is undervaluing your SaaS just to entice users or compete with others. 

While it might seem like a good idea initially, it can hurt you in the long run. You should always price your product at a reasonable rate that reflects its value.

If you start too low, you won’t make any profits, and later, when you try to raise your prices, you risk losing users. It’s important to get your pricing right from the start.

Need SaaS MVP Consultant??

If you’re finding it tough to build your SaaS MVP and could use some expert advice, a SaaS MVP consultant might be just what you need. 

Whether you're trying to nail down your core features, manage development timelines, or make sure your product is ready for the market, a consultant can offer the strategic insight to guide you.

At CodeSuite, we understand the complexities involved in defining core features, managing tight development timelines, and ensuring your product is market-ready. Our expert consultants bring strategic insights that help you refine your USP, simplify your development process, and avoid common pitfalls. 

Don’t leave your SaaS success to chance—let CodeSuite help you build a strong product foundation and launch your MVP confidently.

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