Why I’m Building a SaaS (Even as a Solo Developer)
Have you ever looked at a tool like Notion or Canva and thought, “Wait, someone actually made this from scratch… and now millions of people use it?”
That thought hit me one evening while I was watching a YouTube video about solo developers building small SaaS tools that generate thousands of dollars in monthly income. It wasn’t some huge company — just one person, a laptop, and an idea.
I’ve always liked the idea of creating something once and letting it grow over time. But for a long time, I thought building software was only for big startups or people with a team.
Now? I’m starting to believe that even a solo developer like me can create something meaningful — and maybe even profitable — through SaaS.
💡 So, What Exactly Is SaaS?
SaaS stands for Software as a Service. Instead of downloading and installing software, you just open your browser and start using it. No setup, no manual updates — everything runs online.
Think of tools like Notion, Canva, Google Docs, ChatGPT — they all live in your browser. You pay (or use a free version), and you get instant access.
Behind the scenes, someone had to build that tool, deploy it to the internet, and make sure it works smoothly for users around the world.
That’s the beauty of SaaS. You build it once, and people can use it from anywhere — anytime.
🚀 Why I Want to Build My Own SaaS
At first, I was just curious. Could I really build a tool that other people find useful? Could I actually launch something on my own?
But the more I learned, the clearer my goal became: I wanted to build a money pipeline — a system that could generate income automatically, once it was set up.
Not a one-time project. Not freelance work where I have to trade hours for money. I wanted something that keeps working even when I’m not.
That’s the real beauty of SaaS: if you build something people truly need, and set up the right systems (hosting, billing, onboarding, feedback), it can keep running — and earning — on its own.
It’s not easy. But it’s possible. And that’s what makes it exciting.
💼 Real SaaS Products Earning Millions — Started Small
Let’s be honest — when we hear “$10 million in revenue,” we immediately think of big tech, offices full of developers, and investors writing checks. But what if I told you that some of the most profitable SaaS products out there were started by just one or two people?
That was a game-changer for me. It meant I didn’t need to wait until I had a team, or funding, or the perfect idea. I just needed to start.
Here are real-world examples of SaaS companies that began small — some even as solo projects — and went on to generate millions in annual revenue:
| Product | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|
| ConvertKit | $25M/year |
| dealpad | $20M/year |
| Tithely | $15.6M/year |
| TextMagic | $14.4M/year |
| DesignNBuy INC | $12M/year |
| Dorik | $11.9M/year |
| BrightLocal | $10.2M/year |
| Global Call Forwarding | $10.1M/year |
| Regpack | $10M/year |
| Inflectra | $9.96M/year |
| Metricool | $9M/year |
These aren’t just numbers — they’re proof that focused, bootstrapped software can succeed. Many of these founders didn’t build flashy apps. They solved specific problems. They picked narrow niches, listened to users, and steadily improved their product over time.
Take Dorik, for example — a simple website builder for non-coders. Instead of trying to beat Webflow or Wix, they focused on ease and simplicity. And that clarity paid off: Dorik is now earning over $11M/year.
Or look at ConvertKit, which started as a side project for bloggers who needed a better way to manage email subscribers. Today, it's used by thousands of creators — and pulls in $25M annually.
What inspires me the most is that none of these tools were perfect at launch. They were launched early, tested in public, and shaped by user feedback. Most of them followed a simple pattern:
- Start with a pain point
- Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Get early feedback — improve fast
- Stay consistent — keep shipping
That’s the mindset I want to carry into my own SaaS journey. Not aiming for perfection, not chasing investors — but creating something small, useful, and sustainable.
💡 What I’ve Learned So Far
Starting a SaaS isn’t about building the next billion-dollar unicorn. For me, it’s about learning how systems work, how to build products that solve real problems, and how to create something that could generate income even when I sleep.
I’ve realized that it’s not about being perfect — it’s about being consistent. Starting small. Shipping. Listening. Improving.
And most importantly: it’s about believing that even solo developers can build something meaningful — one feature at a time.
💡 One More Idea Before You Go
Lately, I’ve also been exploring another creative business model — using AI tools to create digital artwork and selling it on platforms like Etsy. It’s a surprisingly profitable space with low upfront costs and a lot of creative freedom.
Next time, I’ll take a closer look at how combining AI art with e-commerce can become a real source of income — and how you can do it too.
Stay tuned! 👀
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