SaaS, or Software as a Service, has become one of the fastest-growing models in today's software world. Instead of purchasing expensive hardware or licenses, businesses are now managing their processes with cloud-based services. However, developing a SaaS product requires much more than just building a typical web application. Without proper planning, even the best ideas can turn into platforms that lack scalability, are weakly secure, and offer poor user experience.
For boutique software companies, the first step in making a difference in SaaS projects is architectural planning. The infrastructure choices made at the beginning of development determine the future of the project. While monolithic structures may seem simple at first, they can lead to performance issues as the number of users increases. Therefore, microservices-based architecture offers a more sustainable structure in the long term.
Another common mistake is starting the development process without adequately analyzing user needs.. SaaS products typically appeal to a very broad range of user profiles. Therefore, it's important to start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) approach, developing only core functionality initially. New features should be added as the system matures, informed by user feedback. Otherwise, complex and unused modules will prolong development time and increase costs.
Data security and access control are among the most critical issues in SaaS software . Each user's data must be kept separate, and authentication processes (OAuth2, JWT, SSO, etc.) must be securely managed. Furthermore, offering a SaaS product without backup and disaster recovery plans poses serious risks to the brand. Compliance with data protection standards such as GDPR or KVKK has also become mandatory in international markets.
Another common mistake is neglecting a scalability plan. SaaS systems are often built with the goal of rapid growth. However, with increasing user loads, database management, cache systems, and server resources can become insufficient. Therefore, the infrastructure must be designed for horizontal scaling from the outset. Automatic scaling solutions offered by cloud service providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) offer a significant advantage in this regard.
User experience (UX/UI) is also a determining factor in SaaS success. Complicated menus, difficult-to-understand screens, or slow-loading pages can lead to user churn. The simpler and more intuitive the interface in SaaS systems, the higher user satisfaction. Mobile compatibility, in particular, is no longer a choice but a necessity.
Additionally, pricing is a strategic decision in the SaaS development process . Membership-based pricing, user-based pricing, or usage-based pricing each offer different advantages. A poor pricing strategy can leave even a good product behind the competition. Therefore, setting a price without conducting market research is a serious mistake.
