How to Start a SaaS Business

“Why sell once when you can bill monthly?”

Want a business model that brings in income month after month — even while you take that Tuesday afternoon nap you totally earned?

Let me introduce you to the digital cash cow: SaaS, short for Software as a Service.

Whether you build your own tool or white-label an existing one, SaaS lets you offer powerful software solutions that customers pay for on a monthly or yearly basis. Think of it like renting out your software instead of selling it once — and the best part is, it scales like crazy.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could create a tool people actually use every day,” or “What if I could own the tools I’m already promoting as an affiliate?” — this is your Smart Start.

SaaS is a software product that users can access online through a subscription. Instead of downloading it or buying it once, they log in, use the tool, and pay monthly (or yearly) for access.

You can either:

• Build your own SaaS (custom development or no-code builders)

• White-label an existing platform (rebrand someone else’s software as your own)

Popular SaaS examples include:

• Email marketing platforms (like ConvertKit or Mailchimp)

• Funnel and website builders (like Systeme.io or ClickFunnels)

• AI tools, chatbots, analytics dashboards, CRMs, and more

This model is responsible for some of the biggest online fortunes — and it’s more accessible than ever before.

• ✔ Recurring income – Predictable, compounding revenue stream

• ✔ Scales without your time – One dashboard can serve 1 or

• 10,000 users

• ✔ Sell once, get paid monthly – The dream, right?

• ✔ Automate delivery – No shipping, no physical product, no inventory

• ✔ Perfect for service providers or digital entrepreneurs looking to add leverage

Here’s your SaaS startup toolkit, whether you’re building from scratch or white-labeling someone else’s genius.

You’ll need to charge your customers and manage renewals without losing your mind.

• Stripe – Recurring subscriptions, secure and global

• PayKickstart or Paddle – Subscription-focused checkouts with dunning tools

• ThriveCart Learn+ – Good if you combine SaaS with digital products or courses

Great SaaS experiences start with seamless logins and training.

• Intercom – In-app chat + onboarding flows

• HelpScout or Zendesk – Support desk and knowledge base

• Loom – Record onboarding tutorials and walkthroughs

• Notion or Google Docs – Quick-start guides and video libraries

You’ll need to sell your software — don’t just build it and hope they come.

• Systeme.io – Sales funnels, lead capture, email marketing — all in one

• ClickFunnels – Popular for high-ticket or webinar-style SaaS sales

• WordPress + Thrive Themes – If you want blog-based inbound marketing

• ConvertBox or HelloBar – Add opt-in forms and popups to your site

Keep your eye on the metrics that matter.

• ChartMogul or Baremetrics – MRR, churn, and revenue insights

• Google Analytics – Track traffic, user flows, and conversions

• Hotjar – Heatmaps and behavior analysis to improve UX

Whether you’re starting lean or going full-tech, here’s your Smart Start roadmap:

Step 1: Find a Painful Problem

All great software solves a problem. Ask:

“What’s something people hate doing manually?”

“What do I wish I had a tool for when I was doing XYZ?”

Start with a niche — real estate agents, coaches, course creators, dog groomers — then find their bottleneck.

Step 2: Choose Your Build Path

• Want to go fast? White-label an existing platform (GoHighLevel, Systeme.io, etc.)

• Want to build your own? Use no-code tools like Bubble, Outseta, or hire a dev team.

Step 3: Define Your Offer

What does your software do? What problem does it solve?

Now package it with irresistible benefits:

• Feature list + time savings + outcome = SaaS that sells

Step 4: Set Up Your Tech Stack

• ✔ Build your user dashboard

• ✔ Set up payment + access

• ✔ Record walkthrough videos

• ✔ Create a “Getting Started” guide

• 
  Your first users need to feel confident right away.

Step 5: Create Your Sales Funnel

Use Systeme.io to build your lead magnet, sales page, onboarding emails, and affiliate program (if you’re going that route).

Step 6: Offer a Beta Test or Free Trial

• ✔ Get feedback.

• ✔ Collect testimonials.

• ✔ Fix what breaks.

• This is gold before a full launch.

Step 7: Launch + Promote

Run a webinar, send emails, post on socials, create case studies, or build a comparison page (“Why OurTool Beats [Competitor]”).

Step 8: Focus on Retention

It’s easier (and way cheaper) to keep users than chase new ones. Use onboarding sequences, check-ins, and milestone emails to keep them engaged.

SaaS is the holy grail of online business for a reason — it’s predictable, scalable, and sellable.

It might take a little more upfront effort or tech know-how, but the reward?

✅ Long-term income
✅ High customer lifetime value
✅ And a business that grows while you build your next idea

This is your Smart Start for software — whether you're building your own empire or rebranding someone else’s rocket ship.

Visit the Smart Start Tools Section to access white-label platforms, no-code builders, onboarding templates, and marketing funnels to start your SaaS journey today.

Download a free copy of the Smart Start Resource: SaaS White-Label Platform Comparison Guide Below.