5 Steps to Turn Your Custom App into a Revenue-Generating SaaS Platform
When a business faces a problem that existing software solutions can’t address, the natural next step is to build custom software tailored to its needs. But what many businesses don’t realize is that their custom solution can go beyond solving internal problems—it can evolve into a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform and generate additional revenue.
Here’s how this process works.
Step 1: Build Custom Software to Solve a Specific Problem
It starts when you realize no existing software solution fits your needs. At this point, you might partner with a development team to create a custom solution that precisely addresses your business challenges.
Once your software is up and running, it effectively solves your problem by improving workflows, increasing efficiency, or addressing specific pain points unique to your business.
Step 2: Recognize the Broader Market Potential
Now that your business is benefiting from the software, ask yourself: Are other businesses struggling with the same issue?
If the answer is yes, then you’ve discovered a potential market for your solution. Other companies might be looking for a similar fix but haven’t found the right tool. This is where you can take your custom software and turn it into a SaaS product that meets the needs of other businesses.
Step 3: Transform Your Custom Solution into a SaaS
To evolve your custom software into a SaaS product, you’ll need to make a few adjustments. While your solution is perfect for your business, others might need it to be more flexible or have different features. You’ll want to refine the user experience and make sure it can be easily adopted by companies with varying needs.
Additionally, SaaS platforms are cloud-based, which allows multiple users to access them simultaneously. You’ll need to ensure your software can scale to handle more users as your customer base grows.
Step 4: Launch and Market Your SaaS
Once your SaaS is ready, you can begin offering it to other businesses. A subscription-based model is ideal for SaaS, where users pay a recurring fee to access your software. This creates a steady stream of revenue over time.
To successfully launch your SaaS, focus on marketing it to the right audience. Emphasize how your solution addresses common industry challenges, and consider offering free trials or demos to attract new users.
Step 5: Recoup Your Investment and Generate Revenue
By turning your custom software into a SaaS product, you’ll not only solve your own problem but also create a new revenue stream. As more businesses subscribe to your SaaS, you’ll eventually recoup your initial development costs and begin generating consistent income from your software.
The Bottom Line
Evolving your custom software into a SaaS product is a smart strategy to turn a solution that works for your business into one that benefits others—and generates revenue. With the right approach, your custom software can transform into a scalable, profitable product that helps other businesses while adding a new income stream for your own.
