Building a SaaS business has become easier and more achievable thanks to no-code platforms, which remove technical barriers for many solo founders. However, many still struggle to find a good idea for their SaaS.
The truth is that coming up with a great SaaS idea isn’t just about sudden inspiration. It requires research, validation, and a clear understanding of market needs. Many founders fail not because they can’t build a product, but because they didn’t find an idea with real demand or a sustainable business model.
In this article, I’ll share some proven methods to uncover profitable, niche SaaS ideas that can set you on the path to success.
Let’s get started.
Identify Problems You Face Personally
One of the easiest way to find a good niche SaaS idea is by looking at the problems you face in your daily life or work. This is often referred to as "scratching your own itch." The logic here is simple: if you’re struggling with a problem, there’s a good chance that others are too.
Take the example of Buffer, a SaaS tool that simplifies social media scheduling. Its co-founder, Joel Gascoigne, created Buffer after realizing how much time he was spending manually scheduling social media posts. By solving his own problem, he realized he could also help other marketers automate this process. Today, Buffer serves thousands of customers worldwide.
Listen to Others’ Complaints
If you can’t immediately identify a problem in your own life, listening to others is a great place to start. People love to vent about their frustrations, whether it's bad software, outdated processes, or complicated workflows.
Product review sites like G2 or Capterra are also excellent resources. Look for recurring complaints about current software and identify pain points people are experiencing.
For example, many developers find platforms like Vercel becoming increasingly expensive as their applications scale. Coolify addresses this by offering a self-hostable platform that provides full control and flexibility over deployments, making it ideal for privacy-focused and cost-conscious users.
Improve an Existing Product
You don’t always need to start from scratch. Sometimes, improving an existing product can lead to success. Many SaaS tools dominate their markets, but there’s often room for improvement, especially in user experience or pricing.
Consider Trello vs. Notion. While Trello was initially loved for its simplicity in task management, Notion saw an opportunity to build a more flexible, all-in-one workspace. By offering better customization and documentation options, Notion managed to carve out a niche for users wanting more than just a kanban board.
Explore Fast-Growing Niches
Some of the best SaaS ideas come from fast-growing industries or emerging markets. As new industries gain momentum, they often create new problems that need solving. By tapping into these markets early, you can position yourself at the forefront of an exciting new trend.
For example, the rise of remote work has created a huge demand for collaboration and communication tools. While Slack and Zoom dominate the space, niche tools have also emerged. Remotebase, a SaaS that helps companies hire and manage remote developers, is thriving by targeting the unique needs of companies looking to scale remote teams quickly.
You can validate your idea by checking fast-growing niches on Indie Hackers.
Narrow Down Your Audience
One of the most effective strategies for building a successful SaaS business is to narrow down and focus on a specific audience. Creating a product for a small, well-defined group can help you stand out in a crowded market.
For example, even if a large company is solving problems on a global scale, it doesn’t mean they’re addressing every part of the market. You could offer the same service or build a similar product, but tailor it specifically for a local demographic or niche group.
Take SimplePractice, for example. Instead of creating a general practice management tool, they focused specifically on private practitioners like therapists, counselors, and dietitians. By tailoring their features to meet the specific needs of these professionals—such as scheduling, client notes, and billing—they were able to dominate this niche and build a loyal customer base.
Talk to People in Your Network
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, try using your personal and professional network. Talk to people in different industries and ask about their daily challenges. Often, people outside of tech don’t realize their problems can be solved with software, giving you the chance to introduce a solution.
For example, Vetstoria, a SaaS tool for veterinary appointment scheduling, found its idea by talking to friends in the veterinary field. The industry was underserved, and no one had thought to build a tool specifically for vet clinics. By addressing this need, they were able to develop a SaaS that serves a highly specialized market.
Find a Unique Idea That No One Else is Doing
Try to find unique ideas that no one has built a product for. One great example isPingenerator. It solves a specific problem that no one had considered. It takes a link to an article and creates a pin for it, which is very useful for those who want to increase traffic from Pinterest.
Another great example isTypeform, which changed how online forms are made. Before Typeform, forms were basic and boring. Typeform made them interactive and engaging, improving user experience and increasing completion rates. It solved a problem many didn't realize they had: the need for better, user-friendly forms.
That’s a Wrap
The above are proven tips for finding an idea for your SaaS. Once you’ve found your idea, it’s crucial to validate it and build your MVP. With no-code platforms like Bubble, you can turn your idea into a fully functional app without writing a single line of code.
If you’re using Bubble to build your MVP, be sure to check out our library of 700+ plugins to enhance and extend your app's functionality. From payment gateways to user authentication, these plugins can save you time and effort.
Not sure where to start or don’t have the time to learn Bubble? Reach out to us. At Zeroqode, we’ve fast-tracked hundreds of projects. Check out our portfolio of 300+ apps built on Bubble, and let us help you bring your SaaS vision to life—faster and more affordably than traditional development.
Pratik is a technical writer passionate about AI, no-code tools, and the SaaS ecosystem. He enjoys building creative side projects and sharing his insights to help others explore the limitless possibilities of no-code and AI.