10 SaaS Business Ideas You Can Turn Into Money in 2022
The business model itself is much more advantageous as you can easily sell, scale, and adapt.
So it's a great time to get on board and start a SaaS business with a great idea.
But as it is for most people, you might be short on "great product ideas", which is what I'm going to help you with throughout this blog.
You'll find a few product ideas for inspiration, and a solid 3-step method to come up with your own innovative ideas on the spot.
Let's start with the definition:
What is a SaaS?
SaaS, the abbreviation of software as a service, is a subscription-based software business model that heavily relies on cloud hosting for distribution. It allows users to access data or tools on-demand, through a web-based software platform.
▶ Scalability: Since it runs on an on-demand principle through cloud computing, it can instantly be accessed through many devices without installation, making it easier to get new users at mass.
▶ Cost-effective: Since it runs on monthly or annual subscriptions, it's easier for potential customers to adopt without making large payments upfront. And since a portion of SaaS tools offers prices based on usage, it makes even more sense to go with SaaS rather than other business models.
▶ Fast Time-to-Value: As SaaS businesses are instantly accessible, generating value from their products is much easier and quicker compared to software products that require lengthy installations on each device.
10 Best SaaS Product Ideas and Examples
You should probably move to the next section of the article and find an innovative idea for yourself, but these might be interesting for you too.
After a bit of research, here are the fastest-growing parts of the SaaS industry you can easily compete in:
1- No-code Development
Do you know how to code?
More than 99% of people on earth don't, and if you're one of these people, move on to the second idea.
But if you know how to code, why not help make the lives of the majority easier?
No-code is an upcoming trend that allows non-technical people to get tasks that would normally require coding done.
So if you know how to code, you can find just one task that non-coding people would love to be able to do, like developing software or creating anything virtual; and create a platform that they can use to do it without any coding.
2- Automations
Everybody hates doing repetitive tasks over and over again, like entering data or sending emails to customers.
Creating an automation software that helps people be more productive can be a highlighted viable product in no time.
3- Calendars
The calendar of Google is okay at best.
A calendar that can help people get more out of their days, or teams synch in better can help tons of people I know, to start with.
4- Task Management / Note-Taking
Another one for personal productivity; task management and note-taking.
Or combining them both like a lot of platforms do nowadays, working like virtual assistants.
Creating an innovative app for tracking day-to-day to-dos with a strong emphasis on users' needs can be difficult to pull off, but the return would definitely be amazing as the product would be used every day by each user.
5- Metric/KPI Tracking and Dashboard Building
There are many platforms that already do this, but most of them aren't much suitable for non-technical people.
A dashboard-building software that helps you create personal or team dashboards would satisfy many users if it had a ton of templates and pre-built components for users to just pick from.
And also, integrations to all the major data platforms, of course.
6- Reminders
This can sound the same as the task management one, but it doesn't have to be the same app for both tasks.
A micro-saas that sends you the reminders you need on different platforms can easily be developed through Zapier and Airtable, without any coding even.
7- Social Media Management/Analysis
Companies usually have multiple social media accounts on different platforms, and they usually have a hard time growing these.
A social media management software with the features to help them understand what they need to do better, especially if combined with the power of AI to generate powerful insights, would be a hit.
8- Basic CRMs
There are hundreds of Contact Relationship Management tools out there.
And most of them are for businesses and sales teams.
Teams or companies are not the only ones that need CRMs in 2022, every business does, even if it's a one-man operation.
So why not create a CRM for these individuals that just focuses on the CRM part?
9- Lighter SEO and SEM Platforms
There are a few SEO platforms that get all the spotlight with the most advanced features for SEO agencies and digital marketing teams.
But what about the small businesses that want to get into the content marketing or search advertising game without the assistance of agencies and freelancers?
An app that provides small businesses with a basic framework to make their marketing campaigns more search engine friendly and tap into organic channels could help them save money, and get you rich at the same time.
10- Content Management/Creation
Content creators are always looking for easier-to-use content management tools that can help them create content from scratch or from their existing content.
Any content goes, for example:
- blogs from scratch
- blogs from podcasts
- podcasts from blogs
- infographics from blogs
- videos from infographics
and numerous other variations.
It's as simple as finding a variation that has little competition and big potential.
Coming Up with an Original SaaS Idea That Will Work
You don't have to be a serial entrepreneur to start a successful business after trying out different ideas.
You can invest a bit of time into finding the perfect idea and set yourself up for success early on.
Here are the three steps I suggest you take to come up with a list of business ideas that you can choose from yourself:
1- Use Your Expertise
What is something you can talk about for hours, and actually help beginners in that field?
Usually, the more you know about a subject, the more you can understand, guide, and sell to that audience. And wouldn't it be great to start a business out of a hobby or a subject you're heavily invested in?
Start by making a list of subjects you know a lot about.
For example, if you are a fitness geek, you can create a mobile app for customized workout plans.
If you're great at candle-making, you can create a monthly subscription delivery of custom candles with personalized scents, etc.
2- Tap into the Untapped
If you're just starting out, it's best to find something that is innovative.
Competing with big businesses with no differentiation point can be tough, and growing in these industries can be hard. Instead, find a pain point or an idea that no one or a very few businesses have tapped into.
You can also come up with ideas from your personal experience; if you're having a problem that an app can help with, but there is no app for that, how about you create it for people like you?
3- Work Micro
Just focus on one very specific problem at first.
Starting a micro-saas can be extremely advantageous because you need to do very little development and have a very niche market you can focus on.
That means you can focus all your effort into selling to a specific group of people with common pain points, and can easily run the business on your own so no need to worry about scaling up.
If you want, later on, you have the option to adjust or extend your micro-saas for a wider audience with updated messaging.
Execution is as Important as Ideation
A great idea alone can't win.
Just like a well-executed business plan with a bad idea can't work.
In order to achieve success in the shortest time possible, you need a great idea and a well-executed business plan working together towards profits.
Here's our 9-step checklist to starting your SaaS business the right way.
