SaaS is an abbreviation for “software as a service” in the tech world. Previously, software was often purchased with a one-time licencing key and cost. Although this method had its benefits, it also necessitated annual subscription fees from paying clients. Customers were kept in the loop this way, encouraging them to continue purchasing updates. SaaS joined this industry as a novel possibility. By subscribing to a service that offers software as a service, or SaaS, you may have access to the most recent version of the programme on any device you want for a fixed price per month or year.
The rapid development of the SaaS market suggests that this model may outshine the more established enterprise software market. According to Gartner, consumer expenditure on SaaS will hit $171 billion by 2022. SumatoSoft has studied and presented valuable facts to help you understand the rising popularity of micro SaaS and how it differs from traditional SaaS applications. We will also discuss several out-of-the-ordinary cases, including their functions in micro SaaS models and their goals.
What is micro SaaS?
Micro-SaaS was first proposed by Tyler Tringas, whose company store mapper is a prime example of real-world use of the micro-SaaS business model. As its name implies, micro SaaS is a specialised service that operates on a smaller scale. Micro SaaS is managed by one person or a small team of collaborators and serves a minimal number of users; it is often self-funded.
Micro-SaaS was created to describe solutions to problems that call for minimal effort. They cater to niche markets and require fewer initial and ongoing investments. These enterprises generate high profits while incurring minimal costs and operational risk.
Benefits of micro-SaaS
Both service providers and their customers can gain from the rise of micro-businesses like micro-saas. Let’s look into the advantages of using micro-saas.
Speed
A micro-SaaS takes less time and money to develop because of its limited yet specific features. It is creating a minimum viable product (MVP) in significantly less time than a week is possible.
Upgrades
Micro-SaaS is fantastic for updates. Customers using out-of-date software will be pleasing for you. Upgrades to micro-SaaS can be performed invisibly within the browser.
Ownership
You have 100% ownership of the company, with no other parties having any say. You’re in charge, and you get to call the shots. A micro-SaaS might be your ticket out of the 9-to-5 grind quickly.
Location independence
You may do this sort of business from any location. All materials are hosted in the cloud and may be accessed from any internet-connected device. Since the company is functioning without you, there is no pressing need for your presence.
Predictable recurring revenue
A recurring income model is what the subscription business model is all about. When profits are stable, you may reduce the time you devote to your product without affecting its ability to generate the same amount or even more.
Support
Narrow markets make customer service more manageable. Take care of issues singly or with a small group of people.
Best micro SaaS business ideas
1. Multi-vendor booking system
If you know anything about running a small business, you know that maintaining organised is crucial. A reservation system is a fantastic opportunity for a mini SaaS. It helps manage reservations and appointments and makes it easier for consumers to set up meetings with you.
PayPal and Stripe integration allows for safer financial transactions. With a multi-vendor booking system, you can provide your consumers with many options since you may add as many different services as you like. Working hours and break durations can be customised for each day of the week.
2. Blockchain as a service
This is one of the most intriguing concepts for a micro-SaaS. Businesses may try out blockchain technology with fewer risks thanks to the blockchain as a service (BaaS). Several companies offer BaaS, including Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
3. Predictive analytics as a service
Micro-SaaS companies may also find predictive analytics a fruitful field of exploration. Businesses may benefit from leveraging data to forecast future events with predictive analytics as a service (PAAS). PAAS vendors provide services like client segmentation and churn analysis.
4. Workforce management
Popular cloud-based software for managing human resource planning, tracking, and allocation. By 2023, experts expect that cloud deployment will account for at least 95% of all new labour management software sales.
5. Billing and invoicing
Invoice software that allows for easy customisation and PDF/emailing to clients. Automated, reoccurring billing will save your clients time and effort. Combined with time monitoring, it helps businesses keep better tabs on how productive their employees are.
6. Email management
Businesses are turning to email management software to manage their electronic correspondence better and keep their partners and customers up to date. You can help your email crew be more productive by using the data they gather through monitoring and analytics.
7. Video/photo editing services
The popularity of social media and online shopping has increased the demand for media editing programmes. Making a powerful editing tool that meets the needs of social media and online marketers is a viable option.
8. Human resource management (HRM)
Software like this helps businesses monitor, organise, and prepare for their distributed staff. By 2023, it is predicted that SaaS will handle around 90% of labour management. Such management applications are desperately needed.
9. Content management
The amount of people who blog and use social media has increased dramatically in recent years. Because of this, having content management software is crucial. There will be greater interest in software as a service (SaaS) that can produce and manage content with sophisticated features like auto-posting and management.
10. Learning management system (LRM)
In today’s connected society, this has enormous potential. There will be a significant need in the future for online lectures and study materials that teach young people and the elderly the fundamentals of professional and personal life. Time to launch a software as a service (SaaS) platform for the pedagogical sector.
11. Survey compilation
There is no better way to propel a company forward than via regular customer surveys and comments. However, it may get overwhelming to keep track of everything when many items accumulate. Software as a service (SaaS) solution has capabilities that can identify crucial comments and combine them with similar ones. Time is conserved and practical answers are provided.
12. Cookery & recipe software
During the lockdown, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves in the kitchen. Popular meals are being shown live, and chefs give out their recipes. Building a product around user-friendly recipe management, storage, and sharing software’s smart.
13. Journaling
Only some enjoy penning accounts of their daily activities. More people than ever before have the luxury of time to contemplate their existence. Using software like Punkt, which utilises a novel one-sentence format, journaling your ideas is a breeze.
14. Learning for employees
Inspire your workforce to realise the full potential of your company. Worker productivity may be maximised even while they are stuck in the office thanks to a remote learning programme that provides them with productive binge-worthy material. This method of “micro-learning” is both interesting and efficient.
15. SaaS-based grocery service
More and more individuals are making their weekly grocery purchases online. There has been a recent uptick in demand for grocery delivery applications. The implementation of a SaaS-based solution is fast and painless.
16. Training and mentoring
Both kids and adults can benefit from the pre-made lessons available in training applications. Increasing numbers of individuals are enrolling in online courses to get cutting-edge knowledge and advance professionally and personally. If you have teaching experience, you may make a living instructing students worldwide.
17. Analytics solution
With Web Analytics software, businesses can monitor and examine user behaviour on their websites. More leads are turned into paying customers, and more money is made for your client, thanks to the data gleaned via sophisticated analytics.
18. Content management system
Create stunning, search engine-optimised material with ease with a content management system. Creating the final product is a group effort involving those responsible for the content, design, and development.
19. KPI tracking
Data analytics expertise might be leveraged to launch a micro-SaaS service that provides KPI monitoring for organisations (KPIs). Business metrics software is built around measuring and monitoring progress toward defined objectives. While there are many options for KPI monitoring systems in the market today, you may fulfil the specific demands of your clients by building your own or modifying an existing one using your knowledge of data analytics.
20. Habit tracker
Due to the growing awareness of the need to maintain healthy routines, micro-services that help users keep tabs on their behaviours have the potential to be very successful. It’s a straightforward method for analysing and controlling one’s routines. This programme allows users to keep a log of their routines, which may then be used for further self-evaluation and analysis. This little aid makes it easier to get where you want to go. Users may find tremendous utility in this SaaS concept.
Five unique micro saas examples
Seeing micro SaaS in action is an excellent way to grasp what it’s all about. Here we will look at several successful micro-SaaS solutions and describe the core concept upon which they are based.
1. Storemapper
It’s an app that helps clients find local businesses by displaying a customised map with all of the locations of those companies. In addition, you may choose between a monthly or annual subscription plan. Each of their goals comes with a no-risk 7-day trial period.
2. Carrd
Carrd is a famous website builder that offers basic, mobile-friendly, and one-page design templates. Users can sign up for Carrd’s freemium packages and gain free access to the service before deciding whether to upgrade to the paid Pro version. Its paid tier grants entry to many extras, including Google Analytics, a plethora of form and widget options, and the ability to create a domain name from scratch.
3. Punkt
More people than ever before have the luxury of reflecting on their past experiences. Punkt is innovative software that facilitates recording thoughts using a simple one-sentence approach.
4. AnyTrack
Any track bridges the gap between the many sales and marketing channels and their intended clients. Anyway is a real-time platform that provides 100% automated data collection; this enables seamless connection with Shopify and Google Analytics.
5. Plausible
It’s a free, open-source alternative to Google Analytics that prioritises enterprise data protection. Reports from Plausible provide a high-level overview of data, negating the need for a specialised dashboard.
Conclusion
A mini SaaS business might be the right fit if you dream of being boss, working when you like, and seeing immediate benefits. If you don’t have significant startup capital, you may get started in one of these enterprises with low risk. You can manage them from any location with an active internet connection. Why delay?
