How to Launch a SaaS Product in 90 Days: Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2025

# How to Launch a SaaS Product in 90 Days: Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2025

## The 90-Day Launch Plan

Most founders spend 6-12 months building before launching. That's too long.

**The Risk:**
- Market changes
- Competitors launch first
- You run out of money
- You build the wrong thing

**The Solution:** Launch in 90 days

**This guide shows you exactly how.**

---

## Prerequisites

Before starting this 90-day plan, you should have:
- [ ] A rough idea of your SaaS product
- [ ] Basic understanding of your target customer
- [ ] Time commitment (20-40 hours/week)
- [ ] Budget: $500-$5,000 (or developer skills)

**Don't need:**
- ❌ Working product
- ❌ Perfect idea
- ❌ Customers
- ❌ Big team

---

## Month 1 (Days 1-30): Validate & Plan

### Week 1: Problem Validation

**Goal:** Confirm the problem is real and painful

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 1-2:** Write down problem hypothesis

   [Target audience] struggles with [problem]
   which causes [negative outcome]

   Example:
   "Freelance designers struggle with client invoicing
   which causes late payments and messy bookkeeping"
   

2. **Day 3-5:** Reddit research
- Find 5 relevant subreddits
- Search problem keywords
- Screenshot 20+ posts about the problem
- Note exact language people use

3. **Day 6-7:** Customer interviews
- Find 10 people with the problem
- 15-minute calls
- Ask about last time they experienced problem
- Ask how they currently solve it

**Deliverable:** Problem validation doc with interview notes

---

### Week 2: Solution Validation

**Goal:** Confirm your solution would solve the problem

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 8-9:** Design solution
- Write 1-page product spec
- List core features (max 5)
- Sketch UI wireframes (pen + paper is fine)

2. **Day 10-12:** Solution interviews
- Show wireframes to same 10 people
- Ask: "Would this solve your problem?"
- Ask: "What's missing?"
- Ask: "Would you pay $X for this?"

3. **Day 13-14:** Analyze feedback
- Did 7+ people show strong interest?
- What features do they care about most?
- What's their willingness to pay?

**Deliverable:** Refined product spec based on feedback

**Decision Point:**
- ✅ 7+ excited about solution → Proceed
- ❌ Less than 7 → Pivot or refine

---

### Week 3: Landing Page & Waitlist

**Goal:** Collect 100+ email signups before building anything

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 15-16:** Write landing page copy
- Headline: Problem + solution in one sentence
- Subheadline: How it works
- 3 key benefits
- How it works (3-step process)
- Pricing preview (ballpark)
- FAQ (5 questions)

2. **Day 17-18:** Design landing page
- Use Carrd ($9) or Framer (free)
- Clean, simple, fast
- Email signup form
- Optional: Payment for early access ($10-25)

3. **Day 19-21:** Drive traffic
- Post in 20+ relevant subreddits/communities
- Tweet about the problem + solution
- Ask interview subjects to share
- Consider small ad test ($50-100)

**Deliverable:** Landing page with 100+ signups

**Decision Point:**
- ✅ 100+ signups → Build MVP
- ❌ Less than 50 → Fix messaging or reconsider idea

---

### Week 4: MVP Planning

**Goal:** Define absolute minimum features for launch

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 22-23:** Feature prioritization
- List all possible features
- Mark each: Must-have / Nice-to-have / Future
- Cut 80% of features ruthlessly

2. **Day 24-25:** Tech stack decision
- Frontend: Next.js (recommended)
- Backend: Next.js API routes OR separate Node.js
- Database: Supabase (PostgreSQL + Auth)
- Styling: Tailwind CSS
- Hosting: Vercel

**See our full tech stack guide:** [Best Tech Stack for Startups 2025](/blog/best-tech-stack-for-startups-2025)

3. **Day 26-28:** Technical architecture
- Database schema (what tables/fields)
- API endpoints needed
- Authentication flow
- Payment integration plan

4. **Day 29-30:** Development timeline
- Break features into tasks
- Estimate time for each (hours)
- Plan for 30 days of development

**Deliverable:** Detailed MVP spec + tech stack + timeline

---

## Month 2 (Days 31-60): Build MVP

### Week 5-8: Development Sprint

**Goal:** Build working MVP with core features only

**Option 1: Build Yourself (If Technical)**

**Week 5:**
- Day 31-35: Project setup, authentication, database
- Day 36-37: Core feature #1 (most important)

**Week 6:**
- Day 38-42: Core feature #2
- Day 43-44: Core feature #3

**Week 7:**
- Day 45-49: Polish, bug fixes, testing
- Day 50-51: Payment integration (Stripe)

**Week 8:**
- Day 52-56: Final testing, deployment setup
- Day 57-60: Beta onboarding prep

---

**Option 2: Hire Developer**

**Week 5:**
- Day 31-32: Write detailed spec document
- Day 33-35: Interview 5-10 developers (Upwork/Toptal)
- Day 36-37: Select developer, kickoff call

**Week 6-7:**
- Day 38-51: Developer builds MVP
- Check-ins every 2 days
- Test each feature as completed

**Week 8:**
- Day 52-56: Bug fixes, refinements
- Day 57-60: Deployment, beta prep

**Cost:** $2,000-$5,000 for MVP

---

**Option 3: Use Our Service**

**Week 5:**
- Day 31: Order App Prototype ($1,150)
- Day 32-34: Provide spec, brand assets, examples
- Day 35: Review initial designs

**Week 6-7:**
- Day 36-50: We build MVP
- You receive updates every 3 days
- Test features in staging

**Week 8:**
- Day 51-56: Revisions based on feedback
- Day 57: Launch on your domain
- Day 58-60: Onboarding prep

👉 **[Order App Prototype Development](/contact?service=app-prototype)**

---

### MVP Must-Haves

**Core Functionality:**
- ✅ User authentication (signup/login)
- ✅ Main feature that solves core problem
- ✅ Basic dashboard/homepage
- ✅ Settings page
- ✅ Payment integration (Stripe)

**Can Skip for Now:**
- ❌ Mobile app (web first)
- ❌ Team/collaboration features
- ❌ Advanced analytics
- ❌ Integrations with other tools
- ❌ Admin dashboard

**Remember:** Launch first, add features later based on feedback

---

## Month 3 (Days 61-90): Beta Launch & Iterate

### Week 9: Private Beta Launch

**Goal:** Get first 10-20 users actually using the product

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 61-62:** Email waitlist

   Subject: You're invited! [Product] is ready

   Body:
   "Hey [Name],

   You signed up for [Product] back in [month].

   Great news – we just finished building it and you're
   invited to be one of the first users!

   [Login Link]

   We're keeping this private beta small (just 50 people)
   so we can give everyone white-glove support.

   Let me know what you think!
   [Your Name]"
   

2. **Day 63-65:** Manual onboarding
- Schedule 15-min call with each beta user
- Walk them through setup
- Watch them use product (screen share)
- Note what confuses them

3. **Day 66-67:** Collect feedback
- Send survey after 3 days of use
- Ask: What do you love? What's confusing? What's missing?
- Schedule follow-up calls with active users

**Metrics to Track:**
- **Activation rate:** % who complete key action (e.g., create first invoice)
- **Day 1 retention:** % who come back next day
- **Day 7 retention:** % who come back after 7 days

**Deliverable:** 10-20 active beta users + feedback doc

---

### Week 10: Rapid Iteration

**Goal:** Fix critical issues and improve based on feedback

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 68-70:** Prioritize feedback
- List all feedback
- Group into: Critical bugs / UX issues / Feature requests
- Focus on critical bugs + top 3 UX issues

2. **Day 71-74:** Ship improvements
- Fix bugs
- Improve confusing UI
- Add small features that multiple people requested
- Ship updates daily if possible

3. **Day 75:** Check metrics again
- Did activation rate improve?
- Is retention increasing?
- Are people completing core action?

**Goal:** 40%+ activation rate, 20%+ day-7 retention

---

### Week 11: Pricing & Monetization

**Goal:** Get first paying customers

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 76-77:** Finalize pricing
- Based on value provided
- Based on willingness to pay (from interviews)
- Based on competitor pricing

**Typical SaaS Pricing:**
- Starter: $10-25/month
- Pro: $25-75/month
- Team: $75-200/month

2. **Day 78-79:** Set up Stripe subscriptions
- Create products in Stripe
- Connect to your app
- Test checkout flow end-to-end

3. **Day 80-81:** Convert beta users
- Email beta users: "Beta ending, time to upgrade"
- Offer 50% off first year (founding member price)
- Personal outreach to most active users

**Target:** 5-10 paying customers by end of week

---

### Week 12: Public Launch

**Goal:** Open to public, get first 50 customers

**Tasks:**
1. **Day 82:** Remove waitlist, open signups
- Update landing page
- Remove "request access" → "Start free trial"

2. **Day 83-84:** Launch announcements
- **Product Hunt:** Launch early morning Tuesday-Thursday
- **Reddit:** Post in 20+ relevant subreddits
- **Twitter:** Tweet thread about journey + launch
- **Indie Hackers:** Post launch story
- **Hacker News:** Show HN post (if relevant)

3. **Day 85-86:** PR outreach (optional)
- Email 10-20 relevant bloggers/journalists
- Offer exclusive early access
- Provide screenshots + story

4. **Day 87-90:** Support & iterate
- Answer every support question within 1 hour
- Monitor user behavior
- Fix bugs immediately
- Ship small improvements daily

**Deliverable:** 50+ signups, 10-20 paying customers

---

## Post-Launch: Days 91-180

### Month 4-6 Goals

**Growth:**
- 100 → 500 → 1,000 users
- 20 → 50 → 100 paying customers
- $500 → $2,500 → $5,000 MRR

**Activities:**
- Content marketing (SEO blog posts)
- Paid ads (Google/Facebook)
- Partnerships (integrate with related tools)
- Referral program (give $10, get $10)

**Product:**
- Add top 3 requested features
- Improve onboarding flow
- Add integrations (Zapier, API)
- Build mobile app (if needed)

---

## Budget Breakdown

### Minimum Budget ($500)

Domain: $15
Landing page (Carrd): $9/year
Hosting (Vercel): Free
Database (Supabase): Free
Email (Resend): Free
Ads: $50 (optional)
Development: DIY (your time)
Total: ~$75 + your time

---

### Moderate Budget ($2,500)

Landing page (hire designer): $300
Development (hire developer): $2,000
Domain + hosting: $20
Supabase Pro: $25/month
Marketing: $150
Total: ~$2,500

---

### Comfortable Budget ($5,000)

Landing page (pro): $500
Development (our service): $1,150
Hosting (Vercel Pro): $20/month
Database (Supabase Pro): $25/month
Ads: $500
Content/copywriting: $500
Email/tools: $100
Total: ~$3,000 (+ $1,000 buffer)

---

## Common Launch Mistakes

### Mistake #1: Building Too Much Before Launch
- 6 months building → No customers
- **Instead:** 1 month validation + 1 month MVP + launch

---

### Mistake #2: Perfectionism
- "Just need to add one more feature..."
- **Instead:** Launch with core feature, iterate based on feedback

---

### Mistake #3: No Marketing Plan
- "If we build it, they will come" (they won't)
- **Instead:** Start marketing on day 1 (landing page, content, community)

---

### Mistake #4: Ignoring Feedback
- "Users just don't understand the vision"
- **Instead:** If 10 people are confused, you're wrong

---

### Mistake #5: Not Charging Early
- "We'll figure out monetization later"
- **Instead:** Charge from day 1, even if it's just $5/month

---

## Success Metrics by Day 90

**MVP Metrics:**
- ✅ Product is live and functional
- ✅ 50+ total signups
- ✅ 40%+ activation rate
- ✅ 20%+ day-7 retention
- ✅ 10-20 paying customers
- ✅ $200-$1,000 MRR (monthly recurring revenue)
- ✅ NPS score 40+ (would recommend to others)

**If you hit these metrics → You have product-market fit! Scale up.**

---

## Tools & Resources

### Development:
- **Next.js** – Frontend framework
- **Supabase** – Database + auth
- **Vercel** – Hosting
- **Stripe** – Payments
- **Tailwind CSS** – Styling

### Marketing:
- **Carrd/Framer** – Landing pages
- **Mailchimp** – Email marketing
- **PostHog** – Analytics
- **Buffer** – Social media scheduling

### Productivity:
- **Notion** – Project management
- **Figma** – Design/wireframes
- **Loom** – Record demos
- **Calendly** – Schedule calls

---

## Need Help Launching in 90 Days?

### Free Launch Plan Review
Book a free 30-min call and we'll:
- Review your idea
- Identify risks
- Create custom 90-day timeline
- Recommend tech stack

👉 **[Book Free Call](/contact?service=launch-consultation)**

---

### Done-For-You MVP ($1,150)
Don't want to code? We'll build your MVP:
- 2-3 week development
- Next.js + Supabase stack
- User authentication
- Payment integration
- Deployed and live

👉 **[Order MVP Development](/contact?service=app-prototype)**

---

### Full Launch Package ($3,500)
We handle everything:
- Landing page design ($420)
- MVP development ($1,150)
- 5 SEO blog posts ($1,000)
- Email sequences ($500)
- Launch strategy ($430)

👉 **[Book Launch Package](/contact?service=launch-package)**

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## Summary: 90-Day Checklist

### Month 1: Validate
- [ ] 10 customer interviews
- [ ] Landing page live
- [ ] 100+ email signups
- [ ] MVP spec finalized

### Month 2: Build
- [ ] MVP development (4 weeks)
- [ ] Core features working
- [ ] Payment integration
- [ ] Deployed to production

### Month 3: Launch
- [ ] 10-20 beta users
- [ ] Iterate based on feedback
- [ ] First paying customers
- [ ] Public launch

### Day 90 Goals:
- [ ] 50+ signups
- [ ] 10-20 paying customers
- [ ] $200-$1,000 MRR
- [ ] Product-market fit validated

**90 days from now, you could have a profitable SaaS business.**

**What are you waiting for? Start today!** 🚀

---

## Related Guides
- [MVP Development Cost & Timeline](/blog/mvp-development-cost-timeline-2025)
- [How to Validate Your Startup Idea](/blog/validate-startup-idea-complete-guide-2025)
- [Best Tech Stack for Startups](/blog/best-tech-stack-for-startups-2025)
- [Landing Page Cost Guide](/blog/landing-page-cost-complete-guide-2025)