1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Small software product (micro-SaaS): your step-by-step start

Build a focused paid software tool for a narrow audience with a specific, recurring problem.

  • 20 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Developers with savings, months of runway and a distribution advantage (audience, industry knowledge, search skills).

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 180 days.
  • You have no laptop or computer to work on.
  • You have no way yet to receive payments from overseas.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 180 days.
  • This can grow into a full income for people with strong skills and steady customers, but that usually takes months.
  • The main risk to plan for: building for months with no buyers.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How small software product (micro-SaaS) worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Book 5 problem interviews3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Aim for landing page with price3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Aim for 10+ interviews; concierge pilot3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Build the smallest version that solves one problem3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Give it to five people free in return for honest feedback3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Aim for MVP with paying users or kill it3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Charge the first users a small monthly fee3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Months two and three, task 3: Fix the top three complaints before adding features3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R2 000 to R30 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Next.js/Rails/Laravel
  • PayFast or Lemon Squeezy
  • Plausible/Umami analytics

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.