SaaS Application Development for eCommerce Businesses in 2022: Process, Benefits, and Challenges!

Aside from cost and accessibility advantages, SaaS (Software as a Service) is gaining ground due to its simple development strategy. Many tech startups and eCommerce companies are adopting this innovative app development method.

All of them have good reasons for doing so. SaaS makes it simple to get up and run, enables flexible pricing models based on subscriptions, is straightforward to modify, and has virtually limitless potential for expansion.

However, what distinguishes SaaS-based software development from more traditional methods? Read on to find the answers to these and other burning concerns for investors and technopreneurs alike in this comprehensive guide.

How Can A SaaS eCommerce App Be Designed And Launched More Quickly?

The tremendous advantages of SaaS eCommerce app development may make you rush into constructing a SaaS eCommerce app, but you should first consider building a SaaS MVP. An MVP is a prototype or early version of a new product that contains only the elements necessary to meet the needs of potential customers and gather customer input for future product development.

eCommerce businesses may test their concepts and products by creating a SaaS MVP. Here are the five actions you need to do to speed up the launch of your SaaS eCommerce MVP, here are the five actions you need to do.

• The First Step Is To Form An Agile Development Team

An agile team should be composed of experienced and new individuals to achieve a well-balanced project. Experienced team members can take care of the project’s more difficult chores while the more recent members focus on the basics. When the project is completed, the team will be able to use this input to make adjustments to their work.

• Make Sure You’re Using The Correct Tools For Team Collaboration

Communication and collaboration between team members are essential for speeding up MVP development. Workflows and deliverables can be shared among teams via Slack, Trello, and ProofHub, among other platforms. It’s much easier to keep track of everyone’s progress when everyone is aware of how each team member is doing.

• Include Analytics In The Plan

Customer research is critical to developing a SaaS eCommerce MVP because it helps identify the product’s most important use cases and essential features. Integrate your data with a prioritization framework and related analytical tools as soon as you acquire them.

To make data-driven decisions, such as formulating hypotheses or running A/B tests, you can use the information generated by the analysis. At this point in the process, you can use Google Forms, Google Analytics, and Typeforms.

• Focus On The Core Features

eCommerce applications are infinitely customizable. To make your app stand out, you can use various unique features. On the other hand, an MVP is all about prioritizing the most important elements first. As a result, keep it simple by including the following three factors:

1. The user interface (UI) should be clean, straightforward, and easy to use. Don’t allow for any room for ambiguity.
2. Give the users the power to decide how and when they wish to interact with their data.
3. It would be best to make sure the data visualization is on point. Attempt to present the data visually appealing so that everyone can understand it.

• Create Value For Your Target Audience

Producing an MVP is all about creating a prototype of a new product and getting customer input to improve the final product. As a result, if you want to ensure that your consumers get the most out of your eCommerce app, you must incorporate their feedback into the development process.

As a result, your clients must be kept up to date throughout the pre-MVP, MVP, and Beta phases. Your product will be able to help clients with their pain points and provide true value if you accomplish this.

These five processes must be supported by thorough market research and meticulous planning.

Benefits of SaaS Over Traditional Apps

The term “SaaS development” refers to creating cloud-based apps that they may access via web browsers and mobile applications. SaaS differs from traditional software in several ways, including that it is hosted in the cloud.

1. A traditional software program is saved on the client’s or user’s local servers and hardware, while SaaS is hosted in the cloud.
2. Corporate and other customers can use a SaaS for as long as they like and as much as they want by subscribing to it. On the other hand, License software is a user’s intangible asset that cannot be seen or touched. In most cases, it is paid for upfront.
3. Because there are no limits on storage space, a SaaS can be as complete in scope and functionality as required for the user experience. Since the device’s RAM is a factor, this isn’t an issue with other applications and apps.

Challenges To Consider Before Developing A SaaS Application

SaaS app development differs from traditional app creation, which requires a one-time fee. Before beginning the development process, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

• Identify A Cloud Service Provider

Without cloud services, SaaS apps would not be possible. As a result, the key to the success of your SaaS project is choosing the right cloud service provider. Fortunately, you can select from a wide range of options. It’s up to you whether it’s Microsoft, AWS, Azure, or local service. Here are a few things to keep in mind before making a decision:

1. Choosing the best security services for your product is an important consideration.
2. How much money can you afford to spend on a cloud service?
3. What services does a provider offer that your company requires? (e.g., hosting, file storage, databases, and administration services) are examples of these
4. Whether or not your service provider has a presence in your area is a question of market coverage.

Expert Tips:

1. They feature a wide range of services and products that can grow with your company. So, if you can scale, you can always grow and scale with providers like Google Cloud Platform or AWS.
2. Using a well-known service provider can be overkill if you want to penetrate a certain market in your area. For instance, if you are looking for a cloud provider with servers in the desired region, you can do so. In addition, it is possible to combine the services of multiple providers.

• Protect Your SaaS App’s Security

Databases are a constant in the SaaS industry. Data stored in the cloud raises security concerns twice as much as stored in a traditional database. Fortunately, cloud service providers typically take care of security concerns. Many security tools are provided by cloud computing provider Amazon Web Services (AWS), such as the ability to limit public access and monitor public repositories. Firewalls, public access settings, and honeypots are these types of services.

• Incorporating Third-Party Applications

Developing a SaaS application necessitates addressing a wide range of user needs. Bad news: hand-coding requires a lot of time, effort, and money. However, there’s good news: you’re not obliged to. Instead of starting from scratch, you might use services provided by other companies. For example, you may see this in numerous programs, such as Google Maps, social media platforms, CRMs, or payment services.

Conclusion

As soon as all of these processes have been completed and your SaaS MVP is ready for launch, it would be best if you marketed it to reach your target audience. The key to a successful marketing campaign is to develop it to resonate with your target audience. We hope this post has provided you with a better understanding of the SaaS eCommerce app development process! For more details, contact our experts today!