Building a SaaS Product: Choosing the Right Tech Stack & Strategy (A Founder’s Playbook)

Building a SaaS Product Comes With Unique Challenges

Creating a SaaS product isn’t easy. I’ve been there—making tough calls on tools, workflows, and scaling. It’s a bit like picking investments: some choices pay off big, others teach hard lessons. In this guide, I’ll share what worked (and what didn’t) from my own journey building a SaaS app.

The SaaS Tech Stack Dilemma: Choosing What to Keep and What to Sell

Your first big decision? The tech stack. Do you stick with something everyone knows—like React and Node.js—or try something newer, like Svelte with Go?

Why a “Gold Standard” Stack Works (React, Node.js, AWS)

• Huge community support means help is always nearby
• Finding developers is simpler
• Scales smoothly as your SaaS grows

Why a “Specialized” Stack Can Shine (Svelte, Go, Serverless)

• Often delivers faster performance
• Can cut down on cloud costs
• Helps you stand out from the crowd

There’s no one-size-fits-all. Your choice depends on your vision.

Lean SaaS Development: Getting to Market Faster

Early on, speed matters most. I used a minimum viable product (MVP) approach to test ideas quickly. Here’s how:

Key Lean Startup Tactics I Used

• Built version one in just 6 weeks with no-code tools like Bubble and Airtable
• Started charging customers right away—even with an imperfect product
• Refined everything based on how real users behaved

“The biggest mistake SaaS founders make is overbuilding before proving demand.” — My biggest lesson from Year 1

Bootstrapping vs. Raising Capital: The Founder’s Dilemma

This choice reminds me of deciding whether to cash in or hold an asset. Each path has its moment.

When Bootstrapping Makes Sense

• You already have some revenue and want full control
• Your unit economics look strong from the start
• You’d rather grow steadily than chase hypergrowth

When It’s Time to Raise Capital

• You’re in a market where speed wins
• Competitors are scaling fast with funding
• You need resources for complex tech like AI or machine learning

My SaaS Tech Stack That Scaled to $50K MRR

After plenty of trial and error, here’s the setup that powered my productivity SaaS to $50k monthly revenue:


Frontend: Next.js (React)
Backend: Node.js + Express
Database: PostgreSQL
Hosting: AWS Lightsail
Payments: Stripe
Analytics: Mixpanel


Final Thoughts: Build Smart, Like a Pro

SaaS success comes from smart, timely choices. Think long-term, stay lean, and let data guide you.

• Pick a tech stack that fits your future—not just the hype
• Launch quickly, learn faster
• Choose funding based on your goals, not fear
• Focus on what users love, and adapt as you grow

Good decisions now set you up for growth down the line. Whether you’re coding or investing, strategy always pays off.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• How I Leveraged Strategic Decision-Making to Boost My Freelance Rates and Client Base – I used to chase every freelance opportunity that came my way. Then I realized: treating my business like a coin collecto…
• How Your Development Choices Secretly Boost SEO: A Deep Dive into Core Web Vitals, Structured Data, and Marketing Wins – Did you know your development choices can secretly boost your SEO? Let’s explore how your tech stack impacts searc…
• Gold Investment ROI: Why Selling 10 Gold Eagles vs. Pre-1933 Coins Impacts Your Bottom Line – Beyond the Technical Features: The Real Business Impact of Gold Investment Decisions Let’s be honest: when you&#82…