Introduction

Earning over $100,000 from a side project is not just luck. It means solving a real problem. It means taking action. It means staying consistent. This is one developer’s story. He built a software product. It now makes over $100,000 yearly. He did this while working full-time. He had no outside money. He had no team.

He didn’t wait for the perfect moment. He didn’t try to build something huge. Instead, he focused on a small problem. People truly needed help with it.  He built a simple tool. It fixed that problem easily. The result was a steady income. It grew over time. This shows small smart steps can lead to big wins.

This will explain exactly what he did. It breaks it down step by step. You can learn from him. Maybe you can start your own journey too.

Identified a Niche Pain Point

The developer did not try to make a product for everyone, he focused on one specific problem and he saw that many remote teams were frustrated.

They needed simple tools for daily check-ins on Slack. Existing tools were too complex. They were very expensive. Or they did not fit small teams’ needs.

So he built a tool to do one thing well. It would automate standups easily through Slack. This clear aim helped him choose key features. It also made his message simple. By finding a small group with a real problem, he could market better. He also avoided competing with large software companies.

Built with Speed Using No-Code and Open Source Tools

Time was a big problem. He worked full-time. So, he needed to be fast but still do good work. Instead of building everything new, he used no-code tools like Webflow. He also used open-source parts for the backend.

This saved a lot of time and money. He added existing tools. For example, Firebase for user logins. He also used Stripe for payments. He used templates for the website’s look. This helped him get a working basic version ready in just a few weeks.

This let him quickly test his idea. He could start getting feedback. He could make changes without spending months on development.

Launched Early and Collected Feedback Relentlessly

He did not wait for his product to be perfect but he released an early version called an MVP and to a few testers. Getting feedback early was key and It showed him problems with how people used the tool. He also found unclear steps and situations he had not considered.

He added a chat feature using Intercom, this let him talk directly with users and he also sent short surveys. He even emailed people himself. Every reply helped him improve the product.

He made quick changes based on real feedback. This turned users into fans. They felt heard. This made them more loyal. It also led to more people telling others about the product.

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Focused on Organic SEO and Product-Led Growth

He did not spend a lot on paid ads but he wrote helpful blog posts. These posts focused on specific search terms. For example, remote team management, Slack automation and asynchronous work.

He also added a referral feature where teams could get discounts for inviting others. Plus, his free plan had a small “Powered by” link. This brought in new users naturally.

This mix of blog content and product sharing led to many new users. Over time, it lowered how much he paid to get new customers. It also increased trust among users looking for real solutions.

Mastered Micro SaaS Pricing Strategy

He tried many different prices. Early versions were too cheap. Users did not value the product then. Slowly, he added different plans. These included free, pro, and team options. They were based on how much people used it and what features they got.

His pricing was not just a guess. He looked at competitors. He asked users in surveys. He also tested different prices. He gave discounts for yearly billing. This brought in more money faster. It also made fewer people leave.

This pricing plan helped him grow earnings well. It also kept getting new users strong. It did not push away smaller teams.

Kept Operations Lean and Scalable

He automated many tasks to avoid burnout and keep support requests from piling up. Automatic systems handled things like new user emails, billing issues, and even common questions. He also used a smart online help section.

He used tools to monitor for bugs and performance issues before users even noticed them. This way, he could keep the platform running well and help it grow, all with just a few hours of work each week.

Because he kept costs low and his systems efficient, his profit remained strong. This allowed him to reinvest in making the product better. He also hired outside help when he needed it.

FAQs about Building a $100K/Yr SaaS Side Hustle

How much time did it take to reach $100K/year?

It took about 18 months of consistent weekend work and evenings. The first $1K/month came after 6 months, and revenue steadily grew from there with consistent iteration.

Did the developer have a large audience or social media following?

No. Most early users came from targeted Reddit posts, niche Slack communities, and long-tail SEO content. Building an audience wasn’t a prerequisite.

What tech stack was used to build the SaaS product?

The core stack included Webflow (for landing page), Firebase (authentication), Stripe (payments), Node.js (backend), and Slack API (integration). It was lean but scalable.

Was funding or investment involved?

No external funding was used. The project was bootstrapped completely. Revenue from users funded the operational and marketing expenses.

How was customer support managed as the user base grew?

He implemented a comprehensive help center, automated replies for FAQs, and used tools like Intercom and Zapier to manage onboarding and ticket routing. Only critical support requests needed manual responses.

How did he handle competition from bigger SaaS companies?

By staying niche, moving fast, and focusing on excellent user experience. He wasn’t trying to beat the giants; he focused on users they overlooked. That made all the difference.

Final Words

This developer didn’t start with big money, a team, or many social media followers. What he had was a clear problem to fix. He was willing to launch early. He also had the discipline to always make things better.

In today’s busy software market, his journey shows something important. Success comes not from being the loudest. It comes from listening very closely to people.

Stay focused. Make changes fast. Solve a real problem. That is how side businesses grow into steady money.

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