6 SaaS Ideas To Build in 2025 (Before Someone Else Does)...

Summary

In this video, Rob Walling explores six B2B SaaS startup ideas derived from real problems encountered by businesses. These ideas, though not likely to generate billion-dollar outcomes, offer opportunities for building profitable ventures. The solutions span vertical niches such as custom apparel inventory management, integrating ticketing systems, ERP for small manufacturers, client portals for retail businesses, media asset management for solo content creators, and museum cataloging apps for small historical societies. Walling emphasizes the importance of validating ideas through research and outreach before pursuing them, providing insight into how to build viable software solutions for underserved markets.

Takeaways

• 😀 Starting a business, particularly in the B2B SaaS space, is more about creating freedom and financial flexibility than aiming for a billion-dollar unicorn.
• 😀 Rob Walling emphasizes the importance of identifying the problem a business solves and its target audience, rather than just focusing on the idea itself.
• 😀 Niche B2B SaaS ideas can offer less competition and more profitable opportunities compared to horizontal SaaS, but leveraging existing networks or experience is a competitive advantage.
• 😀 The first business idea discussed is inventory management for custom apparel businesses, emphasizing the need for a software solution to track inventory and manage production.
• 😀 A significant problem faced by MSPs (Managed Service Providers) is managing external ticketing systems through email, leading to inefficiencies and manual work, which could be addressed through API integration.
• 😀 ERP systems are in demand for small manufacturing businesses, with pain points related to traceability, change order requests, and accurate costing, making it a potential market for SaaS development.
• 😀 Vertical SaaS apps, especially in industries like manufacturing or inventory management, are more likely to find success by offering specialized solutions, despite the challenges of high development costs.
• 😀 A client portal for brick-and-mortar retail businesses is another idea, which would improve customer experience and satisfaction by providing a centralized platform for orders, services, approvals, and documentation.
• 😀 A simple, budget-friendly media asset management system for solo content creators is proposed, but the challenge lies in balancing affordability with a solution that addresses creators' specific needs without high churn.
• 😀 The idea of creating an affordable museum cataloging app is discussed, which could serve small historical societies, offering mobile compatibility and an accessible pricing model based on usage or active users rather than a one-time fee.

Q & A

What is the main power of building SaaS companies according to Rob Walling?

Rob Walling emphasizes that the main power of building SaaS companies is not necessarily about creating the next big Silicon Valley unicorn, but about creating financial freedom and allowing individuals to cover important life expenses, such as mortgages, car payments, and daycare, through a predictable monthly income.

What is the focus of the first business idea presented in the video?

The first business idea focuses on inventory management for custom apparel businesses. It addresses the need for software that can track inventory, integrate with Shopify, manage one-of-a-kind items, and monitor work-in-progress items like custom-dyed shirts.

Why does Rob Walling suggest focusing on vertical SaaS instead of horizontal SaaS?

Rob Walling suggests focusing on vertical SaaS because vertical niches tend to have fewer competitors compared to horizontal SaaS, which can be a 'bloodbath' with a lot of players. Niche markets provide opportunities for tailored solutions, and if you have a competitive advantage, success can be more achievable.

What is the second business idea about?

The second business idea revolves around integrating ticketing systems for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) who deal with multiple external ticketing systems without API integration. The idea is to build a solution that addresses email formatting inconsistencies, auto-reply loops, manual ticket management, and customization challenges in their workflows.

What are the pain points faced by the small dietary supplement manufacturer in the third idea?

The small dietary supplement manufacturer faces pain points such as lack of traceability of ingredients, difficulty with change order requests, inaccurate costing due to loss and yields, and challenges in processing adjustments due to environmental conditions. The manufacturer is looking for a unified ERP system to address these issues.

What is the key challenge in the ERP space for small manufacturers?

The key challenge in the ERP space for small manufacturers is the complexity and cost of existing systems. Many small businesses use fragmented systems like QuickBooks and spreadsheets, which are not sufficient for managing all aspects of manufacturing, and a more affordable, tailored ERP system is needed.

How does Rob Walling suggest validating SaaS ideas?

Rob Walling suggests a step-by-step approach to validating SaaS ideas. Initially, you should perform 2-hour validation through online research (e.g., keyword tools, Reddit threads), followed by 20-hour validation that includes outreach to potential customers and building a landing page. If the idea gains traction, you can move to 200-hour validation by building an MVP.

What is the concept behind building a marketplace app on platforms like Monday.com?

Building a marketplace app on platforms like Monday.com is attractive because you don’t start from scratch. These platforms already have a built-in customer base (over 225,000 customers), which significantly reduces the challenge of customer acquisition. Marketplace apps are a great first business for those starting out in SaaS.

What is the fourth business idea about?

The fourth business idea is about creating a client portal for brick-and-mortar businesses. These businesses often offer custom-ordered products and services, and the portal would provide a one-stop shop for clients to track orders, manage documents, approve workflows, and handle invoicing, improving customer experience and satisfaction.

What is the main concern with the simple media asset management tool proposed in the fifth idea?

The main concern with the media asset management tool is that the pricing structure may not be sustainable for a subscription business. The idea is to offer a simple, budget-friendly solution for solo content creators, but such solutions often face high churn rates because users want everything for a low price, which can be challenging to maintain in a subscription model.

Why is the museum cataloging app a niche idea, and how does it relate to pricing concerns?

The museum cataloging app is a niche idea because it targets small historical societies and museums, which often have limited budgets. The current options for cataloging are expensive, and the main challenge is finding an affordable solution. The app must be priced carefully, potentially using a subscription model that accounts for factors like the number of users or devices.

How does Rob Walling feel about SaaS ideas targeting very niche markets?

Rob Walling acknowledges that SaaS ideas targeting very niche markets can be profitable but notes that these markets often come with smaller total addressable markets (TAM). However, if the pain points are significant enough and the product provides real value, these niche markets can still generate consistent revenue, especially in B2B spaces.