You've got an amazing idea that can be turned into a SaaS: it solves a problem, it's clever, and you're tempted to start building right away. But hold on-before you write a single line of code, as there's one thing you need to do first: validate your idea.
Skipping this step is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes early-stage founders make. AtCodigoDelSur, we work with startup teams every day-and the most successful ones always do their homework before development begins.
Luckily for all of you foundes out there, we also learn from our clients' mistakes. So here are some basic steps to help you validate a SaaS idea quickly, effectively and without a single line of code:
1. Define the Problem Clearly
Start with the why. What specific problem does your SaaS solve? Who experiences it? Is it something people deal with daily, or only once in a while?
A solid SaaS idea doesn't just sound good: it solves a real, painful problem for a clearly defined audience. If you can't describe that in one sentence, go back and refine it.
2. Talk to Real People
The best validation doesn't come from your gut: it comes from your market. Talk to at least 10-15 potential customers. Ask open-ended questions like:
- How do you currently solve this problem?
- What's frustrating about that process?
- Would a tool that solved this be worth paying for?
The goal here isn't to pitch your idea-it's to listen. Pay close attention to patterns in their answers.
3. Research the Competition
Worried someone else is already doing it? That's actually a good sign. It means there's a market.Look at existing tools or platforms. What are they missing? What do users complain about in reviews or forums? Can you serve a niche they're overlooking?
You don't need to reinvent the wheel. Just make a better one for a specific group.
4. Build a Landing Page
This step is simple, quick, and powerful. Create a one-page site describing:
- The problem
- Your solution
- Who it's for
- A call-to-action (like "Join the waitlist" or "Get early access")
Use no-code tools like Carrd or Webflow. Then share it in communities, startup forums, or run a small ad campaign. If people are clicking, signing up, and sharing-it's working.
5. Try a No-Code or Manual MVP
Still unsure? There are multiple tools out there you can use to mock up your product experience. Things like Airtable, Zapier or Notion are particularly useful for this, and require no coding whatsoever. Or go "concierge-style": manually deliver the service as if your software existed. This helps you test your pricing, user flow, and whether people will actually pay for the solution.
Validating your SaaS idea doesn't require a full tech team or months of work. It just takes curiosity, a bit of hustle, and a willingness to test before building. If you're confident in your validation and ready to build, that's where we come in. At CodigoDelSur, we help startups turn strong ideas into powerful, scalable products-without wasting time or budget.
Got an idea that's ready for the next step? Let's build something great together!
