---
title: "A complete checklist to launch your SaaS from zero"
date: 2025-04-30
description: "Twelve things to have in place to get out of idea mode and put a product in front of people who can pay for it."
tags: ["saas","startup","checklist"]
lang: en
source: https://www.lincoli.me/articles/checklist-to-launch-your-saas/
author: "Lincoli Xavier"
---

Launching a SaaS involves a lot of technical and strategic detail. This guide is meant to help you leave "idea mode" and get your product live with what you need to validate it, sell it and grow it.

---

## 1. A landing page with a clear CTA

The landing page is your shop window. It has to be direct, responsive and persuasive.

- Lead with the problem you solve.
- Show the main benefit within five seconds.
- Use a **direct call to action**: "Start free trial", "Get started", "See pricing".
- Useful tools: [Carrd](https://carrd.co), [Framer](https://framer.com), [Webflow](https://webflow.com).

---

## 2. A working dashboard with the core feature

Your SaaS does not need to be complete, but it does need to **minimally work**.

- The first feature has to deliver **real value**.
- Keep it simple, but usable.
- Do not add ten features before validating one.

---

## 3. Basic infrastructure, live

Your app needs to run reliably.

- Hosting: Vercel, Netlify, Fly.io or Railway for lightweight backends. Start on a PaaS; move to a VPS once it gains traction.
- Database: Supabase, PlanetScale, Neon, or SQLite to start.
- Add monitoring for uptime and errors. [UptimeRobot](https://uptimerobot.com) is a fine starting point.

---

## 4. Your own domain

Avoid odd extensions. Aim for something simple and memorable.

- Namecheap, Google Domains or Cloudflare.
- `.com`, `.io`, `.tech` and `.dev` are all good options.

---

## 5. A business email address

It signals credibility and helps with deliverability, particularly for onboarding and support.

- Zoho Mail and Umbler are free for one account on your own domain.
- Google Workspace is worth it once you have validated the idea.

---

## 6. Pricing decided

You need to know what to charge **before you start promoting**.

- Choose between free, freemium, trial or paid outright.
- Offer monthly plans, usage-based pricing, or both.
- Work out what the infrastructure and APIs actually cost you (OpenAI tokens, for instance) before setting a price.
- Avoid "price on request" early on.
- Use Stripe, Mercado Pago, AbacatePay or Gumroad for checkout.

---

## 7. A look at the competition

You need to understand the terrain.

- What features do they have?
- What is the average price?
- How do they communicate value?

Use that to **differentiate** your SaaS, not just to copy.

---

## 8. Checkout live: start as a sole trader if you must

Do not wait until the company paperwork is done. Platforms like Mercado Pago let you take payments as an individual.

- Set up a simple checkout.
- Be clear that you are early and in a testing phase.
- Invest in trust signals: testimonials, badges and so on.

---

## 9. Payment tested end to end

Simulate a real purchase.

- Test every path: success, error, cancellation.
- Confirm the customer gets a confirmation email.
- Make sure you get notified too.

---

## 10. Refund policy, terms and privacy

Even as an MVP, this signals safety and saves you headaches.

- Generate them with Termly, Iubenda or Privacidade Digital.
- Be transparent and direct.

---

## 11. An active Instagram linking to the landing page

Marketing is not optional.

- Create a profile that looks professional.
- Post behind the scenes, updates, and content that teaches something.
- Put the landing page link in the bio.
- A LinkedIn page is optional, but it helps for B2B.
- Write a short onboarding guide, or record a brief video. It helps retention more than it looks like it will.

---

## 12. Analytics installed

What is not measured does not improve.

- Install Google Analytics, Plausible, Umami, Amplitude, Clarity or Hotjar.
- Track visits, conversions and behaviour, on the landing page *and* inside the product.
- Use the data to improve your messaging and your product.

---

## Useful, if not essential

- A contact or quick support form, such as Tawk.to or Crisp.
- A waiting list or basic email marketing, such as ConvertKit or Buttondown.

---

## Conclusion

With this checklist you go from paper to in the game. Launching a SaaS **does not need to be complex**, but it does need to be deliberate.

Start simple, deliver value, and listen to your first users.

---

[Nomadz community](https://www.patreon.com/nomadz/membership)