The Complete 50-Point SaaS Startup Checklist
Stop guessing and start planning. This checklist covers everything from market validation to post-launch optimization so you avoid the $50K-$150K mistakes most founders make.
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Why 80% of SaaS MVPs Fail
What's Inside
Phase 1: Pre-Development Planning
Don't write a single line of code until you can check these off.
Market Research & Target Customer
- Defined Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
- Conducted 10+ problem discovery interviews
- Identified 3-5 direct competitors and their pricing
Problem Validation
- Validated the "hair on fire" problem exists
- Secured 5-10 pre-launch signups or LOIs
Business Model
- Defined revenue model (subscription, usage, etc.)
- Set initial pricing hypothesis
- Calculated LTV vs. CAC targets
Success Metrics
- Defined "North Star Metric"
- Set KPI targets for Launch Month (e.g., 10 paid users)
Budget & Runway
- Calculated detailed budget for MVP build ($15k-$50k)
- Secured 6-12 months of operating runway
- Decided on funding strategy (Bootstrap vs. Fundraise)
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Phase 2: Tech Stack Selection
Choose boring technology. Innovation points don't pay bills.
Platform Strategy
- Decided: Web App vs. Mobile App (Start with Web for B2B)
- Verified technical feasibility of core features
Frontend Framework
- Selected standard framework (e.g., Next.js/React)
- Confirmed component library usage (e.g., Tailwind UI) to save time
Backend & Database
- Selected database (PostgreSQL is usually best default)
- Chosen backend language (Node.js, Python, etc.)
- Validated scalability for Day 1 needs
Auth & Infrastructure
- Selected auth provider (Clerk, Supabase, NextAuth)
- Selected hosting provider (Vercel, AWS)
- Set up CI/CD pipeline for automated deployment
Phase 3: MVP Feature Prioritization
If it's not essential for the core problem, cut it.
Scope Definition
- Mapped out core user workflow (The "Happy Path")
- Identified the "One Key Feature" that solves the problem
The "Cut" List
- Moved "Nice-to-have" features to Post-Launch roadmap
- Simplified admin dashboard requirements
UX & Data
- Created low-fidelity wireframes
- Written user stories & acceptance criteria
- Designed initial database schema
Risk Management
- Identified biggest technical risks
- Created backup plan for critical dependencies
Phase 4: Development Milestones
Manage the build to ensure quality and speed.
Sprint Planning
- Broke project into 1-2 week sprints
- Set hard deadline for "Code Freeze"
Design & Code
- Finalized high-fidelity UI designs
- Staging and Production environments configured
- Automated database backups configured
Quality Assurance
- Established code review process
- Set up linting/formatting (Eslint/Prettier)
- Performed manual end-to-end testing of core flows
Phase 5: Launch Preparation
The build is done. Now get ready for the world.
Analytics & Tracking
- Installed Google Analytics 4 (or Plausible)
- Set up PostHog/FullStory for session replay
- Defined conversion events (Sign Up, Subscribe)
Legal & Support
- Terms of Service & Privacy Policy pages created
- Cookie consent banner installed (if needed)
- Set up support email & Help Center
Marketing Assets
- Landing page optimized for conversion
- SEO meta tags configured (Title, Description, OG Images)
Phase 6: Post-Launch Optimization
Launch is Day 1. The real work starts now.
Feedback Loop
- Set up automated "Welcome" email sequence
- Created system for collecting user feedback/bugs
Performance & Growth
- Ran Lighthouse performance audit
- Optimized image sizes and database queries
- Analyzed signup funnel drop-off
- Prioritized next features based on actual data
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Book a Strategy CallFrequently Asked Questions
Who is this checklist for?
Non-technical founders who are planning to build a SaaS product, founders who have started but feel overwhelmed, and anyone who wants to avoid expensive mistakes before writing code. Perfect for pre-product stage through early MVP.
Is this checklist specific to any tech stack?
No. The checklist is tech-stack agnostic and focuses on business and strategic decisions. It includes criteria to help you choose the right stack for your specific needs, whether that is Next.js, Django, Rails, or something else.
What format is the checklist?
You will receive a PDF with interactive checkboxes, detailed explanations for each item, and templates you can copy. We also include links to additional resources and tools for each phase.
Do I need technical knowledge to use this?
No. The checklist is written for non-technical founders. It explains technical concepts in plain language and helps you ask the right questions when hiring developers or evaluating options.
How is this different from other startup checklists?
Most checklists are generic business advice. This one is specifically for SaaS products and covers the technical planning and execution details that most founders miss. It is based on patterns from 50+ successful MVP launches.
What happens after I download it?
You will get immediate access to the PDF checklist. You will also be added to our weekly newsletter with SaaS development insights, case studies, and tools. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Need more than a checklist?
The checklist gets you started, but if you need hands-on guidance to execute, our Quick-Win Discovery Sprint delivers a complete technical roadmap in 5 days.