What I've Learned Building a Language Learning SaaS From Scratch: Week 1

I'm building a MVP for my language learning SaaS. Here is a review on what I've learned during the first week of building.

Embarking on the journey of building a SaaS product for the first time is both exhilarating and challenging. Over the past week, I've been deep into developing FluentBurst, my innovative language learning platform. As a first-time product launch, I've encountered a range of lessons that have shaped my approach and understanding. In this post, I’ll share three major takeaways from my initial week of building FluentBurst, offering insights into user authentication, payment handling, and the realities of launching a new SaaS product. Whether you’re a fellow entrepreneur or just curious about the process, these lessons could provide valuable guidance for your own projects.

Authentication

Handling user authentication is more complex than it seems, especially with managing access tokens, refresh tokens, and token expiration. Deciding between building these flows from scratch or using a pre-built solution is crucial. I opted for AWS Cognito, integrated with Terraform and NextAuth, leveraging Cognito’s hosted UI for user login and registration. This combination offers robust security and scalability, speeding up development by providing ready-made components. However, it took longer and was more challenging than I expected, especially when configuring everything in Terraform.

The pros of using AWS Cognito include its comprehensive features, scalability, and the ability to manage authentication infrastructure as code through Terraform. The hosted UI simplifies user login and registration, making it easier to get started. However, the trade-off is the steep learning curve and the additional time required to set up and customize everything. While this approach provides a solid, reusable foundation for future projects, it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a quicker, easier solution for your first product.

User Onboarding

During my initial development phase, I focused on the core flow: landing page, user authentication, and basic functionality. However, I realized that I had overlooked an important aspect of the user onboarding process—handling payments. Although it was part of my original plan, it slipped through the cracks, meaning I now need to spend additional time integrating this functionality. This is an obvious function needed, but I was so focused on my text-speech and speech-to-text functionality that I forgot about it.

While addressing this gap is a manageable task, it presents a small blocker in getting my MVP publicly released. The advantage of focusing initially on core features is a quicker start and clearer validation of the product’s primary aspects. On the downside, missing critical elements like payment processing can delay the launch. Balancing these priorities is crucial for maintaining development momentum and ensuring a timely release.

Handling Payments

Continuing on the topic of handling payments, I haven’t yet fully considered how to manage various payment options. As the MVP approaches public release, I’m starting to think about this aspect more seriously. For now, I plan to launch with a single monthly payment option, but there are many possibilities to explore for the future. Common practices include offering discounted yearly subscriptions, but I’m also contemplating how to add additional value and create multiple payment tiers down the line.

While this isn’t the most pressing concern at the moment, it’s something I’ve been reflecting on. The immediate focus is on validating the market with a straightforward monthly payment option and securing my first paying customers. Once the MVP is live and generating feedback, I’ll have a better understanding of how to evolve my payment strategy to include different tiers and features, ensuring that the application can accommodate future growth and offer more value to users.

Current Status of Fluent Burst

I've made a lot of progress in my first week of building FluentBurst. Here are some of the highlights:

1. User Authentication

I got my user authentication system put into place and by outsourcing most of the work to AWS Cognito I've limited a lot of the maintenance I would have to do otherwise. I would consider this a big win for the week, even if it took me a little longer than I was expecting.

2. Text Chatbot

I've gotten a simple text chatbot to practice communicating in a language done. This is one of the two major components of my MVP so to be halfway done after a week is something I am very proud of. I am looking forward to finishing the rest of this during the upcoming week.

3. Landing Page

Finally, something I got done this week was a landing page to begin pushing users to after I launch the MVP. It is SEO optimized and helps display the value of the product to convert prospects into paying customers. I am looking forward to testing this one out!

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on my first week of building this SaaS product, I've gained valuable insights into the development process and the challenges that come with it. Handling user authentication has proven to be more intricate than I initially anticipated. Integrating AWS Cognito with Terraform and NextAuth offered a robust solution but required more effort and time than expected. This experience underscored the importance of balancing the benefits of using pre-built solutions with the complexities of custom implementation.

Similarly, while I made progress on core functionalities, I realized that overlooking payment handling was a significant oversight. This has been a reminder of the importance of thorough planning and attention to every aspect of the user journey. As I move forward, I’m focusing on launching with a simple payment model to validate the market, while keeping in mind the potential for future enhancements and additional payment tiers.

Overall, this week has been a learning experience in managing priorities, handling unexpected challenges, and refining my approach to building a SaaS product. I’m excited to continue evolving the project and applying these lessons as I progress towards a successful public release.

My Major Takeaway

• Plan Thoroughly: Ensure all aspects of your application, including user authentication and payments, are well-planned to avoid missing critical elements.
• Balance Customization and Pre-Built Solutions: Leveraging pre-built solutions like AWS Cognito can save time, but be prepared for the complexity of customization.
• Prioritize Core Features: Focus on essential functionalities first to validate your product, and address additional features and payment options as you move forward.
• Adapt and Learn: Be prepared to adapt your plans based on new insights and challenges, and use early experiences to refine your approach.