So, the idea of building a SaaS platform like Canva crosses your mind. That's so thoughtful. It is indeed quite an opportunity, yes it is. Today, Canva is making $260,347 in revenue daily. 21. And approximately it has 220. Of the visitors, 2 million are unique visitors on a daily basis.
All these numbers are really astonishing and do compel one to come up with a product like this in the market. Hence, if one is planning to have a business like this, it is better that the fundamental things are understood from the beginning.
Okay, let me tell you all the things that you would require to know in order to develop a SaaS platform like Canva, whether you want to know about its developmental process or the cost that goes into the development of a SaaS platform like Canva. Starting with the processes that an organization has to go through in the development of a cloud-based solution such as Canva.
Steps To Develop a SaaS Platform Like Canva
For those who don't know what SaaS and Canava are, let me define them for you before we begin the development process.
First off, what is SaaS?
Software as a Service, or SaaS is a method of accessing software over the Internet without purchasing them outright. Users can access these services via web browsers, avoiding the need for local installations. Canva, for example, offers graphic design tools through its SaaS platform.
Now, let's get back to the strategy of developing the SaS platform like Canva.
Step 1: Market Research
Before writing a single piece of code, you are supposed to conduct thorough market research to understand user needs and preferences. In this, identify existing SaaS solutions for purposes and assess their strengths and weaknesses. Should you develop an AI-enabled SaaS product, or not? Doing so will help you validate demand and will highlight opportunities for differentiation.
At the end, you can outline your SaaS platform:
Purpose
Target audience
Key features
Step 2: Conceptualization and Planning
Did you know that 70% of startups fail due to a lack of proper planning? Shocking but true. When you are done with the market research, now the turn comes for conceptualizing and planning. You need to have solid business goals, a target market definition, and a clear value proposition to guide your development process.
You must create detailed user personas and journey maps. In this stage, business leaders should develop a plan outlining features, timelines, resources, and budgets for developing a Canva-like SaaS platform.
Step 3: Choose The Type of SaaS Pricing Model
There are different SaaS models to consider while developing any SaaS app like Canva. Options you have are-
Freemium
Subscription-based
Pay-per-seat
Pay-as-you-go
Each of these pricing models has its own advantages and drawbacks. Canva primarily uses the freemium model, offering basic features for free while charging for premium features.
So, decide- which model would suit your business best.
Step 4: Design UI/UX
The next important step is to give your idea a shape. That means you have to design a wireframe of a Canva-like SaaS application that gives you the basic structure and layout of your platform.
That will help visualize the user flow. Following this, UI/UX design should be instructed to develop a prototype where your wireframes are transferred into designs with graphics and functionalities. This will enable you to get the user experience for effectiveness before the development stage by identifying flaws.
Step 5: Develop MVP
Starting with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is often a smart move in validating any idea. It allows you to launch a SaaS app like Canva quickly and get user feedback. Your MVP should include the core functionalities that you decided to include in the initial stage.
By focusing on the essentials, you can test the waters without a massive initial investment. According to CB Insights, 42% of startups fail because there’s no market need. An MVP helps mitigate this risk.
Step 6: Testing
The concept of testing is the core foundation of every generally successful SaaS application release, acting as the single final defense line before it gets into customers’ hands.
This critical phase in the development process of a Canva-like SaS solution. Conduct tests to uncover any functional, performance, or security issues that could compromise the user experience or the application’s integrity.
Step 7: Deployment & Launch
To let your SaaS product get into use, it must be available on the web. For that, you need to choose a reliable cloud platform and deploy your application. Ensure optimal performance, scalability, and security by selecting the right infrastructure.
Now, you know what it takes to develop a SaaS platform like Canva. So, let's go further and understand the cost of developing such an app.
Cost To Develop a SaaS Platform Like Canva
While talking about the numbers, i.e. cost to build a SaaS platform, you need to know, there is no fixed price for it. Yes, you read that right. There are several factors that are accountable to the final budget to develop a SaaS platform like Canva. Some of those factors are-
1. Complexity: What Feature You Are Including?
When it comes to features, Canva offers a wide array of tools, from drag-and-drop functionality to a rich library of templates. Similarly, your platform will have some sort of features. However, the real challenge lies in the fact that feature complexity directly impacts development costs. The more complex a SaaS platform, the higher the SaaS application development services expenses. In short, complexity is directly proportional to the platform's cost.
2. Development Team: Who Do You Need?
The second factor that impacts the cost of building a SaaS platform like Canva, is the composition of the development team. You need to understand that SaaS application development services is not a one-person job. It requires a team of front-end and back-end developers, UI/UX designers, and quality assurance testers. Each team member represents a cost.
Consequently, a smaller team of 5-9 people will generally be less expensive than a larger team of 10-15 people.
3. Technology Stack
Now, the tech stack you are using for the development process will impact the overall cost of a SaaS app like Canva. Whether you opt for React Native and Node.js on the front-end and back-end, respectively, or choose Vue and Laravel, the cost will vary.
Additionally, the cloud platform selection—AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud—also influences the final price. In essence, the choice of tech stack directly impacts the overall cost of the SaaS platform.
Cost Breakdown: What to Expect
You must be wondering about the overall cost, aren’t you? Well, here’s a rough breakdown that gives an overview of the cost you need to pay at the different stages of the development process :
1. Planning and Research: $10,000 - $30,000
2. Design and Prototyping: $50,000 - $100,000
3. Development: $500,000 - $1,000,000
4. Marketing: $50,000 - $200,000
In total, you’re looking at an investment of around $610,000 to $1,330,000. Quite a sum, but the potential returns can be substantial.
Wrap Up
Building a SaaS platform like Canva involves a mix of strategic planning, technological expertise, and significant investment. However, the rewards can be immense. Indeed, who would not wish to develop the next successful idea that would be launched in the SaaS environment? I do hope that this blog was somewhat helpful in assisting you in beginning your journey. Moreover, you can hire mobile app developers in India to assist you in developing SaaS applications like Canva.
