Build a SaaS: Develop a Subscription-Based App from scratch

“Build a SaaS: Develop a Subscription-Based App from Scratch” is a hands-on, 10-hour course designed to take you from a foundational understanding of web development to building a fully operational SaaS application. Utilizing Django and Python, this course introduces modern web app development techniques while focusing on creating a functional subscription-based Todo app that can support real users.

We begin by exploring the basics of web development, covering the concept of SaaS and why it has become a dominant model in today’s software landscape. This foundation prepares you for understanding the business and technical needs of building and launching a SaaS product. You’ll start by setting up your environment, installing Python, configuring Django, and using Visual Studio Code, ensuring you have the tools needed for professional development.

In the early sections, you’ll learn about Django, one of the most robust frameworks in Python, essential for building scalable web applications. You’ll learn to create, organize, and manage Django projects and apps, diving deep into authentication and user management. This course places strong emphasis on security, teaching you to build a custom user model, create secure login and registration flows, and integrate password reset options—each reinforced with hands-on examples to ensure understanding and mastery.

Once the authentication system is established, you’ll build a basic Todo application, which serves as the core feature for our SaaS project. This Todo app will involve CRUD operations, form management, and template creation, offering an in-depth experience with Django’s Model-View-Template (MVT) structure. These lessons ensure you understand the essential building blocks of any web application, preparing you to create dynamic, interactive features for your users.

The advanced section focuses on transforming this Todo app into a SaaS product by integrating Stripe. You’ll learn how to set up a Stripe account, generate API keys, and securely handle payments. Through Stripe integration, you’ll gain practical experience in developing a subscription model, creating custom pricing plans, and ensuring that your app can monetize user engagement. These skills are essential in the growing SaaS industry, allowing you to design apps that generate recurring revenue.

Version control and deployment skills are also emphasized, with modules on Git and GitHub integration. You’ll explore Git for managing project versions, collaborating with team members, and tracking changes in a streamlined manner. With GitHub, you’ll learn to manage repositories and ensure your project is always safe, collaborative, and ready for updates.

By the end of this course, you’ll have completed a project-ready, subscription-based Todo application, equipped with all essential features of a SaaS product, from authentication and task management to membership plans and payment processing. This course is ideal for beginners in web development, intermediate developers looking to enhance their SaaS skills, and entrepreneurs interested in creating a scalable software product. Through practical, step-by-step instruction, you’ll leave this course ready to build, deploy, and manage SaaS applications on your own.

Required Skills, Experience, Tools, or Equipment

Skills and Experience: Basic programming knowledge (preferably in Python) and a fundamental understanding of HTML/CSS are helpful but not required. Familiarity with web development concepts, although not mandatory, will aid in understanding the technical discussions.

Tools and Equipment:

• A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux

• Internet connection for accessing tools and resources

• Visual Studio Code (or other IDE)

• Python 3.x installed

• Access to Git and GitHub for version control

Intended Learners

This course is ideal for:

• Aspiring web developers interested in learning the entire process of building a web application from scratch.

• Entrepreneurs and business owners aiming to understand the mechanics of SaaS applications, particularly those interested in building subscription-based products.

• Intermediate developers who want to deepen their knowledge of Django, authentication, and payment integration.

• Students studying web development or software engineering who need hands-on, project-based learning.

With minimal prerequisites, this course supports those with a passion for learning, making it accessible for beginners while providing depth and rigor for more advanced learners. Whether your goal is a career in web development or creating a personal project, this course offers the toolkit to bring your ideas to life.