Thread by @wassimdotco, I just launched my first small SaaS @bannerswipe and now I'm looking [...]

I just launched my first small SaaS @bannerswipe and now I'm looking for the "right" tools to use.

Is there a site that lists the best SaaS tools?

Hmmm, I couldn't find anything interesting...

Let's build this!

First things first; domain name.

http://toolsforsaas.com seems to be available, let's register it!

Register http://toolsforsaas.com

Up next: Choose a tech stack for the website

Ok. So I'm building a list of the best SaaS tools around. It makes sense to use the best tools to build this list...

. @airtable for data
. @GatsbyJS for a static site
. @netlify or @vercel for hosting

. @algolia for search

All these tools are available for free btw!

Choose a tech stack for the website.

Up next: Build an MVP

MVP is up and running

https://toolsforsaas.com

Build an MVP

Up next:
- Add more tools
- Add image previews of tools
- Add more details (like pricing, category, etc.)

For those wondering. Here is what my . @airtable table looks like

If you'd like to copy this product or just mess with code, source is available here

https://github.com/wassim/toolsforsaas

wassim/toolsforsaas

Code that runs Tools for SaaS. Contribute to wassim/toolsforsaas development by creating an account on GitHub.

https://github.com/wassim/toolsforsaas

For image previews, I don't want to manually take the screenshot for each tool

so I will use . @airtable automation function and a screenshot api service like . @apiflash_com

Dear @airtable could you please upgrade my account so I can use the automation function with script run and also show people how to use it?

Btw my . @airtable base is publicly viewable here

https://airtable.com/shrQgSTcwtRWpsRZS

Feel free to copy it

Tools for SaaS - Airtable

Explore the "Tools for SaaS" base on Airtable.

https://airtable.com/shrQgSTcwtRWpsRZS

Update: so . @airtable haven't upgraded my account

so I used . @integromat to create the automation for free.

In my Airtable tools base I added a new column called "preview_status" to tell . @integromat which tool is missing a preview image.

Here is what my scenario looks like.

Update: so . @airtable haven't upgraded my account so I used . @integromat to create the automation for free.In my Airtable tools base I added a new column called "preview_status" to tell . @integromat which tool is missing a preview image.Here is what my scenario looks like.

And just like that, image preview of tools are automatically filled for me

Took a break. Back to this.

Added image previews

Added free/trial information

Made small aesthetics improvements

It's starting to take shape

Up next:
- Add category navigation
- Add single tool page for more details
- Add site analytics and make it public

Took a break. Back to this. Added image previews Added free/trial information Made small aesthetics improvementsIt's starting to take shape Up next:- Add category navigation- Add single tool page for more details- Add site analytics and make it public

Update:

Added . @usefathom analytics code

Added categories pages + header navigation

Up next:
- Detailed tools pages

Preview of category page

Note: to not have to manually deploy my site each time I add a new tool on Airtable, I've added an Integromat automation that do this for me

.

Step 1: Create a custom hook on Vercel
Step 2: Add a scenario with an HTTP request to trigger that hook!

Note: to not have to manually deploy my site each time I add a new tool on Airtable, I've added an Integromat automation that do this for me .Step 1: Create a custom hook on VercelStep 2: Add a scenario with an HTTP request to trigger that hook!

Update:

Details tools pages

See a live preview here

https://toolsforsaas.com/hosting/netlify

Note: All texts are generated dynamically from . @airtable data so I could spend less time on copy.

Up next:
- Add tools logos
- Add more tools

Again, I will not manually provide logos images. I will use . @integromat to automate this for me

That's it for today lads. See y'a tomorrow for more updates

Hi everyone

I'll continue to build @toolsforsaas publicly in this thread starting from 4pm today (gmt+1). Stay tuned

Back to building

. So let's recap what happened yesterday. I got an idea for a small product, decided to build it publicly and make source code available for everyone.

Let's see if awesome builders like @levelsio and @AndreyAzimov could RT this thread for more reach.

What I have done so far:

Build an MVP ( https://toolsforsaas.com )

Add some data

Improve the design

Up next:
- Add products logos via an automated process (will show you how)
- Improve the site header part

Let's go!

Update:

Improve site header + navigation

Update site branding