How I Closed My First SaaS Client Without Writing a Single Line of Code
Hey IndieHackers,
I just closed my first SaaS client for a 5-figure deal… without writing a single line of code!
TBH - that's what any newbie indiehacker will tell you to do.
But, there was some luck involved.
The thing is, chance favors the prepared mind (some smart dude said, maybe Louis Pasteur?).
This is really what is was about - prepared mind. You see, it's a number's game. I'll explain.
Here’s how it went.
I was bothered by not being able to see all Yoga sessions in my area. In one simple table. So I built it.
And one day, I was working on it in a cafe and overheard the 2 people sitting next to me. They were yoga teachers.
This is what they mean when they say - show your work. I was hesitant but I reached out. One of them was an owner of a pilates studio. She asked if I could build a tracking system for her chain of studios and.. 4 months later we signed a contract.
Instead of waiting until I knew how to code, I built a simple mock with excalidraw, pitched the concept, and closed the deal.
Now, I’m learning to code so I can ship the product and deliver on my promise.
Yes, this can be done with no-code. But I'm taking this as an opportunity to learn how to code!
Crazy, I know.
You can follow me to see if this even works :)
It’s been a rollercoaster, but here’s what worked for me:
1️⃣ Solve a real problem that your target audience cares about.
2️⃣ Don’t overthink the MVP—start with what you can build today, and if possible - don't build, draw.
3️⃣ Validate the idea with real customers before you invest heavily.
If you’re curious about how I pulled it off or want to see my journey, I broke it all down in a short video here.
Have you sold a product before building it? Or are you thinking about it? Let’s share notes! 🚀
I closed my first SaaS client without writing a single line of code by using no-code tools to create a functional prototype. I focused on understanding their pain points and demonstrated how my solution would address their specific needs. Through clear communication and emphasizing the value, I built trust and rapport. The client was convinced by the solution, not the technical details, leading to a successful close.
Wow that's pretty much exactly what I experienced.
You can actually see a summary here - https://youtu.be/VlKHuAm8IqI
Wow, that's quite a story. Have you agreed on any deadlines regarding the shipping of the product?
Yes absolutely, it took over 5 conversations re deadlines, scope and milestones.
Congrats on closing your first SaaS deal—what a story! 🚀 I love how you turned a simple observation into a real opportunity. The "show your work" moment at the café is such a powerful example of serendipity meeting preparation.
Also, respect for diving into coding now. It’s not just about delivering the product but building a skill that’ll pay off in the long run.
Your process—solving a real problem, starting small, and validating early—really resonates. Curious, how are you balancing learning to code while keeping your client updated and engaged? Would love to hear more about that! 👏
"serendipity meeting preparation" - love this!
Great Q - honestly, the way I'm able to pull this off (hopefully 🤞🏻) is by starting to actually code it months before the deal got signed. TBH - I took a risk but to me this is not really a "risk" as I would have learned how to code it even if the client wouldn't have signed, which is a great outcome for me at this point.
“luck favors the prepared mind” is a polite way to say: “i eavesdropped, pitched, and won.”
you solved a problem, sketched a solution, and turned a yoga table into five figures. chaos-level brilliance learning to code after the deal, but hey, that’s indiehacking.
tl;dr: yoga + eavesdropping = saas. unstoppable. respect.
I really value the thoughtful approach you take in every post! Your insights have consistently helped me build a better understanding of webdev practices. EchoAPI has also been a tremendous help lately, especially with its API simulation features, which save me so much time during testing.
This is quite insightful. I wonder whether you were lucky of knowing those people or if it's normal to meet possible clients at a café. I think I should try it out!
Anyways, and excuse my misunderstanding, but what happened on those 4 months until you signed the contract?
You should definitely try it out!
But not just cafes.. just reach out to people because you really never know.
Re your Q - we were back and forth on UI design and terms/pricing.
Some more details here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlKHuAm8IqI
Aww that's amazing
thanks!
Closing my first SaaS client without touching a single line of code was all about focusing on the problem, not the product. I validated their pain points, presented a clear solution using prototypes, and showcased value through a personalized demo. By leveraging no-code tools and prioritizing their needs, I built trust and delivered results. It’s proof that understanding clients beats coding when it comes to sealing the deal
Inspiring story, thanks for sharing! Could you please explain what the product does exactly, how much you will sell it to this first client, and how long it took to build?
Absolutely and thanks for asking.
I'll create a post and a video this weekend with all the details for you 💙
This comment was deleted 13 days ago.
Thank you. It was really helpfull.
Glad it helps! happy to answer any question.
Closing your first SaaS client without writing any code is a testament to the power of understanding customer needs and validating ideas early. This approach is a great reminder that solving problems comes before building solutions.
Yes exactly, easy to say harder to do.