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Build a SaaS in 60 Minutes (Softr, Airtable + Make.com)

Education

Introduction

In this article, I'll walk you through the process of building a subscription-based SaaS (Software as a Service) using tools like Softr, Airtable, and Make.com. This guide will help you create automations that generate monthly income by offering your automation as a service through a website.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through building:

  • Automations
  • A tech startup
  • User signups and payment pages
  • Internal user pages

We'll start by building out the automation from scratch, then setting up a database in Airtable, and finally, designing the website using Softr.

2. Automations Using Make.com

Setting Up the Automation

  1. Create Webhook: Start by creating a webhook in Make.com. This will allow users to call your server to perform tasks like transcriptions.
  2. Test Webhook: Create another automation to test the webhook created earlier.

Adding Necessary Modules

  1. Download File: Add an HTTP module to download the file submitted by the user.
  2. ChatGPT Whisper: Use ChatGPT Whisper to transcribe the files. Note that Whisper can only handle files up to 25 MB.

Error Handling

  • Large Files: For files larger than 25 MB, use Cloud convert to compress them before sending them to Whisper.

3. Configuring Airtable

Building the Database

  1. Users Table: Create fields like Name, Email, API Key, and Active.
  2. History Table: Link this table back to the Users table and add fields like File URL and Text Output.

Automating API Key Generation

  • Using Script: Write a small script to generate API keys automatically when a user signs up.

4. Building the Website Using Softr

Basic Setup

  1. Create a New App: Start by creating a new Softr app from scratch.
  2. Connect Airtable: Sync Softr with your Airtable database.

Designing Pages

  1. Home Page: Display user history.
  2. API Key Page: Show the user's API key.
  3. Documentation Page: Provide information on how to use the API.
  4. Checkout Page: Configure Stripe for payments.

Configuring Notifications and User Groups

  • Set Visibility Rules: Ensure pages like documentation and API key are only visible to paid users.
  • Page Rules: Define behavior for logged-in users, non-logged-in users, and paid users.

5. Testing and Deployment

Final Checks

  • Check API Functionality: Ensure everything works properly.
  • Stripe Integration: Make sure transactions are logged in Stripe.
  • User Experience: Verify the user can see their history, API key, and documentation after subscribing.

Conclusion: By following this guide, you can build a functional SaaS in roughly 60 minutes using Softr, Airtable, and Make.com.

Keywords

  • SaaS
  • Softr
  • Airtable
  • Make.com
  • API
  • Automation
  • Subscription
  • Stripe
  • Webhook
  • Transcription

FAQ

Q1: What tools do I need to build a SaaS as described in this guide? A1: You will need Softr for the frontend, Airtable for the database, and Make.com for automation.

Q2: What types of files can the service handle for transcriptions? A2: The service can handle audio and video files, but files larger than 25 MB will need to be compressed using Cloud convert.

Q3: How do I set up payment integration? A3: Payment integration is done through Stripe. You can configure this easily within the Softr platform.

Q4: Can I add more complex workflows and additional features? A4: Yes, Make.com and Softr both allow for adding more complex workflows and additional features.

Q5: Is there any kind of support or community if I get stuck? A5: Yes, you can join communities related to Make.com and Softr. The creator of this guide also offers a community where you can get support and access to additional templates.

By following this guide and using the mentioned tools, you can create a simple yet effective SaaS to generate monthly revenue and automate various processes easily.