How to set up a waitlist for your SaaS in an afternoon
What a waitlist page needs, the tools that make it free, and how to use the list so it turns into your first users instead of a number.
Short answer: one page with the problem in your future users’ words, what you’ll do about it, and an email field. A free form tool like Tally is enough to start. The list matters less than what you do with it: write to people, ask what they use today, and invite them in small groups when the first version works.
What the page needs
- A headline that names the problem the way people described it in reviews and threads.
- Two or three lines on what will be different.
- An email field, and an optional question: “What do you use for this today?”
- A line on what happens next, such as “We’ll invite people in small groups this month.”
Tools for the sign-up form
| Tool | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Tally | Free with unlimited forms and submissions under fair use; looks clean; easy to embed | Advanced branding and some features need Pro ($24 a month) |
| Google Forms | Free and familiar; answers land in a Google Sheet | Looks generic; harder to match your brand |
| A form on your own site | Full control; the list lives in your database from day one | Takes building time you could spend on the product |
| Email tools with sign-up forms | Collect and email the list in one place | Monthly cost grows with the list size |
Make the list useful
- 1
Write to every early sign-up
Ask what they use today and what bugs them about it. The replies are your best research.
- 2
Invite in small groups
Ten people at a time, so you can talk to each one and fix what confuses them before the next group.
- 3
Give them a way to talk back inside the product
Email threads get lost once people start using the app. A feedback button in the product keeps the conversation going where the problems happen. Feedback from day one.
Questions
How many sign-ups is enough?
There’s no magic number. Fifty people who replied to your email beat five hundred who never answer.
Should I charge a deposit?
Pre-orders are a strong signal if your audience is used to paying for software. A call or reply can clarify interest. A pilot commitment, repeated use or payment provides stronger evidence.
Do I need a privacy notice?
Yes, say what you’ll do with the email and how to be removed. Keep it short and honest.