How I Built a Steady Flow of Passive Income with Micro-SaaS (While Still at My 9-to-5)

Web Development • SaaS Development • No Code
By palakjaiswal
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Two years ago, like many of you, I was waking up every Monday morning, commuting to the same desk, doing work I didn’t hate—but wondering if there was more to life than trading time for money.

I wasn’t aiming to escape my job overnight. But I did crave more freedom, independence, and a safety net outside my monthly paycheck.

Then I stumbled upon the micro-SaaS model—and things changed.

Fast forward to today: I’m still working my 9-to-5, but I’ve built a micro-SaaS that generates a consistent stream of passive income. It’s not “quit-your-job” money yet—but it is real, recurring, and growing. More importantly, it gave me back my sense of purpose and progress.

Here’s how I did it—and how you can too.

What is Micro-SaaS, Exactly?

In indie hacker terms, Micro-SaaS is small-scale Software-as-a-Service targeting very specific problems in niche markets. Think:

  • Simple functionality

  • Clear value

  • Narrow customer base

  • Lean operation (often solo founders)

It’s the perfect model for busy professionals looking to build side income with limited time and resources.

Why Micro-SaaS Is Perfect for Side Hustlers

  • Low Maintenance: You’re not managing huge teams or complex systems. These apps often serve one clear purpose.

  • Cost-Effective: You don’t need office space, staff, or a hefty ad budget. A few hundred bucks can get you rolling.

  • Recurring Revenue: Subscription models = predictable income. You build once, get paid monthly.

  • Scalable: Even tiny tools can scale inside tight-knit niches. Growth doesn't require going mainstream.

How I Built My Micro-SaaS While Working Full-Time

Step 1: Pinpoint a Tiny, Painful Problem

I started by looking inward—what problems I was facing in my own job.

In my case, managing repetitive work order updates was eating up too much of my time. I figured if this pain existed for me, it likely affected others too.

So I decided to build something small, simple, and specific that could automate the process.

Step 2: Validate With Real Humans

Before writing a single line of code, I tested my idea:

  • I talked to coworkers and LinkedIn contacts.

  • I asked, “Would you pay $25/month if this problem disappeared?”

  • The answer? Enough yeses to justify building.

That initial feedback was critical—it gave me confidence, clarity, and direction.

Step 3: Use No-Code to Build Fast and Cheap

Time was limited. I couldn’t afford to learn to code or hire devs. That’s when I found Fuzen.io—a no-code platform designed for building lightweight SaaS tools without technical friction.

I built my MVP in under 3 weeks—while still working full-time—and had my first paying users by week six.

Why Fuzen worked for me:

  • Easy to map workflows I understood intuitively

  • Fast iteration with drag-and-drop modules

  • Built-in integrations (Google Sheets, Gmail, APIs)

Other solid no-code options include Bubble, Glide, and Softr—but for internal tools and micro-SaaS, Fuzen hit the sweet spot.

Step 4: Keep Pricing Simple & Recurring

Simplicity was my strategy—both in product and pricing.

I started at $25/month. Some early users upgraded to $49 as I added requested features.

With 65+ paying users today, recurring revenue compounds without needing to chase new customers constantly.

Step 5: Automate Everything You Can

With limited time, I leaned on automation:

  • Onboarding flows built inside Fuzen

  • Email sequences powered by Zapier

  • Stripe handling payments and renewals

I spend ~3 hours per week now—mostly answering support questions, reviewing feedback, and shipping small updates.

Results After 24 Months

  • Revenue: ~$2,000/month (recurring)

  • Customers: ~65 active users

  • Hours Worked/Week: 3 to 4 (truly passive-ish)

  • Initial Investment: <$200 (thanks to no-code)

And honestly? More than the income, the progress feels amazing.

Lessons I Wish I Knew Earlier

  • Marketing matters more than features: Nobody can buy your product if they don’t know it exists.

  • Start narrow: You don’t need to serve everyone. One niche, one pain point, one clear solution.

  • No-code = speed + flexibility: Tools like Fuzen make technical barriers irrelevant.

  • You don’t need to quit your job: Build slowly, on the side, and earn your way to freedom.

Final Thoughts: Why Micro-SaaS Might Be Your Next Best Move

Working on this product didn’t just generate income—it gave me momentum, clarity, and something of my own to build and grow.

If you’ve been stuck on the sidelines wondering, “Should I try?” — this is your sign.

✅ You don’t need to code.
✅ You don’t need thousands of dollars.
✅ You just need a real problem, a tight niche, and a no-code tool to build it.

So—what’s stopping you?

Drop your micro-SaaS idea (or your hesitation) below. I’d love to hear it—and help you make it real.