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BuildLog #1 I am operating a SaaS product since 2023 on the African market and I will be sharing my experiences and learning.
- The article is the first in a series of logs detailing the journey of a Technical Product Manager from Cameroon launching a SaaS product targeting students in late 2023 for the African market.
- Challenges in the African market include diverse languages (2000+), currencies (41), low internet coverage, and preferences for human contact over online purchases.
- The main payment system is mobile-based, online purchases often associated with poor quality, and users not being tech-savvy present hurdles.
- Adapting to challenges included adding a WhatsApp support group button, focusing on mobile usability, and using one-time payments instead of subscriptions.
- Expansion to international markets introduced issues related to currency disparity, difficulties in financial transactions, and restricted payment gateway options like Stripe and PayPal.
- Despite limitations, the platform has gained over 1130 users, created 1500+ documents, and generated around $500 to date, mostly from Mobile Money payments.
- Efforts to address financial constraints included partnering with individuals in Canada and the EU to access Stripe and PayPal accounts for international payments.
- Revenue projections for 2024 indicated potential growth to around $2000 (1,000,000 F CFA), highlighting the platform's potential with limited marketing and payment availability.
- Despite challenges, the platform continues to attract more visitors, users, and customers, with ongoing efforts to enhance user experience and social media promotion.
- Future articles will delve into technical decisions made during development and strategies for promoting the SaaS product further.
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