Building a SaaS Business with Replit and Bolt.new
In this article, we will explore how to launch a SaaS (Software as a Service) business without writing a single line of code. We will compare two tools, Replit and Bolt.new, to see which one does a better job in helping us get our application up and running faster.
Introduction to the Problem
The problem that led to this exploration was the need for a video feedback tool. The existing solution, Frame.io, was becoming too expensive, and its new version had broken the API, making it impossible for new customers to access it. This led to the search for alternative solutions that could provide similar functionality without the high costs.
Exploring Replit and Bolt.new
Replit and Bolt.new are two tools that can build software from scratch just by describing what you want. We will test both tools with the same prompt to see which one performs better.
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Building the Prompt
To build the prompt, we used Chat GPT to create a verbose spec that includes all the details of the software we need to build. The prompt includes the requirement for a video feedback tool using Video.js, the ability to provide a video URL, play back the video with a timeline, and make comments at various points.
Building the Software
We then copied the specs into Replit and Bolt.new and started building the software. Replit asked if we wanted any additional features, such as support for private video URLs, categories, and tags. We approved the plan and started building.
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Testing the Software
We tested both tools by loading a video and playing it. Replit worked seamlessly, while Bolt.new encountered an error. We provided feedback to both tools, and Replit was able to fix the issue, while Bolt.new was still experiencing problems.
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Deploying the Software
We deployed the software using Replit, which provided a simple and easy-to-use interface. We configured the build settings and chose a domain for our app.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Replit emerged as the clear winner in this comparison. It provided a seamless and easy-to-use interface for building and deploying our software. We were able to create a fully functional video feedback tool without writing a single line of code.
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