43 of 56
Home/r/microsaas/#8270
6

I want to make an API (not another reddit one)

r/microsaas
8/15/2025

Content Summary

The post is from a user who recently lost their job at a tech company and wants to create their own API. They are looking for suggestions on what kind of API they could build that isn't another social media scraper or Reddit tool. The user plans to offer a generous free tier with a pay-as-you-go model. Several commenters provided ideas, such as focusing on esports real-time data, building a niche data API, or creating something that fills a gap in existing tools like Zapier. Others emphasized the importance of defining the API's purpose, starting with an MVP, and ensuring there is a real market demand.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion seems to focus on the importance of identifying a specific niche or problem that the API can solve, rather than just creating another generic tool. Many commenters suggest focusing on real-world use cases, such as esports data or data processing tools, to ensure there is a market. There is also a strong emphasis on starting with a minimal viable product to avoid over-engineering. Some debate exists around whether it's better to target a broad audience or a specific niche, but most agree that clarity on the problem being solved is essential. A few commenters also highlight the importance of community feedback and testing ideas before full development.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Nanosuitehttps://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/nanosuite/476270089209?flow_type=2Data ProcessingClean, validate, and deduplicate Google Sheets data using in-sheet tools

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty finding a unique API idea that people would pay for
  • Fear of creating redundant or similar tools (like social media scrapers or Reddit clones)
  • Need for a scalable and cost-effective API solution

Problems to Solve:

  • Lack of clear market demand for new APIs
  • High competition in the API space
  • Need for a minimal viable product (MVP) to test ideas before full development

Potential Solutions:

  • Focusing on niche areas like esports real-time data scraping
  • Creating an API that fills gaps in existing platforms (e.g., Zapier integrations)
  • Building a simple MVP with a generous free tier and pay-as-you-go model

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Focusing on solving real-world problems and identifying a specific niche
  • Starting with a minimal viable product (MVP) to reduce development time and costs
  • Offering a generous free tier to attract users and build a user base

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging community feedback and engagement from forums like r/microsaas
  • Highlighting the value proposition of the API to potential users

Monetization & Product:

  • Using a pay-as-you-go pricing model to cover hosting costs while keeping it accessible
  • Emphasizing the importance of product-market fit by addressing a real need

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with communities to gather feedback and refine the product
  • Building a strong foundation with a clear problem statement and user-focused design