How to Learn SaaS

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Updated on April 18, 2023
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Software as a service, also known as SaaS, is subscription-based software delivered over the internet. SaaS is a form of cloud computing that covers various applications, including accounting and payroll, human resources, and content management.

SaaS is becoming a popular choice among businesses. Explore how to learn SaaS below.

Coding Bootcamps

Coding bootcamps offer career-focused training for tech professionals. This training costs less and takes less time to complete than a traditional degree. Bootcamps typically offer students flexible learning options, running full or part time and in person or online. Bootcamps also provide career preparation for entry-level SaaS jobs.

Online Courses

Students can access online courses to learn SaaS. Some online courses are free, and these courses involve various time commitments and learning formats. Courses offer a more flexible and often cheaper alternative to coding bootcamps. The following list details some online SaaS courses:

  • Udemy: Udemy offers multiple SaaS courses in subtopics like SaaS metrics, startups, and marketing. Most courses take 30 minutes to 13 hours to complete, costing $20-$100.
  • The SaaS Academy: This site offers a live or on-demand foundations course in SaaS metrics, including multiple video lessons. It costs $900. Students can also take a $199 course for beginners, as well as multiple courses for free covering topics like sales and financial planning.
  • Introduction to Cloud Computing: Offered on Coursera for free, IBM leads this course on core cloud computing concepts, including Saas. Students who complete the course may qualify to pursue the Cloud Computing Core IBM digital badge.
  • Azure: Understanding the Big Picture: LinkedIn offers this course in Microsoft Azure, a common cloud-computing platform. Students earn a certification for completing the course. The course costs $35 and offers flexible completion times.
  • Alison: Alison offers a course in Google cloud computing foundations, exploring all of the technologies comprising the Google cloud platform. These include Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Docs. The course lasts 4-5 hours and yields a certificate of completion.

Coding Bootcamps for You

Online Courses vs. Bootcamps

Pros: Cons:
Online Courses:
  • Affordability: Online courses typically offer free or low-cost tuition options.
  • Accessibility: Students can access open courseware and register easily.
  • Completion Times: Students can complete a course as fast as they like, even potentially in one session.
  • Pre-Recorded: Many courses offer pre-recorded material and limited instructor help.
  • Topical Study: A course may only provide an overview and not an in-depth exploration of the material.
  • Uncertified: Not all courses offer a certificate of completion. Some "free" courses require payment for this service.
Coding Bootcamps:
  • Learning Options: Students can attend a bootcamp in person, online, or in a hybrid format.
  • Hands-On Study: Most bootcamps emphasize experiential learning and interactive projects.
  • Job-Readiness: Bootcamps combine undergraduate curricula with field-specific soft skills.
  • Tuition Costs: Tuition for coding bootcamps costs $13,580 on average.
  • Prerequisites: Some programs prefer or require candidates to have experience to apply.
  • Completion Times: Bootcamps can require 16-24 weeks of full-time study.

Coding Bootcamps to Learn SaaS

Actualize

  • Location: Remote, Chicago
  • Program Cost: $15,900
  • Learning Format: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

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Actualize's intensive coding bootcamp features a live online format that simulates learning from a personal instructor. The curriculum covers coding, full-stack development, and database design. Students learn programming languages commonly used for SaaS, including JavaScript and SQL.


Coding Dojo

  • Location: Remote, Bellevue, Boise, Chicago, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley
  • Program Cost: $8,495-$15,495
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

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Coding Dojo offers a variety of courses in software development, data science, cybersecurity, and UX/UI design. Each program features distinct phases: pre-course, proficiency, client project, and career phase. Coding Dojo emphasizes comprehensive "3 stack" web development tools and does not require programming experience to enroll.


Designlab

  • Location: Remote
  • Program Cost: $7,249
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

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Designlab offers its students exclusive, one-on-one mentorship from top UX/UI and web designers. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience and yields a substantial professional portfolio. This bootcamp enrolls multiple cohorts throughout the year. Students can take Designlab's beginner-level foundations course before enrolling in the bootcamp.


Hack Reactor

  • Location: Remote, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
  • Program Cost: $17,980
  • Learning Format: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

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Evening & Weekend Options

Hack Reactor boasts prominent employee partnerships with high-profile, global tech companies like Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Hack Reactor's immersive software engineering bootcamps span 12, 19, or 36 weeks. Aspiring SaaS professionals may enroll in Hack Reactor's coding bootcamp to learn Python and JavaScript.


NYC Data Science Academy

  • Location: Remote, New York City
  • Program Cost: $17,600
  • Learning Format: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

Job Placement Assistance
Evening & Weekend Options

NYC Data Science Academy offers bootcamps in data science and data analytics, emphasizing tools for SaaS professionals like Python, R, and deep learning. The bootcamps enroll multiple cohorts in the spring, summer, and winter semesters. NYC Data Science Academy offers synchronous and asynchronous course delivery over 12-, 16-, or 24-week programs. All bootcamps culminate in a comprehensive capstone experience.

SaaS Jobs

Computer Programmer

Computer programmers write and test code for software and applications. SaaS jobs favor experts in programming languages like SQL, Python, and JavaScript, which are most compatible with cloud platforms. Most of these jobs require a bachelor's degree, though some employers may accept an associate degree.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $93,000


Computer Support Specialist

These professionals provide technical support to individuals and organizations. They may specialize in SaaS and cloud-based platforms, helping non-IT users navigate the services SaaS offer. Most computer support specialists hold an associate or bachelor's degree in a field related to computer science or IT.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $57,910


Web Developer

Web developers design and maintain websites. They are responsible for the technical, aesthetic, diagnostic, and functional aspects of the site. Web developers may pursue full-stack development experience to focus on creating SaaS platforms. These professionals typically need a bachelor's degree.

Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $77,200

What Are the Benefits of a SaaS Certification?

SaaS specialists may pursue a variety of professional certifications related to cloud computing or information security management, which can raise their salary potential. According to Forbes, cloud tech certifications were among the top-paying credentials of 2020.

As an emerging field, SaaS organizations are still developing standardization procedures and regulations to operate through. Employers may offer SaaS certification training for sellers and users of SaaS products to gain expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning SaaS

Is SaaS easy to learn?

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LearningSaaS may seem daunting to beginners. However, a coding bootcamp can teach you everything you need to know to build SaaS software. Learning SaaS requires developing multiple components at once, which may intimidate beginner programmers.

Coding bootcamps can teach students full-stack web development, a variety of programming languages, and the UX/UI design skills needed to create successful SaaS platforms. Advisors recommend that students with no previous coding experience stay open-minded and flexible about learning new skills. Learners should pace themselves during a bootcamp program as well.

Where can I learn SaaS for free?

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Online courseware sites and bootcamp providers sometimes offer free SaaS courses. Students with no prior experience may start with a general coding course to learn industry jargon and programming languages.

Many sites like Udemy and Coursera offer free open courseware in subjects like coding, computer programming, and data science. These sites may also offer individual courses in subjects like understanding data metrics, JavaScript, or SQL. Other SaaS-specific free online course providers include The SaaS Academy and Microsoft Azure.

What is the best way to learn SaaS?

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Students can learn SaaS through free online courses or coding bootcamps. SaaS-specific courses and bootcamps combine technical web development skills with required career skills. Students can typically enroll in a bootcamp or an online course without previous computer science experience.

These proactive learning methods enable students to graduate more quickly and at a lower cost than with a traditional degree. Students who enroll in bootcamps can enjoy accelerated, concentrated SaaS education and career training. Alternatively, students can access free online courses from anywhere, some requiring only one session to complete.