I run a small e-commerce shop (physical products, ~$400k/year) and have been tinkering with a micro-SaaS tool on the side that automates inventory alerts for Shopify stores. It's got about 80 paying users and brings in ~$2k MRR. I'm thinking about selling the business as a package deal , shop + SaaS , but I'm worried buyers will see it as a confusing mess. Has anyone sold a hybrid like this? Is it better to split them up or keep them together?
SaaS
Can you sell a micro-SaaS software tool alongside an e-commerce shop?
Splitting seems cleaner. Most buyers of e-commerce shops don't want to manage software, and SaaS buyers don't want inventory. But I've never done it, so grain of salt.
Honestly, a package deal could be attractive if the SaaS directly supports the shop (which it sounds like it does). But you'll need to show that the SaaS isn't just a hobby poject. 80 users is decent but $2k MRR is small. What's the churn?
Churn is around 4% monthly. And yeah, the tool started as an internal fix for my own shop, then I opened it up. It's pretty lean — no employees, just me and a contractor for support ngl.
I sold a Shopify app + store bundle last year. It was a nightmare to market. Buyers kept asking which one was the 'real' business. Eventually sold to a strategic buyer who wanted both, but it took 8 months. If you go that route, get your numbers super clean and separate P&Ls.
8 months? Ouch. Did you use a broker?
Yeah, a small one. They were okay but didn't really get SaaS. I think I would've been better off selling the app on a marketplace like MicroAcquire and the shop separately. Hindsight.
What's the tech stack? If it's a no-code thing, that might turn off some buyers. If it's a real codebase with docs, that's a different story.
It's a Node.js app with a Postgres backend. I have basic docs but not great. The contractor handles most maintenance. I could probably clean it up before listing.
Cleaning up docs is a good idea regardless. But honestly, if i were a buyer, I'd be worried about key-person risk. You're the only one who knows both sides. That's a red flag.
Why not sell the SaaS first, then the shop? You could use the SaaS sale to fund a better exit for the shop. Or keep the shop and just license the tool. Just a thought.
Licensing could be interesting but probably complicates things. If you want out, you want out.
Also, have you considered that buyers might just clone your SaaS? It's not exactly a moat. 80 users is small enough that a competitor could undercut you easily. Sorry to be blunt.
Fair point. I'm not under any illusion that it's a unicorn. But it's profitable and low-maintenance. I think the right buyer might see it as a nice add-on. Still weighing my options.
Sounds like you've got a decent little business either way. Good luck with whatever you decide. Let us know how it goes.