The Hidden Challenges of SSL and Custom Domains in SaaS: A Solo Developer’s 6-Month Struggle

In the world of SaaS development, offering clients the flexibility to use their own domains—like app.theircompany.com—is often viewed as a valuable feature. However, as many developers and entrepreneurs are discovering, implementing and maintaining this capability can be far more complex and time-consuming than initially anticipated.

Recently, I embarked on building a customized platform for a client that required support for vanity domains. While the concept sounds straightforward, the reality was a six-month journey filled with unexpected hurdles. From configuring DNS validation to automating SSL certificate issuance and renewal across multiple client domains, the process proved to be an intricate infrastructure challenge that significantly distracted me from focusing on core product improvements.

This experience has led me to ask a broader question to the SaaS community: Is dealing with custom domains and SSL management a common pain point? If you’re managing a platform that supports client-branded domains, how do you handle the technicalities involved?

• What solutions are you currently using to manage custom SSL certificates?
• What obstacles do you encounter during implementation and ongoing maintenance?
• Have you considered building an internal platform for domain validation and SSL automation? If so, what barriers or delays did you face?
• Would a streamlined, self-service system that automates domain pointing validation and SSL renewal be valuable in your workflow?

I’m eager to hear about your experiences and insights. Understanding how others tackle these challenges can shed light on potential solutions that save time, reduce headaches, and improve client satisfaction. If you’ve faced similar obstacles, or if you’re exploring ways to simplify this process, please share your thoughts.

Let’s collectively explore how to make custom domain management a smoother, more automated part of SaaS development.