The Challenges of SSL and Custom Domains in SaaS: A Solo Developer’s Six-Month Journey
In the realm of SaaS development, providing a seamless experience for clients—especially when it comes to branding and domain management—is often more complicated than it appears. I recently embarked on a project that highlighted just how challenging this can be, particularly around supporting custom domains and SSL certificates.
A Simple Requirement, Complicated Execution
The task was straightforward in concept: enable users to utilize their own vanity domains, such as app.theircompany.com, instead of a subdomain like theircompany.myplatform.com. At first glance, this seemed like a typical feature—something manageable with standard DNS configurations and SSL provisions.
However, as I delved deeper, I found myself entangled in a six-month-long process to implement a reliable, automated infrastructure capable of handling:
- DNS validation for each custom domain
- Automated procurement and renewal of SSL certificates
- Handling multiple client domains robustly
- Ensuring stability and security across the board
What I anticipated as a manageable task quickly grew into a complex, time-consuming project that diverted attention from core product development.
Is This a Common Hurdle for SaaS Providers?
This experience led me to wonder: are other SaaS companies facing similar issues? Specifically, I’m interested in understanding:
- How do you currently manage custom domains and SSL for your customers?
- What are the most significant obstacles you’ve encountered?
- Have you ever considered developing an in-house solution? What were the reasons for pursuing or avoiding that path?
- Would a self-service platform that automates domain validation and SSL issuance be beneficial for your workflow?
Sharing Experiences and Solutions
If these challenges sound familiar, or if you’ve developed effective strategies to manage custom domains and SSL, I’d love to hear your insights. Perhaps there are tools or approaches that can streamline this process for others facing the same hurdles.
Let’s start a conversation—your input could help many developers and SaaS entrepreneurs save time and reduce headaches.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your thoughts!
