You search a cloud-based HR application on Google. After shortlisting, one application seems tailored to your organizational needs. However, when you access the dashboard for the first time, you find it very complicated, messy, and less interactive. There are 99% chances you won’t use this app again.
You’re not the only user who rejected an app after bad experience. A study be data.ai revealed over 90% of SaaS users switch to other apps due to poor performance. Conversely, user-friendly UX design can boost conversion rates by 400%, according to Forrester.
Therefore, UI/UX design holds paramount importance in the SaaS development lifecycle. It plays a crucial role in creative a positive impression on first-time users. Once they are satisfied with system’s performance, they are more likely to convert and make a purchase. Hence, SaaS companies should optimize UI/UX design for more conversions and customer loyalty.
Read this article to learn more about an ideal UI/UX design and how it contributes to the growth of a SaaS business.
What is UI/UX Design in SaaS?
When you open an app, what you see first is user interface (UI), and when you start using the app, your interaction is referred to as user experience (UX). When combined, these two terms become UI/UX.
In the context of SaaS, UI/UX design is the process of building applications with intuitive user interfaces that optimize user experiences. User interface includes visual aspects while the user experience relates to the usability of a cloud-based application.
UI/UX design is a crucial aspect to improve users’ engagement time with a software and increase chances of success. SaaS companies take various approaches in UI/UX design process to offer a smooth and enjoyable journey to their users.
How to Build a Robust UI/UX Design?
Thousands of SaaS applications are developed every day. However, very few of them possess key chrematistics of a UI/UX design. If you are working the UI/UX design of a cloud-based application, make sure it has the following:
1. User-centric Layout
SaaS products are solely for their end users. If they are satisfied with the UI/UX design, you are successful. But if they are unhappy, you need to reevaluate your design approach.
The best practice, therefore, is to build a user-centric layout tailored to preferences of users. SaaS companies must have extensive knowledge of their users’ goals, pain points, and specific needs. A good understanding of clients’ demographics is essential to build a robust SaaS product.
This goal can only be achieved with extensive research and competitor analysis.
2. Responsiveness
SaaS applications are accessed across multiple devices. As a UI/UX designer, you must have a good understanding of different devices and their screen sizes.
For instance, the layout of a cloud application is different for smartphones and desktop. However, if your app works well on one device but shows performance-related issues on the other, it would create a negative impression on end users. As a result, your project is likely to fail.
Therefore, always make response UI/UX designs that are optimized for different SaaS platforms.
3. Simplicity
Perfect SaaS products have a correct balance of simplicity and functionality. And UI/UX designers know how to achieve this goal.
Ask yourself. What do you prefer: A responsive cloud software with simple user interface or a complicated one with a lot of performance issues? Definitely the first one because it is simple, easy-to-use, and robust. Users find it very convenient using applications with simple UI/UX designs.
As a result, less tedious onboarding leads to lower churn rate and higher customer satisfaction.
4. Design Consistency
Another important factor to consider is to maintain consistency throughout the UI/UX design process. Make sure your app has uniformity in topography, icons, color schemes, animations, etc. Use your creativity to optimize user interface as per client’s preferences.
A consistency UI/UX design results in a cohesive onboarding experience for first-time users. Besides, it helps customers understand app features quickly and become loyal users.
Benefits of UI/UX Design in SaaS Development Lifecycle
Here’s how UI/UX design contributes to the growth of a SaaS product:
1. User Retention
The UI/UX design is the first interaction of a cloud application with the user. Since it is the first point of contact, it has to be seamless, intuitive, and positive.
A good interaction would leave a long-lasting impression on the user. As a result, the application would result in great user experience and hook that customer with the product for longer periods.
As a result, better UI/UX design would increase user retention and bring down churn rates.
2. Data-driven Decision-making
Analyzing user behavior is a never-ending process. It starts from market research, competitor analysis, and understanding customer demographics. UI/UX design process takes this continuous monitoring to the next level.
Researching user needs during the UI/UX design enables SaaS companies to collect valuable insights about their target audience. These insights not only help them build great SaaS products; they also optimize user experiences in the long run. Businesses can track how users interact with the UI/UX design and use their research for further improvement.
Over time, eventually, they build perfect SaaS applications that deliver value and improve operational efficiency.
3. Validation of Product Ideas
Validating SaaS product ideas through MVP development is an important step in SaaS development lifecycle. The process involves building prototypes with minimal features and collecting users’ feedback. Based on their response, SaaS companies can iterate further and move towards full-scale implementation.
The UI/UX design plays the central role in product ideas’ validation process. When the UI is great, customers are more likely to adopt a product. Hence, the chances of approval would be high.
Conversely, if a product design fails to deliver great user experience, it would result in the failure of cloud solution. Hence, UI/UX design can help a SaaS business to test whether their MVP has the potential to influence users’ buying decision.
Final Thoughts
Great SaaS products have three essential qualities: Intuitive UI/UX design, desired functionality, and robust performance. While all these traits are crucial for success, UI/UX design plays the central role in satisfying target customers.
If your cloud solution has a great UI/UX design, customers would engage with it for longer periods. They will be less likely to switch earlier and eventually contribute to the growth of your business.
Hence, when developing a SaaS product, make sure the UI/UX design is user-centric, simple, responsive, and consistent. The process can be used to validate product ideas, make data-driven decisions, and convert first-time users into long-term customers.