SaaS Product Design: Trends & Best Practices

Trends & Best Practices in SaaS Product Design

What makes websites with millions of users so successful?

Many things come to mind, from the code that runs in the background to the concept behind the platform itself. On the other hand, their layout is frequently disregarded.

This is disappointing, to say the least. Because:

Quality SaaS UI design is one of the most important steps in gaining an audience; in fact, it could be the turning point in your startup development.

How, then, do you arrive at the perfect blueprint?

Here, you’ll learn the fundamentals of SaaS product design and how to apply them to create a product that will sell well.

SaaS Overview

The SaaS model is at the forefront of today’s software development. This comes as no surprise, considering that it boasts a number of game-changing features that set it apart from competing delivery models in the IT sector:

Space savings in computing systems.
Lessen the burden on the budget generally.
Enhanced adaptability.
user interface and experience improvements made possible by cloud computing.
User interface that is more understandable and approachable.

Take a look at a few examples of SaaS applications used by large companies that have successfully adopted cloud computing.

To give just one example, Microsoft Office 365 includes far more than just Excel and Word. It allows users to collaborate on content in real time, regardless of platform or device, and to safely exchange information with other users. Just a few examples of other popular systems are Google Apps, Slack, and Dropbox.

Common SaaS Product Design Standards

When it comes to designing SaaS applications, there is a specific set of rules and norms that must be followed. These are the things that make a website better and more user-friendly in general.

These guidelines aren’t required, but they come highly recommended:

On the left side of the display, put your company’s logo. It’s been proven that logos placed on the right are ignored by users. In spite of how common it is for a logo to appear in the screen’s dead centre, placing it in the upper left corner is a better option.
Create a mobile-friendly version of your website. Having a website that is compatible with both desktop computers and mobile devices is crucial in today’s environment.
Make use of a bright backdrop. A website with a lot of black on it can be difficult to read and difficult to navigate. Additionally, having a bright background makes the interface feel more open and friendly.

Design Issues for SaaS Product

Each category of website design has its own set of dos and don’ts. This is also true for the user interface design of SaaS applications.

Integrating new features and determining which ones are worthwhile presents one of the greatest challenges for a UI design firm dealing with SaaS interface design.

First and foremost, you must determine if the new feature you’re considering will improve the product’s appeal or will better target the target audience.

You probably have a primary goal in mind for your design; does the addition of this feature accomplish any of those goals or bring you closer to others?

Second, think about the following as well:

Are you finding that this latest development is creating more work for you?
Is there any impact on administration and upkeep?
Does this result in a higher cost for your product?

In this case, make sure to weigh the costs against the benefits to the overall SaaS interface design.

Finally, you should think about whether or not it is an absolute requirement.

If you can get the same result from a different product or by removing a complicated component, it’s probably not worth it. Profitability is maximised by minimising time and money spent.

SaaS Design Best Practices

After reviewing common practises and issues, we can move on to SaaS design best practises.

in terms of creating a SaaS app.

I have compiled a summary of the best tips and tricks revealed by the most prosperous companies.

Navigation

When designing SaaS platforms, the most important step is to provide users with simple navigation and an intuitive interface.

Due to the lack of traditional marketing channels like TV commercials, print ads, and trade shows, it is imperative that your website be user-friendly and informative.

The primary navigation bar should feature quick access to all of the most useful submenu items. Keep only the most essential elements lined up there to keep it readable, which brings us back to our original point.

The best way to organise such a menu bar is in a horizontal or vertical slide column.

Dynamic Sorting

Imagine how frustrating it would be if every search result returned a huge amount of irrelevant information that had been scraped from the website’s database.

The dynamic sorting feature helps with this issue by letting you narrow your searches to produce only the results you’re interested in.

The search box should be positioned at the very top of the page for the sake of user experience. In order to avoid cluttering the user interface, it is also a good idea to incorporate it into the drop-down menu bar of the preceding section.

BuzzSumo is a fantastic illustration of the potential of dynamic categorization. In order to find specific information regarding social shares, you can use their search bar. You can also specify the time range and the data type, down to the specific social media platform.

Simple SaaS UI Design

The development of software as a service (SaaS) is laborious and time-consuming. A complex UX/UI is just one of the issues that can arise as a result.

Users tend to avoid websites with designs that are hard to understand or use, so this is a major threat to your site’s success.

Designing a solution that is comprehensive yet simple to grasp is challenging, especially when it comes to SaaS.

Dropbox’s widespread success can be attributed to the app’s easy accessibility and user-friendliness.

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Easy Sign-Up

In this day and age, who has the time or patience to slog through dozens, if not hundreds, of pages of registration forms?

In order to avoid turning away potential customers, it is essential to keep the sign-up process as straightforward as possible (which brings us to our fourth most important SaaS design practise).

There are numerous chances to learn more about your customer as they use your app.

Start with the bare minimum by collecting the name and email address. Every new barrier stands between you and a possible customer.

Even if you’re providing a free trial, users will likely expect you to ask for payment information.

To increase signups, emphasise the call to action and place visible buttons on the landing page. Google Apps serves as a prime example, as the company has dedicated its entire homepage to the product.

Product Needs to Be Personable

When a user visits a website, they like to think that it was made with them in mind.

Add a chat window where they can interact with a human or a bot to facilitate communication with company representatives.

You can use this to compile suggestions for enhancing the site. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sections are useful for customers who would rather find answers on their own than reach out to support.

Involve Your Customers During the Design Process

Every thriving company knows the value of keeping in touch with its clientele.

You have a lot of free resources at your disposal, so take advantage of them to improve your website. Twitter and Facebook chats, as well as online surveys on both social media and the website, will give users a voice in the design process.

Focus Design Time on Your App’s Most Common Features

Google’s strategy of integrating all of its services into a single interface has been very successful.

They made sure all the information their users required was in one place, and their apps all shared a similar look and feel, with simple icons and a prominent menu bar.

This made it simple for users to get around the whole platform.

Focus on Your Target Audience

A SaaS product should have broad appeal, but never lose sight of its original intent.

Your landing page’s primary purpose must be to bring in the desired audience. You can easily expand your service offerings by tailoring the registration process to different user types.

For example, if your product is a website with educational resources for students, your CTA could offer them free textbook access if they sign up for the website.

However, the sign-up procedure may branch off to offer different routes for instructors and students with varying access needs.

Client Support

It is more likely that a customer will subscribe on their own accord after using the free version of your SaaS website.

Create a detailed instruction page and streamline the process so they can complete it on their own without contacting customer support.

As I’ve already mentioned, there needs to be a readily accessible and exhaustive list of frequently asked questions.

Constantly Upgrade Your Product Design

Gaining users means your project will grow and change, necessitating UX/UI updates and enhancements to maintain a level of quality appropriate to the size of your business.

Take advantage of social media and regular user surveys to learn what your users want, and then give it to them.