As we mentioned earlier, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to SaaS development. However, there are popular practices that have proven themselves among developers.
We have compiled a list of the top 5 best practices for designing a SaaS application with specific elements and real-life examples. With their help, you can create an effective and unique application. Ready?
Different devices and operating systems
When you do UI/UX design for a SaaS platform, you need to take into account that your users will have different devices and operating systems. The most difficult task here is to ensure consistent performance and maintain branding while complying with marketplace rules. This is because iOS, Android, and browsers have their own requirements for applications.
Even if you plan to start with only one operating system, we recommend thinking about scaling in advance and studying the requirements of different marketplaces. This will save you time and money in the future.
The app can be used on both smartphones and laptops.
Quick and easy registration
The registration page is like the first page of a book. If the user isn’t interested from the very first lines, they will move on. Imagine this scenario: a user opens a SaaS application for the first time and sees only two options: “Log in” or “Forgot your password.” But they don’t have login credentials yet and need to register. And there is no such button. An extra 10-20 seconds spent searching for the right element can scare users away right at the start of their journey.
Another life hack: when you design a registration form, use it as an opportunity to learn more about your customers. Ask questions about their needs and expectations, but not too many — registration should remain simple and quick.
Onboarding
Onboarding — a quick tour of the app — helps users understand how to use the platform and what benefits they can get. If customers find your product difficult to navigate and useless, they won’t use it. Therefore, it is important not only to talk about the benefits, but also to do so in an engaging way: this increases the chances that users will remember how to find the features they need.
For example, Slack is a leader in user onboarding. They use a contextual approach and several scenarios for different categories of users. For example, for those who create workspaces themselves and those who are invited to them. From a design perspective, onboarding in Slack is a very detailed and clear guide with pop-up tips.
First, users register, and then Slack starts a tour of the platform. At some point, you end up in a chat with a friendly Slackbot that answers questions and explains features. The onboarding process never ends: a pop-up tip appears every time a user tries a new feature. Even if it happens a month or a year after registration.
Dashboards
If your SaaS platform interacts with a large amount of data, it needs to be visually organized. Complex numbers, pie charts, graphs, percentages… all jumbled together can be very confusing for users, especially beginners. Your goal here is to help them understand and quickly find the information they need. One of the best ways to structure information in an application is with a dashboard.
Searching the platform
A built-in search engine helps users quickly find the screen or information they need. When developing a SaaS platform, think about what customers might potentially search for and what settings or filters they might need. There are a few basic tips for creating a search bar. It should:
- Be in a prominent place;
- Include a text field;
- Contain a search button;
- Have additional filters.
