The Good

A well-designed user experience (UX) can be the difference between a successful product and one that struggles to gain traction. Product managers (PMs) play a crucial role in defining product vision and strategy, but to truly create products that resonate with users, they must understand UX fundamentals. We’ve seen this time and time again with our SaaS clients. When PMs incorporate UX principles into their decision-making, they ensure their products are not only functional but also intuitive, engaging, and aligned with user needs. If you aren’t upskilled yet, don’t worry. In this article, we’re diving into the fundamentals every product manager should know.

Wondering why users leave your site without converting? You may have a gut-instinct answer to the question. You might even have ideas for how to tweak design, rewrite headlines, or add new features in an attempt to get users to stick around. But guesswork isn’t a strategy. Expert researchers don’t guess. They use data, and one of their most powerful tools is the heatmap. When used correctly, heatmaps reveal where users hesitate, what grabs their attention, and where they drop off—all critical insights for optimizing conversions. But the real magic isn’t simply generating a heatmap; it’s knowing how to read it. In this guide, we’ll break down how to read a heatmap like an expert so you can stop guessing and start making informed, high-impact changes to your website. https://hubs.la/Q036sxfh0

Without an experimentation program in place, teams are left without the data needed to fuel good decision-making. Kalah Arsenault shares her POV on how to turn data and testing into the decision-making process. All of her insights (including how she stood up an A/B testing program and doubled volume) are here: https://lnkd.in/gwReHWsG

If you’ve worked in SaaS or digital media for a while, you’re likely privy to the long debate between “test and learn” and “launch and learn.” A hot topic in the 2010s, it argues the merits of shipping fast against the merits of validating pre-launch. Over time, it’s been argued under different names like “test everything” or “founder-led growth.” But it all boils down to the same question: Is it better to validate before or after launching? Every so often, it’s worth revisiting these hotly debated topics to ground ourselves (and our products) in strategic decision-making. We have much more data, knowledge, and tech than when the debate started. So, let’s take a look at where the “test and learn” vs “launch and learn” stands and how to make your own decision on which approach is best.

Form fatigue can quietly undermine your UX efforts, leading to missed conversions and frustrated users. However, with thoughtful research, clear design principles, and actionable strategies, you can create forms that not only engage users but also encourage them to complete the journey. https://hubs.la/Q036sFH60

Optimization isn’t a one-size-fits-all practice. Each organization has unique data, needs, and goals, on top of the always-evolving technology stack that supports experimentation. So, as a leader, it’s important to adapt.?Kalah Arsenault?knows this well. Over the course of her career, she’s been tasked with everything from turning data into actionable insights and advocating for data-driven analysis to building experimentation programs. Currently, she leads the marketing optimization team at?Autodesk, the global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. We had the chance to sit down with her and get the inside scoop on: ?? Standing up an A/B testing program ?? A simple prioritization model making an impact ?? Measuring and circulating optimization learnings Here is what she had to say:

When product managers incorporate UX principles into their decision-making, they ensure their products are not only functional but also intuitive, engaging, and aligned with user needs. Learn more about it in our insight article. https://hubs.la/Q039chRP0

Product-led growth (PLG) is a proven go-to-market strategy for SaaS companies. Leaders like Zoom, Spotify, and Canva offer free versions of their products to drive engagement and customer acquisition. The idea is that if users experience the value of the product first-hand, they’ll convert to loyal paying customers. But, as more companies adopt the methodology for their tools, PLG strategies become table stakes rather than competitive differentiators. The best practices that might have helped you stand out a few years ago are now run-of-the-mill. So, how do you make sure your product-led growth efforts stand out, improve the user experience, and go beyond the typical best practices you see day-to-day?

Connecting with B2B software product users is complex. We spoke with four experts to learn how they circumvent the challenges in B2B research. Although their approaches varied, one theme was clear: their path to meaningful B2B research has been through relationships. https://hubs.la/Q036sjbT0

While terms like scroll fatigue or decision fatigue are commonplace in UX, a quick search for resources on form fatigue doesn’t surface much. But, with over 15 years of experience optimizing digital experiences, we know how prevalent it can be. Drawing from those years of experience improving SaaS platforms, we’ve identified and addressed form fatigue across various products. In this article, we’ll show you how to uncover and fix it effectively. Check it out to learn: - Research methods for uncovering form fatigue - User behavior patterns that indicate your users suffer from form fatigue - Actionable strategies to improve form fatigue and increase conversions https://hubs.la/Q036skM_0