Light mode vs Dark mode; Get Inspired by 5 of the Best SaaS Websites

Are you a light or dark screen lover? ??

In this edition of SiteSeeing, we’ll be chiming in on a major UX debate: Light mode vs Dark mode. Oh, and if you need inspiration for your next web design, we got you covered with our favorite B2B SaaS websites and the design thinking behind their features. Let's go SiteSeeing!

Here’s an exclusive look of our latest issue. ??

Light Mode vs. Dark Mode: Both Sides of the Debate??

Time to chime in on a major UX debate: Light mode vs Dark mode??

The battle between these two interface preferences comes down to countless factors that can influence a design decision. Unsure which side you’re on? Let’s break them down and see how leading SaaS brands implement each one!

On the Light Side

Light mode refers to dark text and elements on a light background, also described as positive contrast polarity. It’s the classic standard for most digital interfaces for good reason.

Pros -? Better Readability With a Clean Look

Light mode is more suitable for reading text. For normal vision users, lighter backgrounds allow readers to focus on the information at hand without straining their eyes. This high contrast is beneficial especially when you are featuring lengthy text or using smaller fonts.?

Light mode palettes are typically used when you’re going for natural, clean designs. Here are two outstanding examples of Light mode UI in SaaS:

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Lattice and Petal’s Light mode UI ensures text in important sections of the homepage–such as the nav bar and trust bar–are legible by keeping darker bold text on lighter backgrounds. The light background also accentuates each brand’s lively colors, making their hero and sections pop.??

Cons - Not Suited For Light-Sensitive Users

Light mode is not suitable for people with photophobia, a relatively common issue for people with low vision and extreme sensitivity to light.?

Though lighter backgrounds enhance many users' reading ability, they can bring discomfort to light-sensitive users, turn them away from your website, and ultimately lead to a rising bounce rate.

Now that you’ve been enlightened on what it’s like on the light side…

Welcome to the Dark Side

Muahahaha. Dark Mode, or night mode, refers to light text and elements displayed on a darker background—also known as negative contrast polarity. It continues to grow as one of today’s hottest UX design trends.

Pros - Inclusive Usability With a Bold Aesthetic

While light mode is not suited for light-sensitive users, dark mode maintains readability for people with heightened photosensitivity by reducing the light emitted by device screens.?

Common Dark mode palettes offer a more dramatic look that compliments striking visuals. Take a look at these two remarkable Dark mode UI examples:

Pipe and LaunchDarkly achieve a modern, luxurious aesthetic that can’t necessarily be conveyed with a light UI. Both leverage dark mode to draw users’ attention to important call-outs and sections, while balancing vibrant colors with darker backgrounds.

Cons - Poor Readability?

When viewing interfaces in light environments, we can run into a readability issue called Halation—or the blurriness that seems to appear around light text against a darker background. This can make small and long forms of text difficult to read, especially for nearsighted users.

So you’ve heard both sides of the debate, but still aren’t sure which one you prefer? Lucky for you, there’s a way for you to offer the best of both worlds.

Subscribe to learn about the advantages of offering both Light mode and Dark mode, as well as more helpful UX design tips!?

?? Let's keep this SiteSeeing tour going and check out more web designs that have stunning light and dark UI!

5 of the Best B2B SaaS Websites ??

A marketing website is the most powerful digital asset for a B2B SaaS company.

Simply put, your website is your only 24/7 salesperson. Beautifully designed and functional web experiences are essential to attract engagement, instill trust, and ultimately generate revenue.

On this SiteSeeing tour, we will uncover the design thinking behind 5 important pages of SaaS websites and the B2B brands that are executing them the best. Let’s go! ??

1. Hit a Homerun with Your Homepage like Scale AI

As the most viewed page on any website, your homepage is responsible for nailing a lasting impression on potential customers.?

Signs of a high-quality homepage:

?? An organized navigation bar

?? Clear, purposeful copywriting

?? Social proof - such as trust bars, reviews, or testimonials

?? Captivating illustrations

When we think of a memorable homepage, Scale AI ranks at the top of our list. Their use of 3D animations, bold headlines, and vibrant text captivates users and creates an organized navigation experience for potential customers. A clear winner in our books!

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2. Build a Quality Landing Page like HotJar

Saas landing pages are crucial for driving conversions, especially for product pages. Keep it straightforward so users can clearly understand your product’s unique features and are drawn towards the desired outcome (download, submission, etc).?

Top callouts for a SaaS landing page:?

?? An engaging yet concise headline

?? Compelling copy

?? Videos, FAQs, and other helpful content

?? A strategically placed CTA

?? Mobile friendly

What makes HotJar’s landing page a hit? For one, they do an amazing job of communicating their value proposition throughout the page.

From their use of large, bright typography to strategically placed CTA buttons, HotJar effectively educates users about their product without overwhelming them with information. 10/10!

3. Design a Phenomenal Price Page like Gusto

Your pricing page is a prime opportunity to convert visitors into paying customers. Our recommendation: prioritize readability, utilize moving components like dropdowns, and account for mobile design to guarantee all users a seamless page experience.

Key features of a SaaS pricing page:

?? An orderly pricing table

?? Toggles and tabs?

?? Free offerings

? An FAQ section

Gusto’s pricing model is a great example of how to make good use of pricing tables and subtle coloring to make each plan pop. The tooltips are a clever addition for including additional text without overcrowding the pricing tier box.?

Their extensive FAQ section uses collapsing drop-downs to ensure potential customers find all the answers to their questions without the information overload. Well done!

4. Captivate Talent Like ClickUp’s Careers Page

Whether your organization is in a hiring phase or not, an appealing careers page is crucial to nail. It’s your biggest opportunity to showcase your company’s mission, values, and culture.?

Things that make a SaaS careers page stand out:

?? A compelling mission statement

?? Filtering by role, department, or location.

?? Social proof, such as testimonials or awards

??? Perks and benefits

When it comes to outstanding careers pages, ClickUp takes the cake, and here’s why. The combination of large bold typography and vibrant illustrations not only grabs the attention of potential candidates, but it makes their mission and core values easy to find. Truly a page that draws any prospective employee to learn more about life at ClickUp!

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5. Nail an Intuitive Integration Page like Retool

The integration listing page is the main gateway for businesses to learn if a new product can integrate with their existing tech stack. Pro tip: Include trust bars, FAQs, and other helpful content to support your integration and increase conversions.?

Ways to elevate your integrations page:

?? A sleek arrangement?

?? Search functionality and categorization

?? Visual identities (like logos) for integration partners

?? A straightforward user flow

Retool’s integration page checks off all the boxes for being simple and sleek, ensuring users a flawless navigation experience. Their success can be tied to solid design, programmatic SEO, and precisely addressing a user’s search intent. Hats off to Retool for nailing an intuitive integration page!

Keep that inspiration flowing and discover five more of the best SaaS web pages! From the best blog listing page to web3 designs, we got you covered. Happy SiteSeeing!

Looking for more UI/UX design tips and tricks? ?? We got you covered in the next edition. Until next time, happy designing!

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