How Important Is UX Design for Startups?
Why do some apps keep you hooked while others don’t? Well, it often comes down to the user experience design process. But despite us experiencing its importance daily, many startups still overlook UX design, missing out, as nine out of ten users abandon a product due to poor performance.
We’ve teamed up with our design expert Nikita Korotkevych, who brings over eight years of digital design experience. Together with us here at Busy Rebel, we’re sharing some key insights we’ve gained from over 50 UX design projects for startups.
Good UX Design Minimizes Churn
As Nikita puts it, “A stakeholder might be well-versed in the business aspects of the product, but often they overlook the fact that the target audience has different habits, goals, and perceptions of the interface.”
This disconnect means that decisions are based more on the stakeholders’ preferences rather than on what users actually want – leading to churn.
To bridge this gap, UX needs to be designed through the lens of what your audience will love. And you shouldn’t stop at just one idea, either. Most startups that find success with their audience, build multiple prototypes to find the best fit. When you see it as a collaborative journey between your stakeholder-desires and potential beta users, the co-creation process can ensure that the final design captures what you’re both looking for.
This way, the product not only meets business goals but also keeps users coming back.
UX Increases Product-Led Growth Possibilities
Aside from minimizing churn, UX for startups also has incredible potential for product growth, aka Product-Led Growth (PLG). Nikita highlights that “even with a small budget, techniques like in-depth interviews, usability testing, and audience surveys can uncover crucial insights into user problems, motivations, and goals.” This is essential for startups to ensure their product lives up to their promises.
PLG focuses on continuous iteration, where the product drives user acquisition, expansion, conversion, and retention. The product is the core driver of long-term growth.
Assembling the Right Team for Product Success
Poor UX design is just one factor that causes 90% of new tech products to fail. So, while UX design for startups is important, it’s not the only thing you need for product success. You need a strong team to understand that.
“It’s crucial to pay careful attention to the skills and specialization of the designers you hire, as their expertise directly impacts the success and future of the project,” Nikita adds.
“A crucial insight is that a designer is not merely someone who crafts and hands off an interface for development; they must communicate effectively with all team members, regardless of role. This skill is crucial for immersing themselves in the industry and product specifics, allowing them to validate decisions across different expertise levels.”
Make your team your greatest asset. With effective communication front and center, your team can ensure that everyone’s actions are in line with the project’s goals throughout the process.
We're Excited to Be along for the Ride
We hope you found this Quick Read useful. If your startup has designed UX that your audience loves, you already have a head start. However, if you’ve found yourself reading this because you need a second opinion, our team might just be what you need. At Busy Rebel, we turn ideas into winning MVPs and software designs that tackle your biggest challenges.
A lot is changing in our industry, but having humans you can trust is at the core of UX design that works. We even made a whitepaper about this. See how humans play a big role in software design and how things are changing fast.
