If you clicked on this article, you must have some understanding of SaaS but are unsure of how and where to find the right designer to fulfill your business needs. This article will act as a guide to help you better understand what to look out for when hiring a quality SaaS Designer.
Brief Overview of SaaS
Software as a service first began in 1999 with companies like Salesforce, who identified a gap in the market and decided to offer cloud-based services on the Internet.
There were initial challenges with getting companies to trust SaaS Companies with their company data, but with time SaaS has become the default way of functioning both for personal and business use.
From sending emails to watching Netflix on your laptop, Many of your daily activities are done on the SaaS platform, even without your knowledge. If we were to define SaaS, it would be a cloud-based platform that provides services to users on the Internet for a fee. There are different pricing models for SaaS, which we will get into later on.
What does a SaaS designer do?
Before hiring a SaaS designer, it is important to get the facts straight. Who is a SaaS designer, and what are their roles and responsibilities?
A SaaS Designer works on the entire design process for a SaaS application. They will look at both the user experience and interface design to optimize the end product better. They are responsible for how your users interact with the end product.
Depending on your organization, you may hire one designer to manage the entire design and development process or have a designer specifically focus on the UI/UX of your platform.
What should you look for when hiring a SaaS designer?
A SaaS designer has many responsibilities when it comes to creating a SaaS product. From the ideation stage to the involvement of how the product is being developed.
A SaaS designer will provide input on how they envision the product to be. Before hiring a designer, try to understand their design process and whether they are capable of taking on these responsibilities when building your platform. Let's examine the different roles and responsibilities that a SaaS designer is in charge of.
Creating user-friendly interfaces
Perhaps the most important skill for designers is the ability to gauge how potential users will interact with the product. Good design intends to create function. When a platform has good design, users don't think too much about the navigation or the speed; they just use the product.
On the other hand, if the designer has a very complex and difficult navigational system, suddenly, the user is made away from the system and its design.
Understanding user behavior and possessing the skill and empathy needed to connect with the user's perspective is crucial to a SaaS designer's job. Look for designers who are inquisitive and interested in user research. They design from the perspective of functionality, not just aesthetics. Look at the portfolio to see if they have incorporated user-centric design in the past.
Conducting user research
Designers can only create a good user interface by researching and understanding who they are designing for. A designer's research process is never over. They should be constantly updating themselves on the latest information and finding new ways to innovate.
Having said that, the initial user research is quite different from product research. it requires an in-depth understanding of the target audience. Figuring out how a user will navigate your platform, what challenges they will anticipate while using it, and how you can use interface and user experience as seamlessly as possible while incorporating the company's brand identity and unique design.
There are many different types of user research, including sending out surveys, conducting interviews, and researching data that is already available online. The kind of research your designer undergoes depends on a few factors, like timeline, budget, and the type of product you are creating.
Creating wireframes and prototypes
A wireframe is essentially an outline of the platform. It's a way to focus on your product's main components, whether it is an application or an online platform, without worrying too much about the details or the design. Once you have the wireframe ready, add more information.
When SaaS designers add this step to their product creation process, they can think more deeply about the user experience and layout before they fixate on the aesthetics or other secondary details.
A prototype is a mock-up of your final product. Giving your designers the time to create prototypes and iterations is an important step in creating a well-designed product. When they have a chance to create multiple versions of the final product, not only are they pushing their creative boundaries, but they are also anticipating any future problems the users might encounter while interacting with your product.
Incorporating design principles to have a good design experience
Dieter Rams, one of the most influential product designers in the world and most well-known for his simple yet functional design for Braun, famously said:
"you cannot understand good design if you do not understand people; design is made for people. "
Hiring a SaaS designer who has an extensive knowledge of good and bad design principles is essential to consider when you begin to start hiring.
Here are some good SaaS design principles to keep in mind when hiring a SaaS designer for your business:
- Focus on the users: It seems obvious that designers should focus on their users when working on any SaaS product, but executing this process is much harder than one thinks. Not all your potential customers will have the same interests, the same way of navigating your platform, or the same experience when using your product. This is where user research comes in handy.
- Good navigation system: Imagine a user who comes across your product and is excited to use it for their business. When they come onto your platform, they are overwhelmed by all the features. There should be a hierarchy based on each feature's importance. Sometimes, less is better. Revealing only important features can be a great skill for a designer. Many companies like Notion and Grammarly are known for their simple UI design, which allows users to conceal features they don't find useful to avoid unnecessary clutter and distraction.
- Quick and easy registration process: When it comes to signing up new customers. Make the process as easy and simple as possible. Asking for unnecessary personal information or having a tedious signup process will only deter users from giving your product a shot.
- Easy Onboarding: The ease of use is an important factor for users. If there is a complicated onboarding process that takes users a long time to understand how to use your product, they are less likely to put that effort or incorporate your product into their lives.
Usability testing and feedback
Doing user research at the initial stages is not enough. Once your product is ready, you need to ensure that your potential customer base also agrees.
User testing can happen during multiple phases—the ideation stage, the prototyping phase, and the final product phase when the product is ready to be released into the market.
This is a crucial step and requires a designer who knows how to get unbiased feedback from their users.
Following best practices and keeping up with industry trends
There are many best practices when it comes to creating a SaaS Platform. Some of the topics we discussed earlier, like good navigation and ease of use, but there is a lesser-known best practice: honesty in your design.
As humans, we will always take inspiration from each other. An original idea is perhaps a myth, but a designer should always strive to innovate and create something of value for their users. Don't just take something that you see and copy-paste it. Try to find out how you can make it better.
When it comes to design, the principles are timeless; the only thing that changes is the way of designing. Understanding different types of user needs, primary and secondary, can help your business stand out with your product.
Designers should always keep up with the latest trends even if they aren't necessarily implementing them. There's always something new that you take away from it. Why are the users drawn to this particular feature? How does it add value to the lives of the users?
These are questions that a designer should incorporate in their brainstorming session.
Consistency in design and branding
Designers should always be user-focused, but at the same time, they should also find ways to incorporate the identity of your business. This can be done through color, logos, copy, and design elements.
Maintaining brand identity across all designs can be a real challenge. As, you might caught up in finding new and better ways to design. While this can be an exciting creative endeavor, it is important to ensure that users are able to connect each design to your brand.
If you keep changing the design style, it will be hard for your users to keep track of who you are as a brand. Inconsistent design reflects a sense of confusion about brand identity.
At the same time, you don't want to overdo it by plastering your brand logo and illustrations all over your product either. Consistency and balance is key. Find designers who aren't one-size-fits-all thinkers. They understand the story behind your brand and can execute it in their designs.
Essential Skills to Look for in a SaaS Designer
Skills to look out for:
- UX Design
- UI Design
- Responsive Web Design
- Prototyping and Wireframing
- User Behaviour and Psychology
- Interaction Design
- Visual Design
- Front End Development
- Usability Testing
- Cross-Platform Design
- Brand Identity
Where to find the right SaaS designer?
1. Versatile
Looking for a top SaaS Designer? You are in luck! At Versatile, we help businesses like yours hire the best SaaS designers without the long-drawn process that traditional hiring requires. Our hiring process streamlines the entire recruiting cycle so you can start onboarding your designer in less than a week.
As a business, you may post a job on Linkedin or Indeed with the hopes that out of tens and thousands of applications, a handful of resumes might hit the mark. You initially expected to find someone within the month, but after reposting ads, you've given up. We know how you feel, so we have a better solution for you. Let us handle your hiring so you can focus on the bigger picture.
We take care of everything right from screening applications to conducting technical and culture fit interviews so you can choose from the best. If you are confused about whether you want a full-time designer or a freelancer, we have all the options available.
Our database of selected designers have worked for some of the top companies and are the best in their field. If all of that doesn't sound good we can help you save 2x ROI on talent spend. Our hiring process is personalized for your specific business needs.
A drawback with Versatile is that companies looking for non-Indian designers may have to look elsewhere. Since the company is based out of India, it can be a challenge when working with international clients to match the timezone in the USA.
Let us help you find the right designer for your SaaS business. If you have doubts about hiring and want to determine whether you really need to hire a SaaS designer, let's get on a call and choose the best strategy for your business.
Book a consultation call to discuss a strategy for hiring the right SaaS Designer.
Link: https://calendly.com/versatile_find_the_right_designer/30min
2.Toptal
Toptal is a great marketplace for hiring freelance designers. They focus on finding the 3% top talent by streamlining their hiring process. You can hire on a trial period to see if your designer is a good match for the project you have in mind.
You can view each designer's portfolio on their website to gauge their skill level and experience. The portfolio also lists the languages and skills that the designer is proficient in.
Their process starts with talking to a Toptal consultant about your hiring needs.
After that, you can get a top SaaS designer within 24 hours to figure out your work compatibility and pay once you feel they are a right fit for your business. Because there is a trial period before you hire, it reduces the risk and allows you to commit when you are satisfied with the work.
The drawback with Toptal is that their hiring and talent costs are much higher than their competition. If you are a startup or a small business, it may be difficult for you to find a designer within your given budget.
Another downside is that because of the specialized talent that is offered on their platform it may be harder to find designers for small projects who are from non-specialized backgrounds.
3.Guru
Guru provides clients with top SaaS freelancers from all over the world, from Bangalore to Moldova. Since they have an extensive database of over 3,284 SaaS designers, there are many options to choose from. You can find each SaaS designer's price and select them based on your budget and preferences.
Clients can also provide their feedback on the experience they had with designers which can help clients decide which designers to choose and also allow freelancers to improve upon any constructive criticism and vice versa.
The extensive database also means it can be challenging to find the right designs you are looking for on a given timeline as there are endless options. Previous users of Guru have experienced issues with the payment system.
4.Remote OK
Remote OK works similarly to Guru that is it is a marketplace of freelance SaaS designers that you can choose from based on their experience level and your preferences. You add the specific skills that you are looking for, and it will give you the results of the designers who match that skill set.
You can also filter based on the language the designer speaks and their availability to work. Each designer's task is available on their profile, so there is no confusion. The designers have customized profiles that showcase their individual personalities and experience levels.
For companies that need to hire designers quickly and don't have the time to go through all the profiles, it becomes a task to sift through countless designer profiles. Another drawback is that there aren’t that many customizations based on your specific business needs.
Onboarding Your SaaS Designer
Say that you found the SaaS Designer you were looking for. Now, you can start the onboarding process. The onboarding of a freelancer or a full-timer is a crucial step that will dictate the entire success of your project. Be sure to keep these tips in mind before you begin the onboarding process.
- Setting clear expectations and goals - If you are unclear on what you want from the designer and state vague expectations, you are bound to confuse them and get an unsatisfactory end product. Setting clear targets and providing clarity on your expectations will help your designer get a better idea of what to expect from you. At the same time, asking the moon and stars on a very tight deadline can become chaotic before you know it. Give your designer some time to get used to the project and set realistic timelines.
- Proving necessary resources and tools - If you don't provide the designer with the right documentation and processes, they won't have all the information needed to get where you want them to be. Make sure that you have all the documentation organized. Create a project management sheet so you keep track of all their tasks, and know exactly what is expected of them. The same goes for tools that are necessary for the SaaS designer to do their job. Try to be accommodating of the designer if it's not a hindrance; let them use tools that have worked well for them in the past.
- Create a space for collaboration and constructive feedback - Consistent feedback and iteration are part of the learning process. If you don't make mistakes, you will stay stagnant as a designer. However, as a manager or a team leader, it is important that you not criticize but provide clear feedback in a constructive way so that designers know how they can improve and get better. If there is constant criticism, it may lead designers to make mistakes without being transparent with you about the challenges they are facing.
As the popularity of SaaS platforms grows, so will the demand for designers who specialize in this field. Knowing how to identify the right designer who has the skills and empathy needed to understand users is key.
A good product is less about a great idea and more about how well it is executed, and that comes from both a collaborative environment and a designer who understands who they are designing for.
If you are interested in learning more about SaaS Design, read the article on Best Practices for SaaS Design and 13 Best SaaS Websites to Get Inspiration From.
