There’s something almost magical about a design that just works. It feels effortless, intuitive, and even a little obvious—but any designer will tell you that simplicity is far from simple to achieve.
In UX, we’re often asked to make things “simple and easy to use.” But what’s often overlooked is the work it takes to get there. Simplicity isn’t about cutting features at random or dumbing things down. It’s about finding the core of what your product does and making that the star of the show.
But let’s be honest—this is where things can get tricky.
If you’re in SaaS, you know how often ideas come flying in. A client wants this feature. A stakeholder thinks that integration will give them an edge. Someone in the team is excited about adding a new dashboard because, why not?
All these extras usually come with good intentions, but without a clear plan, they pile up fast. The result? A product that tries to do everything but struggles to do anything well.
As a UX strategist, I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming it can get when no one wants to say “no.” But here’s the thing: saying “no” isn’t about limiting possibilities—it’s about protecting your user.
The heart of simplicity lies in focus. What’s the one thing your product does better than anyone else? What problem are you solving for your users?
Everything else has to earn its spot. If it doesn’t directly support your product’s main goal, it’s noise. And noise is the enemy of good UX.
Here’s what works for me:
Start with clarity: Before any project begins, everyone involved needs to agree on the product’s primary goal. When that’s locked in, it becomes easier to filter out distractions later.
Let data guide decisions: It’s tempting to add features based on opinions, but the data doesn’t lie. Look at what your users actually need and use.
Design for flow: The best designs feel like they’re leading users down a clear path, step by step. If a feature makes that path less clear, it might not belong.
For SaaS companies, simplicity isn’t just a design choice—it’s a business advantage. A focused, user-friendly product is easier to adopt, more intuitive to use, and more likely to delight customers.
When a SaaS product feels too complex or overloaded, users hesitate. And hesitation in the world of subscriptions often leads to churn.
On the other hand, a product with a clear, straightforward user experience builds trust. It communicates: “We understand your problem, and we’re here to solve it.”
Simplicity is hard because it requires discipline. It’s tempting to please everyone, to say yes to every request, to add just “one more thing.”
But great UX comes from restraint. It’s about cutting through the clutter to make space for what truly matters.
So, how do you stay focused on simplicity when the requests keep coming?
