Importance of empty states in user trust

Empty states are one of the most underrated—and most influential—moments in product design. They seem harmless: a new user with no data, a cleared inbox, a failed search. But these blank moments are where doubt creeps in… or confidence gets built. Done well, they orient, guide, and reassure. Done poorly, they leave users confused or stalled. UX leaders like IBM, Nielsen Norman Group, and Toptal have all emphasized their value: → IBM calls them “a way to keep a user on a productive path.” → Apple built them into UIKit. → Toptal sees them as part onboarding, part delight. And yet, many products still leave users staring at: “Nothing here.” Or worse—nothing at all. Here’s what the best empty states do: → Explain what’s happening and why → Offer a clear next step → Match tone and structure to the scenario → Follow your layout grid and style guide → Use visuals with purpose → Add just enough personality to feel human If that sounds like a lot of care for a “blank” screen… it is. But these are the moments where trust is built—or broken. #uxdesign #productdesign #emptystates ⸻ 👋 Hi, I’m Dane—I love sharing design insights. ❤️ Found this helpful? 'Like’ it to support me. 🔄 Share to help others (& save for later). ➕ Follow me for more like this, posted daily.

Let’s talk about empty states One of the most overlooked parts of a product Designers often treat them like placeholders A lonely icon A short “You have no items yet” line Sometimes a basic description And that’s it But here’s the truth Empty states are a huge opportunity to move your product forward, help your users win, and support the business Think about it When a screen is empty, it’s because the user hasn’t taken a key action yet An action your product likely needs them to take Whether it’s saving a link, adding a product or creating a task, your product depends on that moment And so does the business That’s why I’ve started thinking about empty states differently Not as passive moments But as active levers for: 🟡 Product goals - guiding users to take that first action that unlocks value 🟡 Business goals - reducing drop-off, increasing engagement, activating users faster 🟡 User needs - educating, reducing confusion, showing what success looks like Design isn’t just about making things pretty It’s about bridging user needs and business outcomes And empty states are one of the most underused ways to do that So the next time you’re designing one, pause and ask: ❓What action do we want the user to take? ❓What’s stopping them? ❓How can we help them feel confident and curious instead of lost? Then design your empty state to do that job Because every screen should be working for the product Even and especially the ones that feel “empty” P.S This is one of the new empty states on Cleeve that inspired this post It's a tool that is gradually becoming the place to save all your content: images, links, PDFs, videos, audio and more

Designing the Post-Onboarding Experience: Why Empty States and Walkthroughs Matter Following onboarding, the very first screen a user interacts with is crucial. It sets expectations and has a significant impact on how they engage with the product going forward. This is where empty states and guided walkthroughs come into play. Empty dashboards often get overlooked or left blank when there's no data available. In reality, they present a valuable chance to guide, educate, and activate users. Here are a few principles I apply when designing these moments (examples in my attached work) 🔹 Use Quick Actions: Give users something to do immediately (e.g., create a payment link, request withdrawal). It builds momentum. 🔹 Show To-Dos or Tips: Instead of leaving blank space, provide guided next steps that help users find value faster. 🔹 Celebrate Potential, Not Just Progress: Empty dashboards can still feel engaging with microcopy, visuals, or motivational text that says, “Here’s what you can achieve.” 🔹 Offer a Walkthrough: A simple modal or checklist can reduce friction. Let users know where to start, what to explore, and how they’ll benefit. 🔹 Think Retention, Not Just Activation: First impressions don’t end at sign-up. How you design the post-onboarding journey determines whether users stay or churn. How does your product handle empty states? Do you treat them as placeholders or as a chance to delight and guide your users? #UXDesign #ProductDesign #EmptyStates #Onboarding #UserExperience

Empty states, or the stuff you show when you don't have anything to show, are one of the most overlooked aspects of good UX. Here's why... ✨ They can deliver a delight in the first impression: When users encounter an empty state, it's a moment that can either engage them or push them away. A well-designed empty state highlights what the thing is about and what you can do. 👀 They drive user engagement: Instead of a blank page, empty states can highlight the value of your product, offer tips, or showcase next steps. ♻️ They can reduce churn: Sounds lofty for what's essentially an empty page, but when you're dropped into a poor empty state, the likelihood of you getting frustrated and leaving is markedly higher. 🔥 They're an opportunity to reinforce your brand: A well designed empty state reinforces your brand’s voice and personality. Playful copy, and brand-aligned tone of voice makes a big difference. It's easy to focus on design when the product is in full use, but nailing those first-touch, no-data versions is just as critical. Here's a sneak peek at the draft design for our dashboard homepage when nothing's going on—still a work in progress, but feeling directionally solid. 😊

"Now what?" That's what users say when they first open your product. Then they leave. Forever. The data is brutal: - 77% of users abandon apps within 3 days - 50% never return after first login You have 50 milliseconds to make a first impression. And the first impression are usually your Empty States. Your empty states matter more than your fancy features. Here's what I mean: Bad empty state: - "No data to show" [User leaves] Good empty state: - Show what's possible - Add sample data - Guide to first action - Reduce confusion [User succeeds] The truth? Users don't abandon products because features are missing. They leave because they can't imagine how those features will help them. At what part of the process do you think about Empty States in your design?

Most products don’t lose trust because of one big mistake. They lose it in the small moments. Remember these 4 UX details to instantly build trust ↓ 💬 Input Feedback Let users know their actions are working. → Highlight active fields → Show validation in real time → Disable buttons until conditions are met ✅ Confirmations When someone does something, acknowledge it. → “Saved” status messages → Toasts for actions like uploads or settings changes → Email confirmations with real timestamps 🖥️ Thoughtful Empty States Don’t say “No data.” → Guide the user: “You haven’t added anything yet. Try uploading a file.” → Use icons, soft visuals, or mini walkthroughs 😶 Loading & Progress Feedback Silence during a wait = anxiety. → Add skeleton states → Use “Estimated time” if loading is long → Show real progress (% or steps) Trust is built through consistency and care — especially in the moments users might not notice but would definitely feel if they were missing. Design those moments with intention ✨