Nathan J. Powell
@nathanjpowell.bsky.social
Exited my SaaS in 2019 and quit the internet. Three years later, I came back from the dead. Running Beyond the Pixel, UX Design Studio.
Be green. Use our plastic cups.
Small print on cup reads, “May not be recyclable in your country.”
Small print on cup reads, “May not be recyclable in your country.”
March 11, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Be green. Use our plastic cups.
Small print on cup reads, “May not be recyclable in your country.”
Small print on cup reads, “May not be recyclable in your country.”
Instant inline validation is a source of pressure and frustration for new users. Give them time before you pounce!
It's also a pet peeve :(
It's also a pet peeve :(
February 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Instant inline validation is a source of pressure and frustration for new users. Give them time before you pounce!
It's also a pet peeve :(
It's also a pet peeve :(
So, talking about your work does...work.
Yesterday, I announced on 3 platforms that I rarely engage with that I'd launched a newsletter. I've already had several people subscribe 😀
In case you missed it:
Yesterday, I announced on 3 platforms that I rarely engage with that I'd launched a newsletter. I've already had several people subscribe 😀
In case you missed it:
The Onboarding and UX Newsletter for SaaS Founders
The free newsletter for SaaS founders: Fix onboarding, activation, retention, and beyond. Battle-tested solutions each week.
buff.ly
February 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
So, talking about your work does...work.
Yesterday, I announced on 3 platforms that I rarely engage with that I'd launched a newsletter. I've already had several people subscribe 😀
In case you missed it:
Yesterday, I announced on 3 platforms that I rarely engage with that I'd launched a newsletter. I've already had several people subscribe 😀
In case you missed it:
They say better late than never—so here we are! I’m launching a newsletter for SaaS founders about the dark art of Onboarding and the critical first few minutes of a new user’s journey.
Practical advice and zero design jargon—just clear, actionable insights you can use. Link below...
Practical advice and zero design jargon—just clear, actionable insights you can use. Link below...
The Onboarding and UX Newsletter for SaaS Founders
The free newsletter for SaaS founders: Fix onboarding, activation, retention, and beyond. Battle-tested solutions each week.
beyondthepixel.studio
February 13, 2025 at 4:27 PM
They say better late than never—so here we are! I’m launching a newsletter for SaaS founders about the dark art of Onboarding and the critical first few minutes of a new user’s journey.
Practical advice and zero design jargon—just clear, actionable insights you can use. Link below...
Practical advice and zero design jargon—just clear, actionable insights you can use. Link below...
When it comes to portfolio/studio websites, do you prefer photographic headshots to graphics?
My avatar is used throughout my website except for the About page. What do you prefer to see when potentially hiring a service provider?
My avatar is used throughout my website except for the About page. What do you prefer to see when potentially hiring a service provider?
January 27, 2025 at 11:59 AM
When it comes to portfolio/studio websites, do you prefer photographic headshots to graphics?
My avatar is used throughout my website except for the About page. What do you prefer to see when potentially hiring a service provider?
My avatar is used throughout my website except for the About page. What do you prefer to see when potentially hiring a service provider?
Whenever I look back at Feature Flux, I get a little sad. I think there was something in that idea. But I guess I wasn't able to articulate its value. 😞
Feature Flux: Get specific feedback on your product designs.
Product design presentations in minutes. Create multiple presentations from one design file, add custom prompts and get specific stakeholder feedback.
buff.ly
January 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Whenever I look back at Feature Flux, I get a little sad. I think there was something in that idea. But I guess I wasn't able to articulate its value. 😞
Yet, if we look at other areas of SaaS, such as marketing or even good old generic "UX," there's an ocean of titles to sort through.
So, what gives?
So, what gives?
January 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Yet, if we look at other areas of SaaS, such as marketing or even good old generic "UX," there's an ocean of titles to sort through.
So, what gives?
So, what gives?
Why are there so few books about User Onboarding? Isn't it make or break for any SaaS product?
There seem to be 3 main options:
Product-Led Onboarding by Wes Bush and Ramli John
The Elements of User Onboarding by Samuel Hulick
Onboarding Matters by Donna Weber
There seem to be 3 main options:
Product-Led Onboarding by Wes Bush and Ramli John
The Elements of User Onboarding by Samuel Hulick
Onboarding Matters by Donna Weber
January 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Why are there so few books about User Onboarding? Isn't it make or break for any SaaS product?
There seem to be 3 main options:
Product-Led Onboarding by Wes Bush and Ramli John
The Elements of User Onboarding by Samuel Hulick
Onboarding Matters by Donna Weber
There seem to be 3 main options:
Product-Led Onboarding by Wes Bush and Ramli John
The Elements of User Onboarding by Samuel Hulick
Onboarding Matters by Donna Weber
An interesting take on the imminent death of SaaS as we know it, from Diego Menchaca.
How will founders build a moat around their product? Can they?
How will founders build a moat around their product? Can they?
AI will make closed source software obsolete
Generative AI is democratizing knowledge to the point were closed source software will become medieval. I may be wrong but here is my rant on why I think the days of closed source software are…
buff.ly
January 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
An interesting take on the imminent death of SaaS as we know it, from Diego Menchaca.
How will founders build a moat around their product? Can they?
How will founders build a moat around their product? Can they?
More spending ≠ better results if you're not aligned with what your customers need.
This means user onboarding is critical. Your SaaS is just one part of the bigger picture. Listen to your users. Understand what success looks like and make your product an essential part of that success.
This means user onboarding is critical. Your SaaS is just one part of the bigger picture. Listen to your users. Understand what success looks like and make your product an essential part of that success.
December 18, 2024 at 4:27 PM
More spending ≠ better results if you're not aligned with what your customers need.
This means user onboarding is critical. Your SaaS is just one part of the bigger picture. Listen to your users. Understand what success looks like and make your product an essential part of that success.
This means user onboarding is critical. Your SaaS is just one part of the bigger picture. Listen to your users. Understand what success looks like and make your product an essential part of that success.
In case you're still on the fence about the importance of User Onboarding:
60% of US enterprise software companies have a Customer Success team (up from 40% four years ago). However, 75% of those companies have seen their net revenue retention (NRR) rates drop since 2022...
60% of US enterprise software companies have a Customer Success team (up from 40% four years ago). However, 75% of those companies have seen their net revenue retention (NRR) rates drop since 2022...
December 18, 2024 at 4:27 PM
In case you're still on the fence about the importance of User Onboarding:
60% of US enterprise software companies have a Customer Success team (up from 40% four years ago). However, 75% of those companies have seen their net revenue retention (NRR) rates drop since 2022...
60% of US enterprise software companies have a Customer Success team (up from 40% four years ago). However, 75% of those companies have seen their net revenue retention (NRR) rates drop since 2022...
Ever heard of the ‘Interaction and Feedback loop?’
It’s about what users expect vs what actually happens during interactions.
Inconsistent loops? A fast way to lose user trust. Getting them right boosts retention and revenue.
It’s about what users expect vs what actually happens during interactions.
Inconsistent loops? A fast way to lose user trust. Getting them right boosts retention and revenue.
How Consistent Interaction and Feedback loops Improve Your SaaS
Inconsistent interaction and feedback loops hurt users' trust. Learn how consistent loops can improve your SaaS UX, reduce churn, and keep users happy.
buff.ly
December 18, 2024 at 10:59 AM
Ever heard of the ‘Interaction and Feedback loop?’
It’s about what users expect vs what actually happens during interactions.
Inconsistent loops? A fast way to lose user trust. Getting them right boosts retention and revenue.
It’s about what users expect vs what actually happens during interactions.
Inconsistent loops? A fast way to lose user trust. Getting them right boosts retention and revenue.
What was the last app you signed up for that left you thinking, "What now? What do I have to do?" You don't need to tag them, but I'd love to hear about it.
December 17, 2024 at 4:27 PM
What was the last app you signed up for that left you thinking, "What now? What do I have to do?" You don't need to tag them, but I'd love to hear about it.
So, I haven't put my prices up since forever, and let's face it, life has gotten expensive. On January 1st, I'll be increasing prices across the board.
When was the last time you increased your rates? How did it go?
When was the last time you increased your rates? How did it go?
December 16, 2024 at 10:59 AM
So, I haven't put my prices up since forever, and let's face it, life has gotten expensive. On January 1st, I'll be increasing prices across the board.
When was the last time you increased your rates? How did it go?
When was the last time you increased your rates? How did it go?
Old isn’t always good… although usually it is better 😅
December 14, 2024 at 2:26 PM
Old isn’t always good… although usually it is better 😅
I'm writing a post on Interaction and Feedback loops in SaaS. I'd like to recommend some solid design systems that are as future-proof as possible. Any suggestions?
December 12, 2024 at 4:27 PM
I'm writing a post on Interaction and Feedback loops in SaaS. I'd like to recommend some solid design systems that are as future-proof as possible. Any suggestions?
Of course, you are...as you should ;)
December 12, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Of course, you are...as you should ;)
If it's background noise I'm looking for, I'll put Netflix on. If I actively want to watch something, it's usually YouTube.
December 12, 2024 at 12:10 PM
If it's background noise I'm looking for, I'll put Netflix on. If I actively want to watch something, it's usually YouTube.
It happens with everything I write. Second guessing is a tiny dot in the rearview mirror... It's why I’m the furthest thing from being a prolific writer.
December 12, 2024 at 12:07 PM
It happens with everything I write. Second guessing is a tiny dot in the rearview mirror... It's why I’m the furthest thing from being a prolific writer.
When I launched Nusii (pre- @michaelkoper.com), I was adamant that the app and website be in Spanish. I wanted to give back to Spain. My Spanish designer friends told me I was crazy... I think it took a whole two weeks before I also caved and flipped to English 😂
December 12, 2024 at 12:03 PM
When I launched Nusii (pre- @michaelkoper.com), I was adamant that the app and website be in Spanish. I wanted to give back to Spain. My Spanish designer friends told me I was crazy... I think it took a whole two weeks before I also caved and flipped to English 😂
If you could watch an Onboarding Review/teardown of any SaaS, which would it be and why?
December 12, 2024 at 10:59 AM
If you could watch an Onboarding Review/teardown of any SaaS, which would it be and why?
I remember hearing about your snowboard store back in the day. You really are a slave to the grind in that type of business. Glad I came to my senses 😅
December 6, 2024 at 5:32 PM
I remember hearing about your snowboard store back in the day. You really are a slave to the grind in that type of business. Glad I came to my senses 😅
SaaS founders battle with the concept of white space. I think there's a tendency to think of it as wasted real estate.
Does anyone have examples of good and/or poor use of whitespace in SaaS design?
👉 Here are my musings on the subject:
Does anyone have examples of good and/or poor use of whitespace in SaaS design?
👉 Here are my musings on the subject:
Whitespace and SaaS design: How to improve User Experience
Discover how whitespace improves SaaS design, enhances usability, and creates a better user experience with these simple, actionable tips.
buff.ly
December 6, 2024 at 4:27 PM
SaaS founders battle with the concept of white space. I think there's a tendency to think of it as wasted real estate.
Does anyone have examples of good and/or poor use of whitespace in SaaS design?
👉 Here are my musings on the subject:
Does anyone have examples of good and/or poor use of whitespace in SaaS design?
👉 Here are my musings on the subject:
I recently considered opening an English-language bookstore in Madrid. It would be a creative space with expos, etc., but then it hit me: I don't want to work store hours!
December 4, 2024 at 7:21 AM
I recently considered opening an English-language bookstore in Madrid. It would be a creative space with expos, etc., but then it hit me: I don't want to work store hours!