Back to blog

Maximizing the use of negative space on your SaaS landing page

November 18, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

When it comes to creating a landing page for your SaaS product, you want it to be both visually appealing and effective in converting visitors into customers. While many marketers focus on cramming as much information as possible onto the page, the truth is that less can often be more. This is where the concept of negative space comes in. Negative space refers to the empty or unoccupied areas on a page, and when used effectively, can create a clean and sophisticated look that helps guide the user's eye to the most important elements on the page. In this article, we'll explore how you can make the most of negative space on your SaaS landing page to improve its overall design and increase conversions.

Understanding the concept of negative space

Negative space, also known as white space, refers to the empty or unoccupied areas on a page. It's the space between design elements such as text, images, and graphics. In the world of web design, negative space is often overlooked or considered an afterthought, but the truth is, it's just as important as the elements you include on your page. When used effectively, negative space can help create a clean, organized, and sophisticated look that makes your page more visually appealing and easier to navigate.

It can also help to draw the user's eye to the most important elements on the page, making it easier for them to understand the message you're trying to convey. So, when it comes to designing a landing page for your SaaS product, it's important to understand the concept of negative space and how it can be used to improve the overall look and feel of your page.

Personalize every website interaction
Try for free

Benefits of using negative space in landing page design

Using negative space in your landing page design can bring a host of benefits to your page and help to increase conversions. Here are some of the key benefits:

  1. Clarity and simplicity: Negative space helps to declutter your page and create a clean, organized, and simple look. This can make it easier for visitors to understand your message and focus on the most important elements on the page.

  2. Improved readability: Negative space can help to increase the readability of your text by making it easier for visitors to scan and comprehend the information you present.

  3. Increased engagement: A well-designed landing page with effective use of negative space can be more visually appealing and engaging for visitors, encouraging them to stay longer and explore your product.

  4. Better user experience: A landing page with a balanced and harmonious use of negative space can create a more enjoyable and user-friendly experience for visitors, which can improve the chances of them becoming customers.

  5. Professional look: Negative space can add a touch of sophistication and professionalism to your landing page, making it look more trustworthy and credible to potential customers.

In short, using negative space in your landing page design can bring a range of benefits that can help to improve the look and feel of your page, increase engagement, and ultimately, boost conversions.

Examples of effective use of negative space in SaaS landing pages

There are many different ways that negative space can be used effectively in SaaS landing pages, here are a few examples:

  1. Creating visual hierarchy: By using negative space to create visual contrast between different elements on the page, you can draw the user's eye to the most important information and help to establish a clear hierarchy of information.

  2. Highlighting calls to action: By using negative space to create visual separation around calls to action (such as "Sign Up" or "Learn More" buttons), you can make them stand out and increase the chances of visitors taking action.

  3. Creating balance: Negative space can be used to balance out the different elements on a page, making it look more harmonious and aesthetically pleasing.

  4. Focusing attention: By using negative space to surround a key image or piece of information, you can draw the user's attention to it and make it the focal point of the page.

  5. Breaking up text: By using negative space to break up large blocks of text, you can make your page easier to read and reduce eye strain for visitors.

These are just a few examples of how negative space can be used effectively in SaaS landing pages. The key is to use negative space thoughtfully and strategically to create a visually appealing and user-friendly page that effectively communicates your message and increases conversions.

How to determine the right amount of negative space for your page

Determining the right amount of negative space for your SaaS landing page can be a bit of an art, but there are some guidelines you can follow to ensure that you're using the right amount:

  1. Consider your brand and style: The amount of negative space that's right for your page will depend on the look and feel you're trying to achieve. Consider your brand and style guide to help determine the right amount of negative space for your page.

  2. Look at examples: Look at other SaaS landing pages for inspiration and take note of the amount of negative space they use. This can give you a good starting point for determining the right amount for your own page.

  3. Test and iterate: Don't be afraid to experiment with different amounts of negative space to see what works best for your page. Use analytics to track user engagement and make changes as needed to find the optimal amount.

  4. Keep it balanced: The key to using negative space effectively is to maintain a balanced and harmonious look. Avoid using too much negative space, which can make your page look sparse, or too little, which can make it look cluttered.

  5. Use guidelines: There are some general guidelines you can follow to determine the right amount of negative space for your page. A good rule of thumb is to aim for between 20-40% of your page to be negative space.

By considering these factors, you can determine the right amount of negative space for your SaaS landing page and create a visually appealing and user-friendly page that effectively communicates your message and increases conversions.

Tips for creating a balanced and harmonious use of negative space

Creating a balanced and harmonious use of negative space on your SaaS landing page is key to making it visually appealing and effective in converting visitors into customers. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

  1. Plan ahead: Before you start designing your page, take some time to plan out how you want to use negative space. Think about how you can use it to create visual contrast, highlight calls to action, balance out the different elements on your page, and so on.

  2. Consider proportions: When using negative space, it's important to consider the proportions of the different elements on your page. Aim for a balanced and harmonious look by ensuring that the negative space is proportional to the other elements on the page.

  3. Use grid systems: A grid system can be a helpful tool for creating a balanced and harmonious use of negative space. By using a grid, you can ensure that the different elements on your page are aligned and that there is a consistent amount of negative space between them.

  4. Experiment with different shapes: Negative space doesn't have to be limited to just the areas between elements on your page. Experiment with different shapes and sizes of negative space to create visual interest and draw the user's eye to specific elements.

  5. Be consistent: When using negative space, it's important to be consistent throughout your page. Ensure that the amount and placement of negative space is consistent from one section of the page to another to create a cohesive and harmonious look.

By following these tips, you can create a balanced and harmonious use of negative space on your SaaS landing page that makes it visually appealing and effective in converting visitors into customers.

Common mistakes to avoid when using negative space on a landing page

Using negative space effectively on your SaaS landing page can be a bit of a challenge, but by avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure that your page looks great and effectively communicates your message to visitors. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

  1. Overusing negative space: While negative space is an important design element, it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Overusing negative space can make your page look sparse and uninviting, so be careful not to use too much.

  2. Neglecting negative space: On the other hand, neglecting negative space can make your page look cluttered and overwhelming. Be sure to use enough negative space to create a clean, organized, and visually appealing page.

  3. Ignoring the importance of proportions: When using negative space, it's important to consider the proportions of the different elements on your page. Ignoring this can result in an unbalanced and unappealing page.

  4. Being inconsistent: Consistency is key when it comes to using negative space effectively. Avoid using different amounts and placement of negative space in different sections of your page to create a cohesive and harmonious look.

  5. Not testing and iterating: Don't be afraid to experiment with different amounts and placement of negative space to see what works best for your page. Use analytics to track user engagement and make changes as needed to find the optimal amount.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a SaaS landing page that effectively uses negative space to make it visually appealing and effective in converting visitors into customers.

Best practices for creating an attractive and user-friendly SaaS landing page with negative space

Creating an attractive and user-friendly SaaS landing page with negative space requires a combination of design skills and strategic thinking. Here are some best practices to follow:

  1. Plan ahead: Before you start designing your page, take some time to plan out how you want to use negative space. Think about how you can use it to create visual contrast, highlight calls to action, balance out the different elements on your page, and so on.

  2. Consider your brand and style: The look and feel of your page should reflect your brand and style guide. Consider these elements when deciding on the amount and placement of negative space on your page.

  3. Use a grid system: A grid system can be a helpful tool for creating a balanced and harmonious use of negative space. By using a grid, you can ensure that the different elements on your page are aligned and that there is a consistent amount of negative space between them.

  4. Experiment with different shapes: Negative space doesn't have to be limited to just the areas between elements on your page. Experiment with different shapes and sizes of negative space to create visual interest and draw the user's eye to specific elements.

  5. Highlight calls to action: Make sure that calls to action (such as "Sign Up" or "Learn More" buttons) are prominent and clearly visible on your page. Use negative space to create visual separation around these elements to make them stand out.

  6. Be consistent: When using negative space, it's important to be consistent throughout your page. Ensure that the amount and placement of negative space is consistent from one section of the page to another to create a cohesive and harmonious look.

  7. Test and iterate: Don't be afraid to experiment with different amounts and placement of negative space to see what works best for your page. Use analytics to track user engagement and make changes as needed to find the optimal amount.

By following these best practices, you can create an attractive and user-friendly SaaS landing page with negative space that effectively communicates your message and increases conversions.

Final thoughts

Negative space, also known as white space, is an important design element that can make a big impact on the look and feel of your SaaS landing page. When used effectively, negative space can create a clean, organized, and sophisticated look that makes your page more visually appealing and easier to navigate. It can also help to draw the user's eye to the most important elements on the page, making it easier for them to understand the message you're trying to convey.

To maximize the use of negative space on your landing page, consider your brand and style guide, experiment with different shapes and sizes of negative space, use a grid system, highlight calls to action, be consistent, and test and iterate to find the optimal amount. By following these tips, you can create an attractive and user-friendly landing page that effectively communicates your message and increases conversions.

Want to personalize your landing pages for better conversions? Try Markettailor for free.


Related posts

How to use user recordings to optimize your SaaS landing page

As a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business, your landing page is the first thing potential customers see when they visit your website. It's the first impression they'll have of your product, and it's crucial to make it count. So, how can you optimize your landing page to convert more visitors into...

Read more

Maximizing the use of white space on your SaaS landing page

Have you ever visited a website that felt cluttered and overwhelming, with too many elements competing for your attention? Chances are, you didn't stick around for long. As a SaaS business owner or marketer, you want to avoid this scenario at all costs, especially when it comes to your landing...

Read more