If you’re in AI SaaS, check these 3 things

My team and I redesigned Cluely’s entire product UX. It’s the AI assistant that suggests answers during live meetings.

Cluely raised a $15M round led by a16z and was covered by TechCrunch and Fortune. Its founder reported around 100,000 users in July 2025.

That work shaped how I approach interfaces with AI functionality.

I look at three stages:

• Top of funnel: help people understand the product and try it.
• Middle of funnel: help a new user get the first useful result.
• Bottom of funnel: turn that first result into regular use.

Top of funnel: help them try it

1. Show the result before signup

Show a stranger your landing page for 6 to 8 seconds, then ask what the tool does. If they struggle to answer, the page needs work.

2. Lead with the job

“Turn a call into notes.” “Draft a reply to a support ticket.” These tell me more than generic claims like “get your AI workspace.”

3. Show a real task in a short demo

Use video to show how someone gets from input to result.

4. Explain what happens to their data

Say what the AI can see and store before requesting access. Some enterprise users can’t grant it, even if they like the product.

Middle of funnel: get to the first useful result

1. Start with something they can try

A sample gives people a way in without writing a prompt. My rule of thumb: useful output in fewer than 10 clicks.

2. Ask only for what the first result needs

For example, if the product works without someone’s full name, skip that field. Every extra input gives people another reason to leave.

3. Explain permissions before asking for access

I connect AI to practically everything. But most people don’t. Tell them what each permission is for.

4. Show progress while they wait

When a result takes tens of seconds or minutes, people need to know the product hasn’t frozen.

5. Let them fix the result without restarting

New users are still figuring out the product. Let them adjust things as they go.

6. Simplify the step where people leave

Turn 5 steps into 3. Replace a long prompt with a button or snippet. Offer sample data before requiring a connection. Always simplify!

Bottom of funnel: give them a reason to return

1. Count finished tasks

A signup tells you someone opened an account. Track whether they finished a real task.

2. Make the next useful step obvious

Once they have a result, show how to improve it or get the next task done faster.

3. Bring them back to their work

Save their context and results. Keep success messages inside the flow so they can carry on instead of landing on another empty screen.

4. Count how often they get another useful result

For instance, for a mortgage tool, track useful analysis results per user, plus downloads and shares. A long chat can still leave the task unfinished.

I’d also recommend Lenny’s Newsletter for SaaS product advice. It’s a gold mine if you work on SaaS UX.

What am I missing?