Why are some dashboards so meaningless? How can you make information helpful? Today our guest is Brian O'Neil, founder & principal of Designing for Analytics. You'll learn how to approach data visualization thoughtfully, how to help users make their decisions, why you shouldn't go after fancy diagrams, and why "removing everything" isn't always your best strategy.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesDesigning for Analytics — Brian's companyThe CED Design Framework for Integrating Advanced Analytics into Decision Support Software — Brian's articleInformation Dashboard Design — a book by Stephen FewHow Charts Lie — a book by Alberto CairoGood Charts — a book by Scott BerinatoD3.js — the most popular data visualization libraryGet Brian's free self-assessment guideExperiencing Data — Brian's podcastDrop Brian a line at brian@designingforanalytics.comFollow Brian on Twitter: @rhythmspiceToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Podcast Motor — a podcast editing service for busy professionals. You just show up and record great content, and they handle the rest: audio editing, shownotes, publishing, promotion, and much more. Check them out at podcastmotor.com, and mention UIBREAKFAST to get $50 off your first order.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

What do we need to know about digital security as website owners and SaaS founders? Our guest today is Michael Buckbee, the founder of Expedited Security. We talk about different aspects of security online: top risks, TLS/SSL, encryption, VPNs, bug bounties, and much more.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesExpedited Security, Expedited WAF — Michael's productsTransport Layer Security — a Wikipedia article on TLS/SSLPenetration test — a method for evaluating securityCalifornia Consumer Privacy Act — the new privacy bill alongside GPDROWASP Top Ten — a globally recognized list of top web application security risksLet's Encrypt — free SSL/TLS certificatesPublic-key cryptography — a cryptographic system that uses public keys and private keysEncrypt.me — a VPN serviceAlgo VPN — a free tool by Trail of Bits for setting up your own VPNResponsible disclosure — a model for disclosing vulnerabilitiesFollow Michael on Twitter: @mbuckbeeToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Lightmatter. Have you ever wondered how top companies ship new features so quickly? Or have you ever struggled to get that awesome UX and UI you were going for? That’s where Lightmatter comes in. They act as a direct extension of design and development teams at some of the world’s top companies. Whether your company needs a new brand, website, or app, they can help. Check them out at lightmatter.com/uibreakfast to learn more.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

What are the implications of building software that interacts with your customer's customers? Our guest today is Adii Pienaar, previosly the founder of WooCommerce and Conversio. We talk about his five-year journey with Conversio, product lessons learned, how to do freemium right, how to stay ethical, and much more.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesCM Commerce (previously Conversio) — Adii's latest product, acquired by Campaign MonitorWooCommerce — Adii's previous productUserlist — Jane's productMotion — Adii's poetry bookAdii's personal websiteFollow Adii on Twitter: @adiiToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Lightmatter. Lightmatter helps some of the world’s fastest growing companies design and develop their software applications. Whether you don’t yet need an in-house engineering team, or you’re busy growing the next unicorn and can’t hire fast enough, there’s an immense value in working with a group of experts like Lightmatter. Check them out at lightmatter.com/uibreakfast to learn more.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

Today we're talking about the sensitive industry of email outreach. Our guest is Mike Taber, the founder of Bluetick (as well as co-founder of MicroConf and Startups For the Rest of Us). You'll learn about the challenges of the email industry, differences between cold and warm outreach, what makes a perfect email, and how to make sure that your software is used as intended.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesBluetick.io — Mike's follow-up tool we're talking aboutStartups For the Rest of Us, MicroConf — projects co-founded by Mike and Rob WallingEpisode 448, Episode 461, Episode 481 — some of the episodes at Startups For the Rest of Us where Mike and Rob talk about BluetickMention UIBREAKFAST at support@bluetick.io after signing up to get a special bonus from MikeFollow Mike on Twitter: @SingleFounderToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Lightmatter. Have you ever wondered how top companies ship new features so quickly? Or have you ever struggled to get that awesome UX and UI you were going for? That’s where Lightmatter comes in. They act as a direct extension of design and development teams at some of the world’s top companies. Whether your company needs a new brand, website, or app, they can help. Check them out at lightmatter.com/uibreakfast to learn more.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

No matter how great your software is, poor copy can still ruin the entire user experience. How do we choose the right words then? Our guest today is Yael Ben-David, a UX writer and thought leader. We talk how UX writing process works in real life, how to develop (and capture) voice and tone for your product, and how to improve your microcopy using simple proven methods.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesYael's blog on MediumEpisode 134: UX Writing with Yuval KeshtcherTranscript of the interview I never had — Yael's article that inspired this episodeJohn Saito — a famous UX writer at DropboxMailchimp Content Style GuideMicrocopy: The Complete Guide — a book by Kinneret YifrahOne voice, many hands — an article by Slack teamContent Design — a book by Sarah Richards (she coined the term)The Man Who Lied to His Laptop — a book by Clifford Nass and Corina YenDon't Make Me Think — a timeless book by Steve KrugLetting Go of the Words — a book by Ginny RedishConversational Design — a book by Erica HallFollow Yael on Twitter: @YaelBenDavidToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Lightmatter. Lightmatter helps some of the world’s fastest growing companies design and develop their software applications. Whether you don’t yet need an in-house engineering team, or you’re busy growing the next unicorn and can’t hire fast enough, there’s an immense value in working with a group of experts like Lightmatter. Check them out at lightmatter.com/uibreakfast to learn more.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

Can developers build beautiful software on their own, without relying on a designer? One team decided to teach this knowledge, and scored massive success. Meet the brains behind Refactoring UI, Adam Wathan and Steve Schoger. You'll learn the story of their project, their favorite design tips, and how much work goes into every bit of content they publish.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesRefactoring UI — team's project we're talking aboutTailwind CSS — Adam's project, a CSS framework for rapid UI developmentThings — a popular to-do app, one of the examples of great design7 Practical Tips for Cheating at Design — one of the team's most successful articlesScreenFlow — a popular tool for screen recording and video editingWatch Refactoring UI on YouTubeGet the Refactoring UI bookFollow Adam and Steve on Twitter: @adamwathan, @steveschogerToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Lightmatter. Have you ever wondered how top companies ship new features so quickly? Or have you ever struggled to get that awesome UX and UI you were going for? That’s where Lightmatter comes in. They act as a direct extension of design and development teams at some of the world’s top companies. Whether your company needs a new brand, website, or app, they can help. Check them out at lightmatter.com/uibreakfast to learn more.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

Asia Matos, Founder of DemandMaven, discusses strategies for acquiring your first 100 SaaS customers. Topics include sales funnels, conversion rates, acquiring early customers, and avoiding common mistakes in startup growth.

How can custom illustration make your product truly shine? Our guest today is Krystal Lauk, the founder of an illustration-led design agency. You'll learn why illustration is an integral part of the entire user experience, what brands set a good example, and how to approach the creative process.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesKrystal Lauk Studios — Krystal's design agencyHumans of Flat Design — fun project by Eli Schiff featuring modern illustrationsThumbtack Brand Illustration Style — one of Krystal's case studiesIllustrating a more human brand — the history of Dropbox brand illustration by Michael Jeter99U, Pinterest, It's Nice That — places to find inspirationProcreate, Adobe Fresco, Adobe Sketch — some of the popular illustration toolsMention UIBREAKFAST to get 15% your first illustration project at Krystal Lauk StudiosFollow Krystal on InstagramFollow Krystal on Twitter: @krystallaukToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Lightmatter. Have you ever wondered how top companies ship new features so quickly? Or have you ever struggled to get that awesome UX and UI you were going for? That’s where Lightmatter comes in. They act as a direct extension of design and development teams at some of the world’s top companies. Whether your company needs a new brand, website, or app, they can help. Check them out at lightmatter.com/uibreakfast to learn more.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

Testimonials and case studies hold enormous marketing potential (without coming off as salesy). Our guest today is Joel Klettke, the founder of Case Study Buddy. You'll learn what makes a powerful case study, how to produce one yourself, and how to use them in your sales & marketing process.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesCase Study Buddy — Joel's service we're talking aboutSome of their case study samplesPingboard, Varonis, Buffer — some of the companies that do great case studiesCrisp Video — a company producing amazing video testimonials for lawyers (see one of the samples)Get your free copy of The Complete Guide to Growing Your Revenue with Case StudiesFollow Joel on Twitter: @JoelKlettkeToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Lightmatter. Lightmatter helps some of the world’s fastest growing companies design and develop their software applications. Whether you don’t yet need an in-house engineering team, or you’re busy growing the next unicorn and can’t hire fast enough, there’s an immense value in working with a group of experts like Lightmatter. Check them out at lightmatter.com/uibreakfast to learn more.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

Growing a SaaS company is such a slow process. How do you know if you're on the right track? Our guest today is Derrick Reimer, a founder of several SaaS companies and a fellow podcaster. You'll learn the story of his previous SaaS product, multiple ways to validate your product idea, and what are the signals that a product-market fit is happening (or not).Download the MP3 audio file: right-click here and choose Save As.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music.Show NotesI'm Walking Away From the Product I Spent a Year Building — Derrick's post-mortem article about Level37signals — the original site from 1999Getting Real — a book by 37signalsStart Small, Stay Small — a book by Rob WallingDrip — Derrick's previous product with Rob Walling (acquired by Leadpages)The Mom Test — a book by Rob Fitzpatrick on talking to customersStaticKit — Derrick's current productThe Art of Product — Derrick's podcast with Ben OrensteinDerrick's personal websiteFollow Derrick on Twitter: @derrickreimerToday's SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Gusto. Small businesses across the US love running payroll with Gusto. Why? Because Gusto automatically files and pays your taxes, it’s super easy to use, plus you can add benefits and management tools to help take care of your team. But here’s the thing: it’s almost 2020, and switching to a new payroll provider can be tricky. Gusto can help! Sign up today at gusto.com/uibreakfast and get three months free when you run your first payroll.Interested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here. Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.