How we redesigned a cluttered SaaS dashboard and improved user retention

At Agencor, we work with fast-moving product teams to create digital experiences that aren’t just beautiful—they’re built to perform. This project came from a SaaS startup struggling with something we’ve seen far too often: a product that had grown rapidly in features, but not in clarity.

Their dashboard was functional but overwhelming. New users didn’t know where to begin. Existing users had to dig to find what they needed. And while the team had invested in product development, the UX hadn’t kept up. Retention was starting to suffer.

We were brought in with a clear goal: simplify the interface, streamline the experience, and improve user engagement across the board.

Listening before designing

Rather than jumping straight into redesign, we began with research. We ran quick user interviews with both long-time customers and recent drop-offs. We studied session recordings and click maps to see where users hesitated or gave up. The pattern became obvious:

• The dashboard surfaced too much, too soon.

• Critical actions were buried under secondary settings.

• Visual hierarchy was inconsistent, with too many competing elements.

Most of the functionality was there—it just wasn’t working for the user.

Creating structure with intent

We broke the dashboard down into three tiers:

1. Core actions that users needed daily

2. Secondary functions that were essential, but not urgent

3. Admin or setup tasks that were used occasionally

Using this logic, we rebuilt the information architecture from the ground up. We consolidated menus, introduced collapsible panels, and grouped related actions into simple, intuitive clusters.

We also introduced persistent guidance elements—lightweight tooltips, inline suggestions, and subtle progress markers that nudged users toward important setup tasks without feeling intrusive.

Designing for clarity, not just aesthetics

A cleaner layout was only part of the equation. We wanted to create focus.

We removed visual noise and brought consistency to type sizing, iconography, and spacing. Color was used sparingly—to draw attention, not decorate. Actions were reworded to be more human (“Start a new workflow” instead of “Create”), and status indicators were made more informative with clear, friendly language.

To ensure flexibility, we designed the system in components. That meant the product team could scale features over time without losing coherence.

The results

After implementation, we saw immediate improvements:

• 28% increase in weekly active users within the first 6 weeks

• 43% drop in time-to-first-action for new users

• Support tickets related to dashboard confusion decreased by over 35%

• Net Promoter Score (NPS) for existing users rose by 15 points

But beyond the numbers, the product felt better. Users weren’t just using it—they were sticking around, exploring more features, and giving positive feedback.

The takeaway

Complexity isn’t a feature - it’s friction. When a product grows, the interface needs to grow intelligently. This project was a great example of what happens when design isn’t just about pixels—it’s about clarity, structure, and understanding the mental model of your users.

At Agencor, we don’t just redesign interfaces—we rethink how they work. And in fast-moving digital products, that can make all the difference.