Empty States: The Most Important Screen You Forgot
An empty dashboard is scary ("Horror Vacui"). Use Empty States to educate. Put a big button: "Create your first Project." Prefill with demo data.
What is Horror Vacui?
Horror Vacui is Fear of empty space. When users see a blank screen, they panic and assume they did something wrong.
The 3 Core Benefits
Activation
The "First Run" experience decides if they churn. Good empty states guide them to the "Aha Moment" instantly.
Education
Instead of a boring tour, use the empty state to explain. "Here is where your tasks will live. Click + to add one."
Personality
Empty states are a great place for illustrations/brand voice. A cute mascot saying "It's quiet in here..." builds connection.
Designing the Zero State
The "Call to Action" (CTA)
Don't just say "No Projects." Say "Create Project." Make the button huge and centered. It is the ONLY thing they should do.
The "Template" Start
Don't make them start from scratch. "Start with a Template" reduces friction. Blank pages cause writer's block.
Demo Data
Even better: Pre-load the account with "Acme Corp" dummy data. Let them play with a fully populated dashboard immediately.
Educational Illustration
Show a grayed-out "Ghost" version of the UI. "This chart will show your MRR." It visualizes the reward.
Active Prompts
When you join Mesh, we don't show "No Reviews." We show "Invite your first customer to review you." We guide the action.
Bad Empty State vs. Good Empty State
| Feature | Bad Empty State | Good Empty State |
|---|---|---|
| Message | No Results Found | Get Started Here |
| Visual | White Void | Illustration + Button |
| Feeling | Broken | Inviting |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I force a tutorial?
No. Users hate "Modals" that block the screen. Use "Tooltips" or Empty States that sit inline. Let them explore.
How long should demo data stay?
Until they create their first real item. Then wipe the demo data automatically. Or give a clear "Delete Demo Data" button.
Does this affect SEO?
No, this is inside the app (Logged in). But good UX reduces churn, which indirectly helps everything.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
Ready to get instant traffic from trusted founders?
← Back to Home