The psychology behind effective SaaS product copywriting

As a SaaS business, your product copy plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. But have you ever stopped to consider the psychological factors that influence the effectiveness of your copy?

Maxim Rahr
6 min readJan 9, 2023

In this article, we’ll explore the psychology behind effective SaaS product copywriting and how you can use it to your advantage.

The power of social proof

One psychological principle that can be particularly effective in SaaS product copywriting is the concept of social proof. This refers to the idea that people are more likely to trust and follow the actions of others, especially those in their peer group.

In the context of SaaS product copywriting, this means that highlighting customer testimonials and case studies can be a powerful way to convince potential customers to try your product. Seeing others who are similar to them achieving success with your product can provide the social proof they need to feel confident in making a purchase.

Source: smartcat.com (one of my clients)

The influence of authority

Another psychological principle that can be useful in SaaS product copywriting is the concept of authority. People are more likely to trust and follow the advice of experts or authorities in a particular field.

As a SaaS business, you can leverage this principle by highlighting the expertise of your team members or featuring quotes from industry leaders in your product copy. This can help to establish your company as a trusted authority in your field and increase the credibility of your product.

The role of scarcity

The principle of scarcity can also be a powerful tool in SaaS product copywriting. This refers to the idea that people place a higher value on something that is rare or in limited supply.

In the context of SaaS product copywriting, you can use scarcity to your advantage by highlighting limited time offers or limited availability of your product. This can create a sense of urgency and encourage potential customers to take action.

Source

The principle of framing

Another psychological aspect to consider in SaaS product copywriting is the principle of framing. This refers to the way in which information is presented and how it can influence the way it is perceived.

For example, if you were to present the price of your SaaS product as “$99/month,” it may seem more expensive than if you presented it as “$1/day.” By presenting the price in this way, you are effectively “framing” it in a more attractive and affordable light.

Another example of framing in SaaS product copywriting is the way in which you present the benefits of your product. If you focus on the potential losses that a customer might experience without your product, it can be more compelling than simply listing the potential gains. For example, “Our product helps businesses save time and money on HR tasks” may be more effective than “Our product offers efficient HR solutions.”

By understanding and utilizing the principle of framing in your SaaS product copywriting, you can effectively present your product in the most attractive and compelling way possible.

Source

The benefits of commitment and consistency

The psychological principle of commitment and consistency can also be a powerful tool in SaaS product copywriting. This principle states that once a person has committed to a particular belief or action, they are more likely to continue with that belief or action in the future.

You can use this principle to your advantage by encouraging potential customers to make small commitments upfront. For example, asking them to sign up for a free trial or provide their email address in exchange for a free resource can help to establish a sense of commitment. Once a person has made this initial commitment, they are more likely to continue using your product or making further purchases in the future.

Example:

Source

Additionally, using language that encourages consistency in your SaaS product copy can also be effective. For example, using phrases like “our most loyal customers” or “join the thousands of businesses that trust us” can help to create a sense of consistency and encourage potential customers to follow in the footsteps of others.

By understanding and utilizing the principle of commitment and consistency in your SaaS product copywriting, you can effectively encourage potential customers to take action and continue using your product over time.

The cognitive bias of loss aversion

The psychological principle of loss aversion can also be a useful tool in SaaS product copywriting. This principle states that people are more motivated by the fear of loss than the potential for gain. In other words, people are more likely to take action to avoid a negative outcome than to achieve a positive one.

You can use this principle to your advantage by highlighting the potential losses that a customer may experience without your product. For example, if your SaaS product helps businesses save time and money on HR tasks, you could emphasize the costs and challenges that a business may face without your product.

Source

Additionally, you can use loss aversion to your advantage by highlighting the potential consequences of not using your product. For example, if your SaaS product helps businesses comply with industry regulations, you could emphasize the potential fines and legal consequences of non-compliance.

By understanding and utilizing the principle of loss aversion in your SaaS product copywriting, you can effectively motivate potential customers to take action and choose your product over the competition.

The anchoring effect

The psychological principle of anchoring can also be a useful tool in SaaS product copywriting. This principle states that people tend to rely heavily on the first piece of information they receive (the “anchor”) when making decisions.

In the context of SaaS product copywriting, you can use this principle to your advantage by carefully selecting the information you present first to potential customers. For example, if you are offering a discount on your SaaS product, you could highlight the original price first and then the discounted price. This can help to create a sense of value and make the discounted price seem more attractive.

Example:

Source

Additionally, you can use anchoring to your advantage by presenting information in a way that emphasizes the value of your product. For example, if your SaaS product offers a range of features, you could highlight the most valuable or unique features first to anchor the perceived value of your product in the minds of potential customers.

By understanding and utilizing the principle of anchoring in your SaaS product copywriting, you can effectively influence the decisions of potential customers and convince them to choose your product.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the psychology behind effective SaaS product copywriting can help you to craft copy that is more likely to convert. By leveraging psychological principles like social proof, authority, scarcity, framing, commitment and consistency, and anchoring, you can create copy that is more compelling and persuasive for potential customers.

So, keep these principles in mind as you work on your SaaS product copy to maximize its impact.

Maxim Rahr, Product Content Editor

Hi! Thanks for stopping by 🖤 If you’re looking for someone to edit your product copy — I might be the person you need.

Visit my personal Notion page to find out what I do and how to contact me.

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Maxim Rahr

Product-Led Content & User-Centric UX Copy. Have work? Let’s chat!