Designing for Product-Led Growth: What Makes a Great First Impression?

Welcome to Momentum Inspired!

In Product-Led Growth (PLG), your product is your best salesperson—and the first impression it gives can determine whether a user stays, returns, and eventually pays.

If new users don’t “get it” quickly:
❌ They won’t activate.
❌ They won’t explore further.
❌ They’ll churn before they ever see the value.

But when your first impression is clear, simple, and purposeful, the product starts selling itself.

In this issue:
✅ The 5 design elements that drive a great first experience.
✅ How to shorten time-to-value (TTV).
✅ Real examples from PLG leaders.

Let’s dive in! 🚀

Why First Impressions Matter in PLG

New users make decisions within seconds—if they’re confused, overwhelmed, or unsure, they’ll leave.

A powerful first impression does three things:
✔ Communicates value instantly
✔ Shows users how to take their first step
✔ Builds confidence through quick wins

What Makes a Great First Experience?

A great first impression answers three critical questions, fast:

1. What is this product?

2. How does it help me?

3. What should I do next?

If you nail those, you’re off to a strong start.

5 Design Principles That Drive PLG Activation

1. Clear Value Prop in Seconds

   Your homepage or welcome screen should instantly communicate what the product does and who it’s for.

   🧠 Example: Calendly – “Easy scheduling ahead.”

   → Outcome-first, benefit-driven.

2. Action Within 60 Seconds

   Let users interact right away. Eliminate distractions and reduce form fields.

   🧠 Example: Canva lets users start designing immediately after signup.

3. Guided but Flexible Onboarding

   Don’t force tutorials. Use lightweight walkthroughs, helpful tooltips, and let power users skip ahead.

   🧠 Example: Notion introduces features progressively as you explore.

4. Celebrate Small Wins

   Give users quick feedback for small actions—checkmarks, animations, a toast notification. They matter.

   🧠 Example: Duolingo makes every tap feel like a win with streaks and XP.

5. Deliver Value Before the Paywall

   Let users feel the value before asking for a card. And tease premium features to spark curiosity.

   🧠 Example: Grammarly shows premium suggestions but only allows upgrades to apply them.

Real Talk: Slack’s First Impression Strategy

Slack doesn’t rush the sale. It:
✅ Onboards you into a team workspace in <2 minutes
✅ Encourages you to invite teammates (collaboration = stickiness)
✅ Waits until you hit limits (message history, integrations) before prompting upgrades

They don’t interrupt the experience—they enhance it until the paywall feels natural.

Your Action Items

1. Revisit your homepage—does it speak clearly to first-time users?

2. Cut 1 unnecessary step from your signup/onboarding flow

3. Identify your “First Win” moment—and make it visible and rewarding

4. Let users experience your product before asking them to pay

Over to You

What’s one thing you’ve done to improve your product’s first impression?
Hit reply and share it—I’d love to feature your story in an upcoming issue!

Until next time,
Filippo

P.S. Want my First Impressions UX Checklist? Just reply “FIRST” and I’ll send it to you