Understanding your users' journeys is like being the navigator on a road trip. It’s not just about picking a destination; it’s about knowing where your passengers are, where they want to go, and how to avoid any detours along the way. Customer journey mapping helps you do just that, without running into dead ends.
So, let’s dive into 5 types of journey maps that’ll help you steer your SaaS business toward smarter growth. 👇
🟡 Current State Map
This one's all about understanding where your users are right now. It’s perfect for spotting friction points like drop-offs or confusion. For instance, you might realize that users are abandoning your signup process halfway through. By mapping this out, you can quickly figure out what needs to be fixed, whether it’s simplifying the form or adding clearer instructions. It’s about taking action on what’s actually happening, not just what you think is happening.
🟡 Future State Map
The future state map lets you dream a little and envision the ideal user journey. It’s perfect for setting long-term goals and shaping your product roadmap. If you’re focused on getting more users to adopt a feature, this map could highlight a smoother onboarding process that helps them discover and use that feature. Think of it as your North Star for the user experience you want to create.
🟡 Day-in-the-Life Map
This type of map takes a step back and looks at your customers’ whole day, not just their time with your product. It’s all about understanding the context in which they’re using your product. For example, if your SaaS tool is designed for remote teams, a day-in-the-life map could show how they juggle time zones, meetings, and communication. These insights help you design a product that fits seamlessly into their daily routines, making it way more useful.
🟡 Empathy Map
Now, let’s get emotional! The empathy map is all about understanding how users are feeling throughout their journey. What’s frustrating them? What excites them? For example, users might feel overwhelmed during the onboarding process, or they could feel a sense of relief when they finally unlock a key feature. These emotional insights help you create a more personalized experience, making your users feel understood and supported at every step.
🟡 Service Blueprint
The service blueprint connects what your customers do with the internal processes that make it happen. It’s great for making sure all your teams (marketing, product, support) are aligned and working smoothly. If customers are waiting too long for support or something’s broken in the back-end, the blueprint helps you pinpoint the problem. It’s all about streamlining operations and delivering a better experience for both your customers and your team.
If you’re looking for a clearer overview of how SaaS customer journey mapping actually works, this article is worth a look. It breaks down the core stages, and walks you through how to build your own in just 6 simple steps ⤵️
https://www.upsilonit.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-saas-customer-journey-mapping