Over half of the global workforce is on the move. And they are accessing critical business apps and tools from their mobile devices. 

The retention strategies are moving towards making an enterprise user more efficient and productive. And mobile is at the forefront of this revolution.

B2B Enterprise SaaS companies are recognising the need to offer mobile-optimised experiences to meet the evolving demands. But the million-dollar question - sorry, the million-dollar ARR question - that every product team grapples with is:

Does my SaaS product truly need a mobile version?

And if so,

How much of my product should be accessible on mobile devices?

In this blog, we'll walk you through a strategic framework to help you make that crucial mobile decision with clarity and confidence. 

So, let’s dive in.

Assessing Market Demand

Determining whether your SaaS product needs a mobile version is a fundamental question, but one with a deceptively simple answer. The key lies in mapping your product against the prevailing market demand and user expectations within your domain. 

Take a close look at your competitors' offerings. If they're already delivering robust mobile experiences while your product lags behind, you could be at a severe disadvantage. Conversely, a well-designed, user-friendly mobile app could be the secret sauce that sets you apart in an overcrowded SaaS market. 

There is already a high concentration of mobile usage in verticals like communication tools, productivity suites, CRM systems, and the like. While using such products, you might have observed that not all features are available on mobile, but rather a curated, streamlined experience tailored for on-the-go access.

The demand for mobile accessibility in the Enterprise SaaS space can range from critical - where mobile access is virtually a prerequisite for success - to low, where it's more of a value-add than a necessity.

Frankly, it's relatively straightforward to determine if your SaaS product needs a mobile version once you know your market.

Identifying User Needs

The next step is to identify which types of users within your customer base would truly benefit from mobile access to your product. Not all user segments derive equal value from mobile functionality. To pinpoint who would gain the most, segment your user base based on their roles, usage patterns, and specific requirements.

Let's take the example of a popular product management tool like Jira. A typical product team using Jira consists of diverse user roles – product managers, designers, developers, QAs, DevOps engineers, and some more. Each role has vastly different mobility needs.

A product manager who's frequently on the go, attending meetings or collaborating with cross-functional teams, would likely have a much higher need for mobile accessibility compared to a QA whose work is primarily deskbound, focused on rigorous testing and bug triage.

If you're operating in a niche domain or have user roles that aren't easily distinguishable, conducting user research becomes crucial. Observe your users' behaviour – Are they constantly checking their phones? Juggling tasks on-the-go?

User research is crucial to; 

1. Validate the need for a mobile version,
2. Uncover opportunities to design new features, and  
3. Tailored experiences for mobile users, to provide a competitive edge.

If you lack resources for user research, listen to your sales and support teams. They're often the first to witness users' pain points and can provide invaluable insights. In fact, equipping your support and sales teams with simple user research techniques, such as active listening and feedback capture, can unlock a wealth of valuable user intelligence that would otherwise go untapped.

User research can be a game-changer, leading to the discovery of innovative mobile-first features that could drive your product adoption. Contact us If you'd like us to share how SaaS UX design can help resource-constrained teams build an active bridge between users and product stakeholders.

Determining Scope

So far, we've covered two crucial decisions: analysing market demand to determine if a mobile version is necessary, and understanding that not all user segments need equal access to mobile interfaces.

Now comes the slightly more complex part.

How much of your product should be accessible on mobile devices?

The scope for your product roadmap!

Here's the decision-making framework we use at Tcules. We focus on understanding two key factors: 

1. The frequency of a given task. 
2. The necessity for mobile access.

For instance, a product manager switching between the meetings often needs to review and update tasks statuses which is typically a high-frequency, high-necessity task. On the other hand, editing complex product documents might be a lower-frequency task with moderate necessity for mobile access.

In SaaS product management teams, a product manager, often moving between meetings, frequently needs to check and adjust task statuses, which is typically a high-frequency, high-necessity task. Conversely, editing detailed product documents might be a lower-frequency task with moderate necessity for mobile access.

By analysing user tasks through this lens, you can identify which user roles would benefit the most from performing specific tasks on mobile devices, allowing you to prioritise and optimise the mobile experience accordingly.

Analyse the complexity of features

The complexity of the features need to be considered after defining the scope for the mobile feature.

How complicated are these mobile features?

Can they even work on mobile?

You should first assess the complexity of your features – if there are intricate data visualisations, multi-step workflows, or heavy data entry involved, these may prove too cumbersome to implement effectively on mobile devices. If a feature feels overwhelming on a desktop, imagine the usability challenges it could pose on a smartphone or tablet.

That said, it's important to note that what were once considered "complex features" for mobile are now being made accessible quite successfully through innovative design approaches. Products like Airtable are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible on mobile, delivering mobile friendly experiences through thoughtful design.

The key is to simplify and break down complex features for mobile, focusing on core functionalities and essential actions. 

This may involve difficult trade-offs, but it's a necessary step in delivering a seamless, user-friendly mobile experience that drives adoption and productivity.

Conclusion

Determining whether your SaaS product requires a mobile version is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your product's success. By following the framework outlined in this guide – assessing market demand, identifying user needs, determining scope, and analysing feature complexity – you can make an informed decision tailored to your unique product and user base. 

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Conduct thorough research, user testing, and don't hesitate to seek expert guidance if needed. A well-executed mobile strategy can drive adoption, productivity, and give you a competitive edge in the market.

If you need assistance navigating this mobile journey, we offer consultations and workshops specifically designed to empower product teams in B2B SaaS companies. Reach out, and let's explore how we can craft a mobile experience that delights your users and propels your product forward.