←back to thread

Ask HN: Why does every B2B SaaS have to look like Linear/Stripe?

8 points PaulShin | 2 comments | 07 Dec 25 04:43 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source

I'm a founder (and ex-architect) building a logistics OS. Recently, I received feedback that my site looks "cheap and ugly" because I used Serif fonts and an engraving style aesthetic instead of the standard Sans-Serif "Clean Tech" look.

My intent was to evoke the "Age of Exploration" vibe, since the AI era feels like charting unknown territories. But users seem conditioned to trust only "Standard Blue SaaS UI."

My question to HN: Does a B2B tool have to follow the "Standard Modern UI" to be taken seriously? Or is there room for distinctive, maybe even polarizing, aesthetics in enterprise software?

I'm debating whether to cave in and redesign to "boring but safe" or double down on our soul. Would love to hear your thoughts on "Brand Distinctiveness vs. UI Familiarity."

1. sema4hacker ◴[07 Dec 25 06:49 UTC] No.46179733[source]▶
Evoking a vibe is what artists try to do. Visually enticing buyers of your product is what graphic designers do. Either use a designer or copy from the millions of expertly designed sites that already exist. You'll have to change it all anyway in a decade or two when styles and fashions change.
replies(1): >>46180814 #
2. PaulShin ◴[07 Dec 25 10:54 UTC] No.46180814[source]▶
You're right. Rather than trying to stand out in a unique way, it's better to look like something already trusted and established. Thanks for the insight!