Website design for a lending SAAS startup

Kennek is a cutting-edge loan management system that empowers lenders to scale their operations, manage risk, and access institutional funding. As an all-in-one platform for lenders, Kennek offers robust tools to streamline processes and enhance performance. They approached us with a need to create a sleek and intuitive website that reflects their tech-driven approach while communicating the value of their platform to potential users. District-22 was tasked with delivering website UI/UX design tailored to this lending SaaS startup, emphasizing user experience, clarity, and scalability.

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Understanding Kennek's Business Needs

Kennek serves a critical role for lenders by simplifying the complexities of loan management. Their platform is designed for any lender aiming to expand operations efficiently, minimize risks, and unlock institutional capital. Given the complexity of their service, it was essential to design a website that clearly communicates Kennek's value proposition and the technical advantages of their platform in a concise, engaging, and user-friendly way.

Kennek wanted a design that would not only highlight their features but also foster trust with potential users, many of whom are decision-makers in financial institutions. The website had to offer seamless navigation, detailed information, and a clean design that reflects Kennek’s mission of providing everything lenders need in a single platform.

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The Design Process

Discovery and Research

Our first step in the design process was conducting comprehensive research on the lending SaaS market. We reviewed Kennek's competitors and similar platforms to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their websites. This gave us insights into what users in this sector expect from a user interface and how best to present Kennek’s product.

Wireframing and User Journey Mapping

We started with wireframes, mapping out the user journey across various sections of the website. Since the platform is highly technical, we needed to strike a balance between information-rich content and a clean, minimal interface. Users should be able to access all the details they need without feeling overwhelmed by complex data or confusing navigation.

Key focus areas included:

Clear presentation of the platform's core features: scaling operations, risk management, and accessing funding.
Easy access to educational resources such as case studies, whitepapers, and product demos.
Streamlined pathways for new users to sign up or schedule a demo.

Visual Design

Once the wireframes were approved, we moved on to the visual design phase. For Kennek, we chose a professional, modern aesthetic that would appeal to financial industry professionals and startup founders alike. The color palette was kept clean and neutral, with accents of blue to symbolize trust and professionalism—qualities essential in the financial services industry.

Typography played a key role in ensuring readability across the site. We opted for simple, sans-serif fonts that made the dense technical information easy to digest. Icons and illustrations were integrated to explain complex concepts visually, creating a user-friendly experience even for first-time visitors.

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Features of the Website

Simplified User Interface

The interface was designed to be intuitive, allowing users to easily explore Kennek’s offerings and understand the platform’s capabilities. We organized the content into digestible sections, focusing on key benefits such as scaling operations, managing risks, and accessing institutional funding. Each feature was accompanied by clear call-to-action buttons, making it easy for potential customers to request demos, learn more, or contact Kennek directly.

Engaging User Experience

Our design focused heavily on user experience, ensuring smooth navigation and quick access to essential information. A sticky navigation bar was implemented, allowing users to easily navigate the platform and return to important sections at any time. Interactive elements, such as hover effects and clickable icons, added an extra layer of engagement without overwhelming the user.

Mobile-Responsive Design

Since Kennek’s target audience includes busy professionals who often access the internet via mobile devices, it was crucial to ensure the site was fully responsive. We optimized the UI for all screen sizes, ensuring that the experience remained seamless across desktops, tablets, and smartphones. The mobile version retained the core features of the desktop site but in a simplified layout for easier navigation.

UI/UX Considerations

The user experience was central to the design process. Given that Kennek’s target users are lenders who require easy access to information on how the platform can help streamline their operations, we made sure that navigation was smooth and intuitive. Key UX elements included:

Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): We placed CTAs such as "Request a Demo" or "Contact Us" prominently throughout the site to encourage user interaction without being intrusive.
Interactive Elements: Icons and graphs were added to explain complex concepts in a simple, engaging way. These visual aids help break up text-heavy sections, making the content more accessible.
Educational Content: The design incorporated areas for Kennek to showcase their thought leadership through blog posts, case studies, and whitepapers, helping to build credibility and demonstrate the value of their product.

Final Outcome

Kennek's new website is a polished, user-friendly, and visually appealing platform that aligns perfectly with their mission to support lenders. The streamlined design allows for easy navigation while presenting Kennek’s offerings in a professional and approachable way. By integrating SEO best practices and focusing on user experience, the website not only attracts new users but also provides existing customers with a clear understanding of the platform's capabilities.

The result is a well-designed, fully responsive site that positions Kennek as a leader in the lending SaaS space, with room to scale as the company continues to grow.

Conclusion

Kennek’s website design project allowed District-22 to showcase our expertise in creating SaaS-focused web solutions. The final product seamlessly combines UI/UX design principles with the technical needs of a lending platform, ensuring that Kennek’s website not only serves as an information hub but also as a tool for conversion. We are proud of the result and look forward to seeing Kennek continue to expand and innovate in the lending industry.

For businesses in the financial sector, having a website that is both informative and easy to navigate is critical. Our work with Kennek shows how great design can elevate a startup's web presence, helping them stand out in a competitive market.

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