Empty states represent critical moments in user experiences where thoughtful design can transform potentially frustrating situations into opportunities for engagement, education, and conversion. This comprehensive guide examines 200+ exceptional empty state examples, providing actionable frameworks, proven strategies, and design templates for creating empty states that guide users toward success rather than abandonment. From first-time user onboarding to error recovery, learn how to make every empty moment count.
What are Empty States in UX Design?
Empty states are interface screens that appear when there is no content, data, or available actions to display. These moments occur during first-time user experiences, failed search results, error conditions, or when users haven't yet created content. Well-designed empty states transform these potentially negative moments into positive engagement opportunities.
Why are Empty States Important for UX?
Top 5 Benefits of Well-Designed Empty States:
- User Guidance: Direct users toward productive next actions
- Expectation Setting: Explain what users will see after taking action
- Brand Expression: Showcase personality during vulnerable moments
- Error Prevention: Help users avoid mistakes through clear guidance
- Conversion Opportunities: Transform dead ends into engagement
What Are the Different Types of Empty States?
Complete Empty State Categories:
| Empty State Type | When It Occurs | Primary Goal |
|---|---|---|
| First-Time User | New account, no content yet | Onboarding and activation |
| No Search Results | Query returns zero matches | Refinement suggestions |
| Error States | Technical failures, broken connections | Problem resolution |
| User Cleared | Deleted all content or completed tasks | Re-engagement |
| Access Restricted | Permissions or paywall limitations | Upgrade or alternative paths |
How to Design Effective Empty States
5-Step Empty State Design Process:
- Identify Context: Understand why the state is empty
- Define User Goals: What should users accomplish next?
- Create Clear Messaging: Explain the situation and next steps
- Design Visual Elements: Support messaging with appropriate imagery
- Test and Iterate: Measure effectiveness and optimize
What Should Empty State Content Include?
Essential Empty State Elements:
- Descriptive Headline: Clear explanation of the current state
- Supportive Subtext: Additional context and guidance
- Primary Action Button: Most important next step
- Secondary Options: Alternative pathways when relevant
- Visual Support: Illustration or icon that aids understanding
- Help Resources: Links to documentation or support when needed
Best Empty State Design Examples
What Makes These Empty States Effective?
- Dropbox: Shows preview of populated interface with clear setup steps
- Slack: Friendly illustrations with encouraging, actionable messaging
- Airbnb: Inspirational imagery with specific next action guidance
- GitHub: Educational content that teaches while encouraging engagement
- Spotify: Personalized recommendations based on user preferences
How to Write Empty State Copy That Converts
Empty State Copywriting Best Practices:
- Be Specific: "No search results" is better than "Nothing here"
- Stay Positive: Focus on possibilities rather than problems
- Provide Direction: Always include clear next steps
- Match Brand Voice: Maintain consistent personality
- Keep It Scannable: Use short sentences and bullet points
Empty State Headline Formulas That Work:
- Status + Action: "No projects yet. Create your first project."
- Benefit + CTA: "Start organizing your photos. Upload now."
- Question + Solution: "Looking for something specific? Try our search."
- Encouragement + Direction: "You're all set! Add your first item."
What Are Common Empty State Design Mistakes?
Top 7 Empty State Pitfalls to Avoid:
- Generic Messaging: "No data available" tells users nothing useful
- Missing Actions: Failing to provide clear next steps
- Brand Disconnect: Empty states that don't match overall design
- Overwhelming Options: Too many choices create decision paralysis
- Negative Language: Focusing on what's wrong rather than solutions
- Poor Visual Hierarchy: Unclear emphasis on most important actions
- Mobile Neglect: Empty states that don't work on small screens
How to Design Empty States for Mobile
Mobile Empty State Considerations:
- Simplified Content: Fewer words, clearer actions due to space constraints
- Touch-Friendly Buttons: Minimum 44px touch targets
- Vertical Optimization: Stack elements for portrait orientation
- Context Awareness: Leverage mobile capabilities like camera, location
- Progressive Disclosure: Show only essential information initially
How to Measure Empty State Effectiveness
Key Empty State Metrics:
| Metric | What It Measures | Good Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion Rate | Users taking suggested action | >25% |
| Time to Action | Speed of user decision-making | <30 seconds |
| Bounce Rate | Users leaving immediately | <40% |
| Support Requests | Confusion requiring help | <5% of empty state views |
What Tools Help Create Better Empty States?
Empty State Design Tool Categories:
- Illustration Libraries: Undraw, Humaaans, Storyset
- Icon Resources: Heroicons, Feather, Phosphor
- Design Systems: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD component libraries
- Copy Testing: Hotjar, UserTesting for message effectiveness
- A/B Testing: Optimizely, VWO for conversion optimization
How to A/B Test Empty State Designs
Empty State Testing Framework:
- Test One Element: Message, visual, or action button individually
- Measure Conversions: Track completion of suggested actions
- Monitor User Behavior: Heatmaps and session recordings
- Collect Feedback: Post-interaction surveys about clarity
- Consider Context: Different empty states may need different approaches
Empty State Design Templates and Examples
Proven Empty State Patterns:
- Getting Started Template: Welcome message + primary setup action
- No Results Template: Search refinement suggestions + alternative browsing
- Error Recovery Template: Problem explanation + retry mechanism
- Feature Introduction: Benefit explanation + trial or demo offer
- Completion Celebration: Achievement recognition + next goal suggestion