In the fast‑moving world of Software‑as‑a-Service (SaaS), having an excellent product is only half the battle. The real challenge often lies in explaining what your software does, why it matters, and how it benefits the user — especially when features are abstract, technical, or multifaceted. That’s where 2D animated explainer videos come into play. Many SaaS companies are now relying heavily on them because they simplify complex ideas, captivate users, and boost conversions. Below we explore why — and how — 2D animation service has become a near‑essential part of SaaS marketing.

🎯 The Unique Challenges SaaS Companies Face

SaaS products come with certain marketing challenges that make traditional UX-copy or static screenshots often insufficient:

  • Intangibility & Complexity — SaaS products are mostly digital/software: features, workflows, and benefits are often hard to convey in simple text or images.

  • High user skepticism — Many potential users are non‑technical or just want a quick idea of whether the product solves their pain‑point. Dense documentation or long feature lists may scare them away.

  • Short attention spans — In a crowded digital environment, getting a user to read through long descriptions is difficult. Many visitors leave before even trying a demo.

  • Need for fast onboarding — For SaaS companies, first impressions matter. If users don’t quickly understand what the product does, they may churn or never convert.

Because of these issues, SaaS companies need a marketing medium that can: simplify abstract features, engage quickly, build trust, and accelerate understanding.

That medium is often 2D animated explainer videos.

✅ What 2D Animated Explainer Videos Do Best for SaaS

• They Translate Complexity into Simplicity

Animated explainer videos can take complicated workflows, data flows, or software features and turn them into visual stories — with characters, icons, motion, and metaphors. Instead of walls of text or screenshots, users see animated graphics that walk them step-by-step through the product’s functionality. This makes even technical or abstract features accessible to non-technical users.

• Short, Engaging Nature — Perfect for Modern Audiences

SaaS explainer videos are typically 60–90 seconds long — just enough time to highlight the problem, your solution, and key benefits without losing attention.

People are far more likely to watch a short animated video than read long pages of copy. Studies show that videos let viewers retain much more than text — especially when conveying complex ideas.

• Improves Conversion Rates & Reduces Friction

Because animated explainers show exactly how the software works and what a user gets, they reduce uncertainty — a frequent barrier in SaaS sign‑ups. Many SaaS companies using explainer videos report 20–80% increase in conversions depending on placement and audience targeting.

By clearing doubts, answering typical “how this works?” questions, and building trust, explainer videos speed up the decision-making process for potential customers.

• Excellent Onboarding & Reduced Support Overhead

Once a user signs up, explainer videos also help with onboarding — showing step-by-step how to get started. For SaaS companies, this means less burden on support staff and faster user activation.

Instead of reading manuals or endless FAQs, new users can watch animated tutorials that explain exactly what to do — reducing friction and improving user satisfaction.• Strong Branding & Emotional Connection

Because 2D animation is highly customizable, companies can align the animation style with their brand identity — colors, icons, mascots, tone, etc. This helps build a consistent brand image and makes the software feel more approachable and human.

Moreover, story‑based animated videos can create emotional resonance. Instead of just describing features, they can present a user’s pain‑point and show how your software fixes it — making the benefit feel real and relatable.

• Cost‑Effectiveness and Versatility

Compared to live‑action videos (which need actors, sets, filming, editing), 2D animated videos are often cheaper, faster and more flexible. They avoid costs related to shooting, permits, actors — and make updates or changes easier when the software UI changes.

They’re also reusable: the same video can be embedded on a landing page, shared on social media, included in emails, or used in in-app onboarding.

📈 Real-World Impact: Data & Trends Supporting Explainer Videos for SaaS

  • One recent survey suggests that up to 81% of businesses reported increased sales after deploying explainer videos.

  • Many studies indicate that explainer videos can improve conversion rates by up to 80%, depending on placement and target audience.

  • Video content tends to deliver stronger message retention. According to research cited by video‑marketing sources: an audience retains 95% of a message when delivered via video vs about 10% when via text.

  • Animated explainers are often seen as a standard marketing tool among SaaS companies — because of their efficiency, clarity, and engagement.

These numbers help explain why more SaaS businesses are flipping the script: instead of long blog posts or complicated UI walkthroughs, they now lead with animated explainers as their first impression.

🧰 Best Practices for Creating Effective SaaS 2D Explainer Videos

If you’re a SaaS business considering investing in animated explainer videos (or you provide 2D animation services like your site does), follow these “best practices” to maximize ROI:

1. Keep It Short & Focused (60–90 sec)

Your explainer should quickly highlight: the problem → the solution (your product) → the benefit. Avoid feature overload. A clear, concise script is more effective.

2. Use Problem → Solution → Benefit Structure (Storytelling)

Start by showing the user pain‑point (confusion, inefficiency, burden). Then show how your software solves it, and end with the clear benefit. This narrative structure resonates more than dry feature lists.

3. Visual Clarity & Branding

Use clean visuals, brand colors, consistent typography/icons. Visual style should match your brand identity — this builds professionalism and trust.

4. Show the Software (UI or Workflow) — Not Just Generic Animation

If possible, animate the software interface or simulate how a user interacts with it (clicks, navigation, results). Realistic depiction helps users visualize actual use.

5. Add Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

At the end of the video, prompt an action: “Start Free Trial”, “Book a Demo”, “Contact Sales” — whatever aligns with your funnel. Without a CTA, engagement may stall.

6. Optimize for Different Platforms & Contexts

Embed the video on your homepage / landing page, include in email campaigns, share on social media, or use in onboarding flows. Versatility increases reach and impact.

7. Use High-Quality Animation & Voiceover

Quality matters: good animation plus professional voiceover adds credibility. Poor animations can backfire and harm brand image.

🎥 Why 2D Animation (Rather Than Live Action or 3D) Often Wins for SaaS

  • Budget‑friendly & faster production — no sets, actors, or reshoots needed.

  • Visual abstraction works well for software concepts — features like “cloud sync”, “data flow”, “user permissions” are intangible; animation makes them visible.

  • Easier updates and revisions — as your software evolves (UI changes / new features), you can update the animation much more easily than re-shooting a live video.

  • Universal appeal — 2D animation transcends language and cultural barriers; with simple tweaks it can target global audiences — useful for SaaS companies with an international user base.

🚀 What This Means for Animation Studios (Like Yours)

If you run or work at a 2D animation / creative agency (like your company described on Anideos), the surge in demand from SaaS companies is a big opportunity. Here’s how you can position yourself:

  • Market “SaaS Explainer Video Package” — emphasizing clarity, user-engagement, onboarding, and conversions.

  • Offer UI‑driven animations — show actual software interface mockups being used, not just abstract icons. Many SaaS clients will value this.

  • Provide short, high-impact 60–90 sec videos so clients get max ROI.

  • Offer multiple formats / resolutions — for web landing pages, social media ads, email campaigns, webinars, onboarding flows.

  • Emphasize cost‑effectiveness & speed vs live‑action. Especially attractive for startups or small SaaS firms.

  • Help with localization and global reach — since many SaaS companies serve global users, offer versions with different languages or region-wise customization.

✅ Conclusion: The Video-Driven Future of SaaS Marketing

In 2025, the SaaS landscape is more competitive than ever. To succeed, companies cannot just build great software — they must tell a clear, compelling story about what their software does and make it instantly understandable to a broad audience.

That’s why so many SaaS companies are turning to 2D animated explainer videos. They bridge the gap between technical complexity and user comprehension. They boost conversions, lower friction, simplify onboarding, and make software human.

For SaaS companies — and for animation studios serving them — the message is clear: animation is not a luxury; it’s a strategic necessity.

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