How to Design Better Empty States in Apps and Websites

Empty states are not dead ends. They are opportunities to educate, reassure, and guide. A well-designed empty state can reduce confusion, increase action, and make the product feel thoughtful even when there is “nothing there” yet.

Keyword focus: empty states, empty state design, app empty screen, UX writing

Why this topic matters

Users frequently land on screens with no content: no search results, no saved items, no messages, no uploaded files, or no data yet. If that moment feels blank and confusing, confidence drops immediately.

Core principles

The best empty states answer three questions fast: What is this? Why is it empty? What should I do next?

Explain the situation clearly

Users should understand whether the empty state is expected, temporary, filtered, or error-related. Clarity reduces the emotional cost of seeing “nothing.”

Give a meaningful next step

A good empty state suggests the next action: create, upload, search again, adjust filters, invite teammates, or explore examples. It should move users forward.

Match the user’s emotional state

Some empty states are neutral; others follow disappointment, like no search results or failed imports. The tone should feel supportive without becoming childish or distracting.

Use visuals to support comprehension, not to fill space

Illustrations can help make an interface feel polished, but the message and CTA matter more than decorative artwork.

Personalize when context helps

If you can tell why the state is empty—new account, strict filters, cleared history—use that context to make the message more relevant and actionable.

Practical checklist

Use this checklist to improve empty states across apps, dashboards, and content products:

• Does the empty state explain why the screen is empty?
• Is there a clear next step or CTA?
• Is the tone appropriate for the user’s likely emotion?
• Does the design distinguish empty state from loading or error states?
• Can you personalize the copy based on user context or filters?
• Is the message concise enough to scan quickly?

Empty state pattern guide

Not all empty states are the same. Match the message to the cause.

Common mistakes to avoid

Weak empty states usually happen when teams treat them as placeholder copy instead of part of the real experience.

Showing only “No data”

That message reports the problem but does not explain cause or next action. It leaves users uncertain about whether they should wait, retry, or do something else.

Using playful copy at the wrong moment

Humor can work for low-stakes empty states, but after a failed search or frustrating filter setup, users often need clarity more than personality.

Confusing empty with broken

If the UI looks too blank or detached from the normal design, users may assume the page failed to load rather than understanding it is an intentional empty state.

FAQs

Key takeaways

• Empty states should inform, reassure, and guide.
• Always explain why the screen is empty and what to do next.
• Tone matters, especially after frustrating moments.
• Empty states are real UX, not filler content.

Further reading

SenseCentral internal links

• SenseCentral homepage
• SenseCentral: product design toolkit tag
• SenseCentral: Figma dashboard bundle tag
• SenseCentral: beginner AI design tools tag
• SenseCentral: verify AI images tag

Useful external resources

• Apple Human Interface Guidelines
• Material Design 3
• web.dev: Accessible responsive design
• Nielsen Norman Group: Mobile UX study guide
• Nielsen Norman Group: Mobile UX limitations and strengths

References

1. Apple Human Interface Guidelines
2. Material Design 3
3. web.dev: Accessible responsive design
4. Nielsen Norman Group: Mobile UX study guide
5. Nielsen Norman Group: Mobile UX limitations and strengths