In today’s fast-paced, competitive SaaS industry, support expenses can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line. Many SaaS companies are now using 2D animation as a way to decrease customer support costs by 40%.
This article will explain how 2D animations can reduce customer support costs by 40% while explaining complex software concepts to users, making support requests shorter and/or fewer, and increasing user satisfaction, all while being a value-added, informative, and entertaining solution.
Why 2D Animation Will Transform SaaS Support
2D animations will simplify complex features and workflows of software products into clean, entertaining, and visual stories that customers and users can easily disseminate and engage with. Engaging with ‘animated’ content can mitigate confusion and avoid repeated engagements with customer support.
- 2D animations can succinctly communicate product capabilities and processes to users in a brief timeframe, typically just 60-90 seconds, resulting in less onboarding time.
- At the same time, research indicates animated explainer videos can increase user engagement levels by over 65%, and higher engagement levels correlate to fewer support inquiries.
- SaaS companies investing in 2D animation have reported support cost reductions as high as 40%, as they receive fewer support calls and customers are able to resolve issues quickly on their own.
Communicating Complicated SaaS Concepts
SaaS products are often complex with sophisticated capabilities that can bombard users. 2D animations are very effective for breaking these down into step-by-step processes with engaging visuals and stories that enhance product comprehension, regardless of the user’s technical background.
- In turn, 2D animation increases customer self-reliance, as the customer can troubleshoot and resolve issues using animated product videos and tutorials.
- Animation promotes customer satisfaction as the users become more comfortable making decisions without the need for direct support.
Additional Read
SaaS Growth Hack: Why Early-Stage Startups Invest in Explainers First?
Cost-Effectiveness of Creating 2D Animation for SaaS Companies
2D animation generally costs less and takes less time to produce than other video types, such as 3D animation or live-action. This represents a financially and temporally accessible option even for startup SaaS firms and mid-sized companies.
- Costs for a 1-minute 2D explainer video in 2025 vary between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the complexity and style of the animation.
- As a simple example, high-quality 2D animation studios in Hyderabad are prepared to offer competitive pricing and an irresistible impact of return on investment (with clear results of improvement in user engagement and conversion rates).
- Producing these videos and uploading them online begins to lead to savings in the long run by drastically reducing the number of times a customer needs to reach out for support, which in turn frees up human resources and lowers human resources costs.
ROI and Real World Examples
There are a couple of SaaS companies that show examples of across-the-board measurable ROI after creating a 2D animated explainer video that they used in support and marketing of their products.
- As a case in point, a Hyderabad SaaS startup created a 1-minute 2D animation for $2500, resulting in a 40% increase in conversion and a significant reduction in the volume of support tickets they received.
- Beyond the scope of explainer and advertising videos, several leading SaaS companies are deploying animated demos to improve their customer experience video library. These animated demos provide visual, guided instructions – reducing the average call handling time for select issues while also allowing their customers to resolve issues more quickly.
Improving Customer Experience and Trust Through Animation
Animation is more than just about saving money – 2D animation can improve the entire user experience and build trust with protected customers.
- Animated videos produce brand impressions that stick and an emotional connection that is impossible to achieve with a traditional user manual or an FAQ with too much text.
- They are also a great way to present the unique value proposition of a SaaS product or the key selling points in a visual format, which will lead users to take action quickly, so you see higher rates of adoption, usage, and retention.
- Many industry “gurus” advocate this approach, and marketing consultant Neil Patel believes that using animation to summarize a quick, simple product explanation reduces a user’s bounce rate and increases sign-ups.
Using 2D Animation in SaaS Support, Crafting Best Practices
The best way for SaaS organizations to gain maximum advantage of 2D animation for support cost savings is to:
- Analyze the users’ trouble spots and create animated tutorials or animated FAQ videos to alleviate their issues.
- Tell a story in a condensed format, always focusing on the users’ underlying concern.
- Utilize animated video in multiple points of a user’s journey, such as onboarding, in-app help, and support hub.
- Update the animated content regularly as the product evolves, keeping it relevant.
Summary
2D Animation provides a powerful, effective method for SaaS companies to save on support costs and improve user understanding and experience. By developing clear, entertaining animated content, SaaS companies can reduce support tickets, improve onboarding efficiency, and enjoy better customer engagement.
Now that you recognize the power of 2D animation in SaaS support, explore incorporating animated explainer videos into your SaaS strategy to generate smart scale and reduce total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q: How long does it take for SaaS companies to see support cost savings after utilizing 2D Animation?
A: Most SaaS companies have seen a noticeable reduction in support costs within 2 – 3 months after implementing 2D animated tutorials and explainer videos, as the user begins to solve the issue without the direct assistance of a support agent.
Q: What SaaS Support issues are best suited for 2D animated expressions?
A: The types of support that benefit most are complex product features, onboarding, and most commonly asked troubleshooting steps, as visual storytelling can accurately make difficult concepts clearer to the user while minimizing redundant support requests.
Q: Is 2D animation an economically viable option for early-stage SaaS startups?
A: Yes, 2D animation, typically, is a much cheaper option compared to both 3D and live-action video and begins around a production price of $1,000 to $5,000 per finished minute of animation. You’ll want to check rates with studios in lower-cost markets that offer attractive rates catered towards startups.
Q: How does 2D animation improve customer experience beyond value and cost?
A: Having animations creates engagement with your users and brand trust, as users find the memorable animation easier to consume, strengthening their confidence in your product and satisfaction level with your product, all of which aid in retention.
Q: Can we incorporate 2D animated videos directly into the SaaS product?
A: Of course! SaaS companies use 2D animations in their apps and support portals regularly, providing just-in-time help for their customers and less reliance on live support channels.