Case Study: AI Content Generation for SaaS Onboarding | Fractional CPO
Case Study #1

AI Content Generation to Remove Onboarding Friction

How we helped a TravelTech CMS increase trial-to-paid conversion by 10% by solving the “Blank Slate” problem.

Client Industry
TravelTech SaaS
Primary Result
+10% Conversions
Services Provided
• Onboarding Optimization
• AI Product Strategy
• UX/UI Reframing

The Challenge

When I joined this client as a Fractional Chief Product Officer, the platform faced a common but costly issue. New users were landing in an empty CMS and immediately stalling at the first step: creating content.

With no examples or drafts to guide them, the experience felt overwhelming. The product was strong, but the value was hidden behind too much friction.

The Pain Point:

Only 35% of trial users converted to paid plans, and just over half completed the onboarding process.

The Solution

My focus was to turn onboarding into a moment of instant value, not confusion. Instead of adding new steps or complexity, I reframed the experience to make progress visible within minutes.

AI Integration

Integrated AI directly into the CMS to auto-draft listings and descriptions as soon as users signed up.

“Review” vs “Create”

Redesigned onboarding around a Review checklist, shifting mindset from “start from scratch” to “refine what’s there.”

One-Click Validation

Added a one-click “Approve or Improve” flow, making human validation fast and intuitive.

Re-engagement Loop

Implemented email sequences deep-linking users back to their “Review Generated Content” step.

Outcomes

The Impact

By making the product demonstrate value within minutes, the client’s growth metrics shifted almost immediately.

Trial to Paid
35%
45%
+10 pts Improvement
Onboarding Completion
52%
81%
+29 pts Improvement
Time to Activation
3.5d
1.2d
-66% Faster

“We did not add complexity. We removed friction so value appears in minutes.”

Client Insight

Key Takeaways from this Case Study

01

Hiring a Fractional CPO can accelerate product impact by focusing on strategic friction removal, not just new features.

02

AI integration can simplify onboarding and showcase value from the very first login.

03

UX reframes like changing “Create” to “Review” can drastically improve user motivation.

04

Faster time-to-value leads directly to higher activation and conversion rates.

Ready to remove friction in your product?

Let’s discuss how a Fractional CPO can help optimize your onboarding and activation.