Do not index
Do not index
As I wrap up the initial launch of a Liveblocks plugin for Bubble, I’ve been thinking a lot about demos—what goes into them, and how they fit into a B2B app marketplace listing. A well-structured demo can do more than just showcase your integration; it can help answer support questions, highlight key features, and give users a quick start to get them up and running.
So, let’s dive into what makes an effective demo and how to structure one for your B2B integration.
What’s in a Demo?
A demo is a real-world demonstration of your integration in action. It shows prospective users how the integration works, rather than relying on text or documentation alone. It can also serve as a resource for users who need help solving problems or getting started quickly.
When structuring your demo, the key is to start with a clear purpose. What do you want users to take away from it? Is it a basic setup walkthrough, or are you showcasing a specific feature? For example, with the demo for the Liveblocks plugin for Bubble, my goal was to demonstrate how real-time collaboration works through features like presence and live cursors.
Structuring the demo
Intro/Overview
When structuring a demo, I like to start with a brief introduction that sets expectations. For example, “In this demo, you’ll see how live cursors and presence work in real time as users collaborate on the same page.” This gives users a clear understanding of what they’re about to experience and helps them focus on the key functionality from the beginning.
Key Features in Action
Next, I focus on showcasing the most important features. It’s essential to keep this part concise and centered on what makes your integration stand out. In my Liveblocks demo, for instance, I highlight real-time updates and live cursor movements. These features are the core of what makes the plugin valuable for collaboration, and they demonstrate the integration’s power in a real-world scenario.
Interactive Elements
Whenever possible, I aim to make the demo interactive. For example in the Liveblocks demo, I set it up so that users can open the demo on multiple pages to experience live interactions firsthand. Allowing users to click around, interact, and actively engage with the functionality makes the demo more memorable and impactful. Interactive demos provide users with a hands-on experience, which can help them better understand the integration's capabilities.
Supporting Materials
Finally, I always ensure that the demo is supported by clear links to documentation, the app itself, and instructions on how to get the integration. Lately, I’ve also started incorporating a cover page that lists all available demos, which helps users easily navigate through them. This approach scales well—if more questions or feature requests come in, I can add demos to address specific concerns, creating a comprehensive support resource for users.
Conclusion
Demos have become a critical part of how I showcase my integrations, especially in the context of B2B app marketplaces. They provide clarity, reduce friction for new users, and help answer common questions before they even arise. I’m constantly evolving how I structure them, and I’ve found that as my products grow, so do my demos.
What’s your approach to demos? How do you structure yours? I’d love to hear about it—send me a note!
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