The Top 10 PLG Mistakes Companies Often Make: Navigating the Minefield of Product-Led Growth

Liat Ben-Zur
20 min readJan 17, 2024

Introduction

Why do some Product-Led Growth (PLG) initiatives skyrocket, while others barely leave the ground? The answer often lies in the subtle, yet critical mistakes companies make without even realizing it. In the world of PLG, it’s not just about having a great product; it’s about mastering the art of user engagement, pricing strategies, and value communication. In this blog, we’ll dissect the top 10 PLG mistakes that can derail your journey to success, complete with real-world examples and practical solutions.

Mistake #1: Fumbling the First Impression with a Lackluster Onboarding

Why Your Onboarding Might Be Ghosting Your Users

Imagine you show up on a first date and your match just sits there staring at you blankly. No introduction, no conversation starters, no attempt to get to know you. How fast would you be plotting your escape route?

Many startups make the equivalent first date faux pas when onboarding new users. They dive right into showing off their product’s advanced features before ensuring users understand the core value proposition.

This would be like talking marriage on a first date before even asking your match what they do for work. Slow down and lay the foundation first!

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Liat Ben-Zur

Digital Transformation Leader | Strategic Advisor | PLG, Product Management, IoT & AI Disruption | Diversity & Inclusion | Speaker | Board Member | ex-CVP MSFT