You can fill a dashboard with sample projects and feel that the product is ready. But what will somebody see when they sign up for the first time? No projects, no listings and no history. That version of the screen needs attention too.
I want a new user to understand what to do without having to message me first. An empty screen should help them begin.
Tell the person why nothing is showing
Imagine you open a portfolio builder and see a blank section called “Projects.” You may wonder whether it is still loading, whether something failed or whether you are supposed to add something.
A message like “You haven't added a project yet” clears that up. Then explain what to add: “Add a title, a short description, and a link to something you have made.”
Keep it simple and connected to what the person came to do. They don't need to learn every feature before adding their first useful item.
Show the next step where they can see it
“Add your first project” tells me more than a button that only says “Start.” Put the button near the explanation. Don't make somebody search through the menu to figure out how to begin.
If the person needs to complete their profile before publishing, show what is missing and where to fill it in. A blocked action needs an explanation.
Also, an empty account and an empty search result are different situations. If there are no search matches, the person may need to clear a filter. If they haven't created anything yet, they need a way to add it. The same message will not help both people.
Try it with a fresh account
Remove the sample data from your test and go through the steps as a new user. Add the first item, return to the screen and check that it appears. Read the instructions again. Do they still fit?
Then check a failed attempt. If the request fails, does the person keep what they typed? Does the message explain what they can do next?
These small details matter to me because signing up is only the beginning. The person still needs to do something useful. A clear explanation and one relevant action can help them get there without guessing.