If you're tired of staring at a blank screen when it's time to crank out product walkthroughs or feature launches, you're not alone. GTM (go-to-market) teams are expected to create sharp, useful content—fast. But let's face it: building the same product tours from scratch every time is a waste of energy. Arcade templates promise to fix that.
This guide is for anyone in marketing, enablement, or product trying to make demos and guides that don't look like they were slapped together at the last minute. I'll walk you through how to actually use Arcade templates to get good content out the door quickly—without sacrificing quality or losing your mind.
Why Arcade Templates? (And What They Actually Do)
Arcade is a tool for building interactive product demos and guides. Templates are prebuilt demo flows—think reusable blueprints for onboarding, feature launches, or FAQs.
Here's what templates actually help with: - Speed: Skip repetitive setup. You’re not reinventing the wheel. - Consistency: Your demos look like they came from the same planet. - Less Fiddling: Fewer decisions about layout and structure. - Easy Updating: Change a template, update everywhere.
But, let’s not kid ourselves—templates aren’t magic. If you drop in your content without tweaking, it’ll look generic. Teams that get the most out of templates use them as a starting point, not a final product.
Step 1: Pick the Right Template (Don’t Overthink It)
Before you jump in, get clear on what you’re making. Is this a feature announcement? Customer onboarding? Quick FAQ? Arcade has templates for all of these, but not every template fits every story.
How to choose: - Browse Arcade’s template library by use case. - Look at successful past demos for your company—what actually worked? - Ignore templates that try to do too much. Simple usually wins.
Pro tip: Don’t waste time hunting for the “perfect” template. Pick the closest match and move on—you can tweak the details later.
Step 2: Make the Template Yours (Or, Why “Just Fill It In” Is a Trap)
Templates are a shortcut, but they’re also a trap if you get too lazy. Here’s how to avoid the “template zombie” look:
- Change the copy: Arcade templates have placeholder text. Rewrite it in your brand’s voice.
- Swap in real product screens: Replace demo content with your own screenshots or recordings.
- Cut what you don’t need: Most templates come with more steps than you’ll use. Delete extras ruthlessly.
- Add your own steps: If something’s missing—like a crucial tip—put it in. Don’t stick to the script if it’s wrong for your feature.
What to ignore: Default stock images, generic button labels, or instructions that don’t make sense for your workflow. These are there for speed, not accuracy.
Step 3: Get Feedback Early (So You Don’t Ship Garbage)
It’s tempting to polish in isolation, but you’ll move faster if you share drafts early. Here’s how to get feedback without slowing down:
- Send a quick link to a teammate. Ask, “Does this make sense without context?”
- Look for confusion, not just typos. If someone’s stuck on a step, fix it.
- Time the walkthrough. If it takes more than a few minutes, it’s probably too long.
Pro tip: Don’t ask for “thoughts” or general feedback. Be specific: “Is step 3 clear? Would you know what to click next?”
Step 4: Brand and Polish (But Don’t Get Lost in the Weeds)
Arcade lets you add your company’s branding—logos, colors, custom CTAs. Do this, but don’t let it suck up hours of your day.
- Drop in your logo and main brand color. Good enough is good enough.
- Use custom CTAs if you actually want people to take the next step. Don’t default to “Learn More” if you want them to “Start Trial.”
- Preview on desktop and mobile. Some templates look great on desktop but break on mobile.
What to skip: Fiddling with every pixel or color shade. Most viewers won’t notice minor tweaks; they’ll notice if your demo is confusing or broken.
Step 5: Publish, Embed, and Move On
Once your demo looks solid: - Publish from Arcade with one click. - Embed the demo in your launch post, help docs, or onboarding emails. Arcade gives you an embed code—just paste it. - Track performance. Arcade’s analytics are basic but useful. See where people drop off and tweak if needed.
Don’t get stuck: If you’re waiting for “perfect,” you’ll never ship. Get it out there, see if it works, and iterate.
What Actually Works (and What Usually Doesn’t)
Works: - Templates for repeatable flows: onboarding, common updates, FAQs. - Quick customization—just enough to fit your product. - Sharing drafts early to catch confusion.
Doesn’t: - Over-customizing templates until it takes longer than building from scratch. - Using templates for complex, unique demos—sometimes you just need to build your own. - Copy-pasting without editing. People can spot a lazy template a mile away.
Common Pitfalls (And How to Dodge Them)
- Template Overload: Too many choices usually means more indecision. Stick to a shortlist of templates your team likes.
- Forgetting to update content: Don’t let old screenshots or outdated steps slip in. Review before you publish.
- Ignoring analytics: If you never look at where people drop off, you’re missing easy wins.
Real-World Tips
- Build a “starter template” for your own team. Once you find a style that works, clone it and use it as your default.
- Keep demos short. 2–3 minutes is plenty for most use cases.
- Set up a feedback loop. After you launch, ask sales or support if the demo’s actually helping.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Templates are supposed to save you time, not turn you into a robot. Use them to skip the grunt work, but always add your own voice and focus on clarity. Ship, learn, and tweak. The fastest teams aren’t the ones with the fanciest demos—they’re the ones who keep things simple and keep moving.