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Did you know that onboarding processes that take more than 20 minutes end up with 70% of users quitting their attempt to open an account?
That is a pretty high percentage, especially considering that increasing client retention by 5% can raise profitability by 25-95%.
So, basically, you can lose a lot of money due to a bad onboarding process.Your app might be perfectly functional and visually stunning, but if the onboarding process is poor, users won’t stay long enough to experience it.
That's why we prepared 8 onboarding flow best practices for your app so you can learn how to avoid this problem.
Let’s dive in!
Why Is the Onboarding Process So Important?
The whole point of a good onboarding process is a great user experience.
Think about it, why would anyone use your app if they don't understand the point of it and how to use it?
That is exactly the fundamental purpose of the onboarding process - to walk users through the initial setup and features of the app leading to great user experience and to increasing user retention.
But there are more reasons why the onboarding process is so important:✅A successful onboarding process lowers user frustration by showing how to use the app and understand its purpose.
✅A user-friendly onboarding process improves satisfaction by making the app easier to use, resulting in a better overall experience.
✅You can reduce the need for customer support because users will quickly understand how to use the application.
✅All this can lead you to better app visibility
8 Onboarding Flow Best Practices
Since it is so important, let’s see some of the onboarding flow best practices!
1. Keep It Simple
Simplifying the onboarding process is key to its success.
When users are presented with too much information at once, they might quickly get overwhelmed and frustrated.
Therefore, it's essential to focus on the core features that are necessary for getting started with the app.
Prioritizing key features allows users to quickly grasp the app's main purpose and easily navigate it.
Let’s take a look at the WeTransfer onboarding flows example 👇
Why is it a good example?Because it:
🟢 Simply asks for account details
🟢 Clearly explains that all your transfers are in one place and what you can do with them
🟢 Has straightforward CTAs
2. Emphasize the Value
During the onboarding process, it is critical to emphasize your app's unique benefits and features.
If you clearly explain how your app can help users solve problems or improve their experience, you can make a good first impression and drive additional exploration and engagement.
Users must rapidly understand why your application is valuable and how it differs from competitors.
Begin by focussing on the key features that meet your ideal users’ needs and pain points.
For example, if your app improves productivity, demonstrate how it saves time and increases efficiency.
To make these benefits easier to understand, use real-world examples and events that are relevant to your target audience, such as PostHog does.
Why is it a good example?
Because it:
🟢 Emphasizes to the user the advantage of having free usage every month
🟢 Explains that user can integrate the app and start collecting data immediately
3. Ask For Concise Information
The fundamental purpose of a good onboarding process is to help users quickly create an account and begin using the product.
You have to streamline this procedure so that users are not annoyed or overwhelmed, which can lead to abandonment before they even begin.
To do this, the onboarding procedure should be as brief and simple as possible.
Begin with a straightforward, intuitive interface that walks users through account creation and initial setup.
This can include clear instructions, fewer form fields, and a user-friendly overall design.
For example, only request essential information during sign-up, such as an email address and password.
Why is it a good example?
Because it:
🟢 Allows users to simply proceed with existing Google or Apple account
🟢 Enables users to use single sign-on code
4. Offer the Option to Skip
Allowing users to skip the onboarding process is a critical component of user-friendly app design.
Many users appreciate the ability to avoid onboarding, particularly if they have previously used the application.
Forcing them to redo the onboarding process can be frustrating and may result in abandonment. By providing this option, you respect users' time and preferences, which improves their entire experience.
Implementing a "Skip" button is simple and can be clearly shown during the onboarding stages. It is important that this option is clearly visible and accessible so that users do not feel stuck during the onboarding process.
Why is this a good example?
Because it:
🟢 Enables users to decide if they want to complete their profile now or later
🟢 Has a clearly visible skip button
5. Show Users Their Progress
One critical part of a successful onboarding process is displaying users' progress.
This can be done via indicators such as a series of dots at the bottom of the screen, a progress bar, or numbered steps.
These markers act as a road map, allowing users to see how far they've come and how much work remains.
This awareness can dramatically boost user engagement and motivation, encouraging them to finish the onboarding process.
When users see a clear path to completion, they are more likely to feel accomplished as they progress through the steps.
For example, if an onboarding process consists of five phases, display the "Step 2 of 5" sign and help users understand where they are in the process and how much effort is left to complete.
Why is it a good example?
Because it:
🟢 Clearly shows the progress by filling up the line at the bottom
6. End with a Call to Action (CTA)
A strong Call to Action (CTA) is important in onboarding flows to encourage users to take the next step and begin using the app's key features.
It should direct visitors to a specific task that demonstrates the app's usefulness and encourages additional participation.
For example, an educational platform may prompt users to complete their first lesson, and a project management app may encourage users to create their first task or set up a project.
Furthermore, the CTA should convey a sense of urgency or excitement.
Phrases such as "Get Started Now," "Explore Your Dashboard," and "Discover Your First Task" can encourage visitors to take instant action.
You can increase the effectiveness of the CTA by providing fast feedback.
When users carry out the CTA-prompted activity, provide encouragement in the form of a congratulatory message or a progress update.
Why is this a good example?
Because it:
🟢 Leads user on what to do next
🟢 Gives ideas to consumers on how to use the app
7. Invest in User Experience (UX)
Investing in user experience (UX) is critical to the success of any software, especially during the onboarding process.
A well-designed UX guarantees that users have a smooth, interesting, and pleasant experience with your app from the very beginning.
A strong UX design focuses on the needs and behaviors of the users.
During onboarding, it’s essential to guide users through the app in a way that feels intuitive and effortless.
This includes clear navigation, detailed instructions, and a visually pleasing interface.
Why is this a good example?
Because it:
🟢 Is visually appealing with nice and warm colors
🟢 It includes subtitle notifications on available discounts
🟢 There is a visible “Learn More” button
🟢 Log in part is available as well
8. Reward Your Top Users
One of the most effective ways to encourage user retention and engagement is to reward your top users.
When users initially download your app or sign up for your platform, they are entering unknown terrain.
By providing rewards, you not only make this exploration fun, but also stimulate repeat use.
Establish a system in which users can earn free credits by performing particular onboarding chores.
These tasks can include filling out their profile, viewing tutorial videos, completing their first transaction, or reaching specific app milestones.
How to Choose the Right User Onboarding Flow for Your App?
Here are four additional tips to help you choose the onboarding flow for your app:
✔️ Understand your user base - Conduct thorough user research to better understand your target audience's needs, preferences, and problem areas. Customize the onboarding process to handle these individual factors. For example, if your users are tech-savvy, a shorter, more compact onboarding process may be sufficient.
✔️ Set clear objectives - Determine what you want to accomplish with your onboarding process. Do you want to educate consumers on essential features, enhance engagement, or decrease churn? Clear objectives will assist you in creating an onboarding flow that matches with your goals.
✔️ Select the right onboarding type - Depending on the complexity of your software, consider using a guided lesson, progressive onboarding, or interactive walkthrough. For example, a guided lesson can be helpful for difficult apps, whereas progressive onboarding is excellent for apps with various features that users have to learn over time.
✔️ Test and iterate - Continuously test your onboarding process with actual users to collect feedback and identify areas for improvement. A/B testing various onboarding tactics will help you decide which one is most beneficial for your target audience.
Wrapping It Up
As you can see, the onboarding process is critical for the overall user experience of your application.
Implementing effective onboarding flow best practices can help you reach your goal of retaining users and providing a positive experience.
The problem is frequently not in developing the application itself, but in gathering inspiration and ideas on how to build these flows and what the application should look like.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was a simpler way to handle the inspiration part?
That's exactly what we offer you.
Meet UX Maps! 🚀
How Can UX Maps Help You Create Onboarding Flows?
UX Maps is a design library that provides a large number of UI/UX designs and user flows to help you increase productivity and improve the quality of your work.
UX Maps eliminates the need to spend hours searching for the best solutions by providing fast access to high-quality design examples, making your design process more efficient.
Why use UX Maps?
Unlike other design platforms, UX Maps focuses on practical, user-friendly solutions that have worked well for quickly developing companies.
This means you'll have access to designs that are not just attractive, but also functional and efficient.
What can you do with UX Maps?
🚀 Browse 40,000 design examples, including screens, flows, and design elements, organized by company
🚀 Use the powerful search and filtering options to quickly find ideas
🚀 Organize your favorite designs into collections for easier access and share them with your colleagues
Sounds interesting?
Sign up now and be among the first to explore and benefit from top design examples by industry leaders!
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