Onboarding

July 9, 2018

Onboarding is the process of guiding new mobile app users to learn your app features, functionalities, benefits, and most importantly, its value in their lives.

When Does Onboarding Happen?

When people talk about user onboarding, they typically refer to a one-time process the user undergoes after installing your app and launching it for the first time. In this case, they may be confusing “onboarding” with the “product tour,” which is the initial quick start tutorial that many apps use to greet new users.

But if you stick with the definition that onboarding is teaching users the value of your app, then it makes sense that it’s a constant educational process. As you continuously improve the app, you must constantly be onboarding them into new features.

Why Onboarding is Crucial

Onboarding isn’t just shoving the entire menu of functions in your users’ faces. That doesn’t work. Rather, it’s a strategic way of communicating how your app – and your brand, by association – can improve your users’ lives, work, or time.

A great user onboarding experience helps improve the likelihood that users adopt your product by a magnitude of 7x.

Some Misconceptions About Onboarding

In case you’re confused, the initial product tour after installing your app is just one aspect of onboarding. It’s not all of it. There are other channels you can use for a more effective process, such as:

  • Email tutorials
  • Video walkthroughs
  • Real-time chat support
  • Knowledge base or wiki
  • FAQs on your website

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