How to Design a Great Onboarding: 10 Simple Tips for Every UI/UX Designer

Welcome to your guide on making the first steps with your product or service feel like a friendly handshake. In the digital rush of today, catching and keeping attention is key. A smooth onboarding is like a secret handshake that makes users feel at home, encouraging them to stick around and even cheer for you. Let’s break down how to create an onboarding that’s more like a warm hug than a long form to fill out.

1. Keep It Simple

Think about it: if people lose interest in a long YouTube ad, imagine them sitting through a never-ending onboarding. The secret? Keep it quick and sweet. Aim for a quick hello rather than a long chat. This way, users get the hang of your product without getting bored or lost.

Friendly Tip: Focus on what users really need to get started. The rest can wait. This keeps things light and fun.

2. Talk Benefits, Not Features

Picture being at a gathering where someone only talks about themselves. Annoying, right? That's how users feel when they're bombarded with features instead of hearing how it makes their life better. Flip the script to focus on how your product makes their day or solves their problem. It's like turning a monologue into a friendly chat about how you can help.

Friendly Tip: Share stories or examples that your users can relate to. This makes the benefits of your product crystal clear.

3. Hold Off on Asking for Details

Ever been asked for your ID right when you step into a store? It feels weird. The same goes for apps. Let users look around a bit before asking them to sign up or log in. This approach builds trust and shows you value them more than just for their email address. When it's time to commit, they'll be more likely to sign up since they've already seen what you offer.

Friendly Tip: Find the right time to ask users to log in, making it feel like a natural step in getting to know your product better.

4. Share Info Bit by Bit

Too much information all at once can be overwhelming. It's like trying to drink from a fire hose. Instead, introduce your product step by step, keeping users curious and engaged without overwhelming them. This makes learning about your product easy and enjoyable.

Friendly Tip: Think of your onboarding as a story, where each part reveals something new and exciting about what users can do next.

5. Make Progress Feel Rewarding

People tend to stick with things they've already put time or effort into. Encourage users to complete the onboarding by showing their progress and celebrating small wins. This not only keeps them going but also gives them a pat on the back right from the start.

Friendly Tip: Use visual cues or milestones to show users how far they've come. It's a nudge to keep going and shows that their effort is paying off.

6. Make It Personal

Just like Canva and Slack show us, making the experience feel tailored from the start can make a huge difference. By adjusting the content or look based on what users tell you early on, you create an instant bond.

Friendly Tip: Use early interactions to learn about your users and adjust the experience to fit their needs. It's like having a conversation where you're genuinely interested in the other person.

7. Let the Product Speak for Itself

Some companies, like Wistia, let users dive right into using the product. This hands-on approach can be really effective, especially if your product is easy to use. It lets users see the value and how it works without a lot of talk.

Friendly Tip: Add interactive tutorials or guided tours early on to show off what your product can do in a fun and engaging way.

8. Provide Help and Guidance

For more complex products, a mix of helpful resources and a clear set of tasks can make a big difference. This gives users the tools and direction they need to get the most out of your product, encouraging them to dive deeper.

Friendly Tip: Offer easy-to-find tutorials, FAQs, and guides, along with a clear task list to help users learn at their own pace.

9. Use Emails Wisely

Emails can reinforce the onboarding experience without overwhelming users. Whether they’re timed or triggered by certain actions, emails can offer extra help, resources, or a little motivation just when users need it.

Friendly Tip: Design emails that match the onboarding journey, providing support and insights at the right moments.

10. Keep Improving

Onboarding isn’t a one-and-done thing. It evolves with your product. Regular updates to the flow ensure it stays fresh, relevant, and engaging, keeping users coming back for more.

Friendly Tip: See onboarding as an ongoing process. Keep tweaking and improving based on new features and user feedback.

Wrapping It Up

Creating a great onboarding is like throwing the perfect welcome party. You want your guests (users) to feel at ease, engaged, and excited to return. By focusing on making things simple, beneficial, and engaging, you can turn first-time visitors into happy, loyal users.

Remember, onboarding is more than just showing off your product; it’s about starting a relationship based on value and trust. Take these tips, mix in your unique style, and watch your onboarding become the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Happy de!

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