When it comes to onboarding new users, the first impression is crucial. It sets the tone for their entire experience with your service. To ensure a positive onboarding process, there are certain things you should avoid. In this article, we will discuss some common pitfalls and provide tips on how to create an effective onboarding experience.
1. Avoid Uncertainty: Opt for Simple Loading Animations
Add captivating loading animations on your loading page to impress your audience and align with your branding. Take inspiration from successful apps like Calm and Headspace, which use the loading screen to encourage users to relax and calm down. By replacing spinners or other ambiguous loading indicators that create uncertainties, you can instil confidence in your audience right from the start.
2. Keep Sign-Up Pages Simple and Easy
When designing sign-up pages, simplicity is key. Avoid overwhelming users with too many decisions on a single page. Instead, consider separating input fields and signup options into multiple pages. This allows users to focus solely on providing their information without distraction. Make sure the options to sign up with OAuth are clearly visible before asking users to fill out multiple boxes.
3. Engage Users with Relevant Surveys
Including surveys in your onboarding process can be valuable for gathering user preferences and insights. However, it's important to keep users engaged by asking only necessary questions based on their preferences. It's best not to ask too many questions all at once. You wouldn't want to overwhelm a stranger with more than six questions at a time.
Additionally, it's important to have enough answer options in your questionnaire so that users don't feel limited or restricted in their choices. Avoid creating dead-end options; the answer options you provide should not be framed and specific. For instance, if a task scheduling app asks a user who joined specifically to achieve fitness goals about their specific objectives, the dead-end selection options will be staying motivated, managing time effectively, and staying focused. It places an unnecessary burden on users to think about which answers align best with their needs. If this continues, they might eventually think that the app doesn't meet their needs and stop using it.
4. Streamline the Onboarding Process
Throughout the entire onboarding journey, aim to eliminate redundant steps and minimise the need for confirming procedures. Instead of utilising a read and confirm page, consider implementing a loading page that effectively communicates the services that will be available to users. This reduces unnecessary clicks and keeps the onboarding process smooth, educational and efficient. 11- 80% of users say they’ve deleted an app because they didn’t know how to use it. (Wyzowl)
5. Avoid Immediate Purchase Plans
When introducing your product or service to new users, it's best to avoid immediately presenting them with a purchase plan. Most users won't be willing to pay for something they are unfamiliar with. Instead, provide options such as a free trial or a free plan to allow users to explore and experience the value your app offers. If you do choose to include pricing information during onboarding, focus on highlighting how your app can help users based on their preferences and goals.
By avoiding these common pitfalls in creating an onboarding experience, you can increase user satisfaction and retention. Remember, simplicity, relevance, and clarity are key elements that contribute to a successful onboarding process. Create your own app with FONSEKA and implement a fascinating onboarding process like never before!