Research showed that 22% of downloaded apps are only used once. So a good first time use experience is of crucial importance for the viability of an app or website. This is increasingly important since apps and services are becoming more versatile and complex. As a result, we’ve seen an increase in the number of "onboardings" in the last few years. Onboarding is the process of turning a first-time user into a repeat customer during the user’s first interaction with your product. In this slideshare we will show good examples of onboarding in 5 different approaches and conclude with some guidelines for design (describes below). There is no such thing as ‘the best approach’ since every app or website is different, but considering these guidelines will definitely ensure a better experience. And of course the approaches described can be combined in order to achieve the ideal onboarding. Guidelines for onboarding. - Explain the proposition - what is the added value for the user? - Explain hidden and crucial functionalities - how does the app work? - Explain them interactively - this puts learning into context and provides the user with feedback - Keep it informative, don’t explain obvious features - Try to insert a fun and emotionally engaging element - Limit content per panel, this makes the information easy to digest - Provide a way to skip the onboarding process - And let the user know where the onboarding can be found after skipping or finishing it - Communicate the number of steps so the user knows what to expect - Don’t force people to log in or register to experience content or features - Ensure the user moves to a logical page after the onboarding where s/he knows what to do and give next-step instructions if necessary Anything to add or ask? Mail me at floor@sodastudio.nl

1. Onboarding in
app design
23.11.2012
Great examples & guidelines
sodastudio.nl
sodostudio.nl

2. Research showed that 22% of downloaded
apps are only used once.
This is why a good first time use experience
is of crucial importance for the viability of
an app or website.
http://www.localytics.com/blog/2012/app-user-loyalty-increasing-ios-beats-android/

3. As a result, we’ve seen an increase in the
number of onboardings in the last few years.

4. Onboarding is the process of turning a
first-time user into a repeat customer
during the user’s first interaction
with your product.

5. In this slideshow we’ll show some
good examples of onboarding
in five different approaches.

6. 1.
Explain the value-proposition
2. Explain functionalities
3. Explain interactively
4. Onboarding during use
5. Blank slate

7. •
Improve the interaction between service provider and customers
•
Improve the interaction between service provider and customers
Show what’s relevant for the user in a
step-by-step onboarding sequence.

8. Pocket
1
Use limited content per panel.
This makes information easy to digest.
Feedly

9. Gmail
1
Provide the number of steps.
In order to manage expectations.
Pocket

10. Airbnb
1
Skip it!
Make sure the user is able skip the introduction.

11. 1. Explain the value-proposition
2.
Explain functionalities
3. Explain interactively
4. Onboarding during use
5. Blank slate

12. Explain hidden functionalities which are
crucial for the operation of the app.

13. 500 px
2
Directr
Explain hidden functionalities.
By showing them in an image (500 px) or by using inline hinting (Directr).

14. 1. Explain the value-proposition
2. Explain functionalities
3.
Explain interactively
!
4. Onboarding during use
5. Blank slate

15. Put learning into context and provide users
with feedback. They will better understand
and remember how things work.

16. Mailbox
3
Motivate
Positive feedback makes learning fun and emotionally engaging.

17. Weathercube
3
Store it
Show where the onboarding can be found.

18. 1. Explain the value-proposition
2. Explain functionalities
3. Explain interactively
4. Onboarding during use
!
!
5. Blank slate

19. A big advantage of onboarding during use is
that the app can be used immediately

20. Flipboard
4
Phased information
Users don’t have to digest all information at once.
Cut the rope

21. Clear app
4
Example content
Show how the app works with example content.

22. 1. Explain the value-proposition
2. Explain functionalities
3. Explain interactively
4. Onboarding during use
5.
Blank slate

23. The blank slate, often forgotten but
very important to the user.

24. Dropbox
5
500px
Use it
The blank slate is the perfect canvas for providing hints and tips.

25. Conclusion
11 guidelines for designing an
onboarding process

26. 11. Onboarding guidelines
proposition what is
for the user?
• Explain the the interaction- betweenthe added valueand customers
Improve
service provider
•Explain hidden and crucial functionalities - how does the app work?
•
Improve features interactively
• •Explain the the interaction between service provider and customers
• Keep it informative, don’t explain obvious features
• Don’t force users to log in or register to experience the app
• Try to insert a fun and emotionally engaging element
• Limit content per panel
• Communicate the number of steps
• Provide a way to skip the onboarding process
• Show where the onboarding can be found after skipping or finishing it
• Ensure the user moves to a logical page after finishing the onboarding

27. @sodastudioNL
sodastudioNL
floor@sodastudio.nl