Company
Date Published
Author
-
Word count
787
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

User onboarding is the process through which new users familiarize themselves with a product, involving steps such as sign-up, account creation, product demonstrations, and tutorials. This process is critical for software products, apps, and services like Hinge, Docusign, Slack, and Trello, though it varies significantly across different product categories. Effective onboarding is compared to a performance or dance, guiding users through thoughtfully designed experiences that mitigate negative emotions like fear and anxiety, thus enhancing user experience (UX). The goal is to lead users towards engagement and conversion, making the product indispensable for their specific needs. Despite the complexities, onboarding is crucial as it not only converts leads to users but also aims to retain them, acknowledging that many apps lose a significant portion of their user base shortly after installation.