Why your onboarding experience might be too short

Onboarding is a critical component of app design, as it sets the tone for user engagement and activation, which varies depending on the app's core function. While conventional wisdom suggests that onboarding should be as frictionless as possible to minimize user drop-off, some health and fitness apps have found success with longer onboarding processes, which can enhance the perceived value of the app by promising a more personalized experience. The podcast episode with members of the Lose It! team revealed that their longer onboarding processes increased trial start rates by using the information gathered to customize user experiences and introduce premium features. This approach underscores the importance of crafting onboarding experiences that align with the app's complexity and user expectations, even if it means adding friction to deliver greater value. Practical strategies for effective onboarding include providing context for questions, using progress bars, reinforcing value with social proof, varying question styles, and offering actionable insights before introducing payment options. Ultimately, success in onboarding should be measured by long-term user engagement and monetization rather than just initial trial conversion rates, emphasizing the need for testing and adapting onboarding strategies to suit specific app contexts.