Do you remember the first days of your job? In a business context “onboarding” is used for new employees joining an organization. UX designers use this word for the process which makes the user familiar with their app.

The onboarding process in companies is complex, structured and important. The company cares about their new employees, gives them a good first day and a safe start in their company life.

Now think about your users. Downloading your app is like joining a company. The first seconds are like the first day in a new company. You have to care about your new users like a company cares about their new employees.

Let’s give your users a good feeling and welcome them to your app!

What is app onboarding?

Onboarding is the process that makes users familiar with an app.

But what exactly does this mean? Let’s have a look at the user´s mindset while downloading an app. Users know that there are alternative apps in the app store. Many users do research and try out several apps before deciding on one.

Onboarding is the first point of contact with your new users. It guides, explains the functionalities, explains the value of your app and creates a positive user experience.

Creating a great first impression and providing a positive user experience during the first seconds of app usage is a fundamental step to keep users using your app.

Why is onboarding important?

“…the average app loses 77% of its DAUs (editors note: daily active users) within the first 3 days after the install.” — Andrew Chen

This is why you should think about your onboarding process. It is the first impression the users get from your app — if you have implemented it.

If not? Then the users have to tap around and try to find out how your app works and what the benefits of your app are — or your users try another app. It’s up to you if you want to help them!

If you are still wondering if you need onboarding or not: Here are some scenarios in which you definitely need onboarding:

Your app is controlled by (uncommon) gestures

You’ve redesigned your app and want to explain the changes

Your users overlook the main features of your app because you provide a large number of features

You just don’t want to let your users be alone during their first app usage

This is also why you constantly need to monitor your onboarding — for example with our analytics tool UXCam.

Ways to onboard your users

There are three different ways to onboard your users. Each of them has different key aspects and can be used in different situations and for different apps.