The objective of an onboarding process is to produce a positive first impression on the user. To achieve this, you have to explain what the user needs to know in a few clear steps. This onboarding process helps retain users in the short and long term.

Onboarding is a common term in human resources. It consists of the process of welcoming and integrating new employees into the team. When we talk about user onboarding applied to marketing, we refer to the user experience when accessing a website, a game or an APP for mobile devices for the first time.

Designing a successful "user onboarding" experience increases the chances of getting loyal users to our site. The most effective way to retain them is to create a simple process to get them started to use the features that out product offers. The first access can make the difference between whether a user wants to repeat the experience or not.

ONBOARDING IN MOBILE APPS

One of the areas where the design of a good user onboarding is most necessary is in the field of mobile APPs. The onboarding of an APP is the first impression that the user receives when accessing it. The importance of achieving a satisfactory user experience in those first moments is vital if we don't want to lose the user forever.

In fact, this is one of the main problems of mobile APPs. According to a study by consultant Andrew Chen, three out of four users who install an app abandon it within three days. As you can imagine, this implies a great economic loss for the businesses that implement them.

For this reason, it is vital to design an initiation and support process with a clear value proposition. The better the operation and usefulness of the APP is understood, the more likely we are to achieve a loyal user.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD ONBOARDING PROCESS

The onboarding process can have three levels depending on the welcome purpose:

- Show the benefits. The "user onboarding" is used to show the advantages of the APP.

- Explain functions. This form of "onboarding" consists of teaching the user the basic use of the application.

- Deep insight. In some cases, a step-by-step tour of all functions is necessary.

It is convenient for the process to be interactive, for the user to carry out simple actions to become familiar with the application. This method prevents the user from scrolling through screens without reading them. However, it is advisable to offer the possibility of skipping this process for those who consider it too long or not very relevant.

In summary, "user onboarding" must be brief, generate expectations and be interactive.

Here are some recommendations for onboarding design.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DESIGNING USER ONBOARDING

A successful onboarding process must show the tools that the user needs in a brief, pleasant and simple way. With the following tips you can design a "user onboarding" process that achieves its goal: generate engagement.

Involve the user: It is convenient for the user to perform some simple actions to complete the process. In this way, he will not be a passive spectator and become a protagonist. Of course, you must prevent him from feeling that he is wasting his time. The actions must have a benefit for the user; for example, getting contacts or followers.

Simplify the process: The less data the user has to provide in this first contact, the more likely you are to increase the conversion rate. For example, you can design a one-click login using social media.

Use a reward: Reward the effort and loyalty of your users with a reward system. Many platforms already use this method to achieve greater interaction and dwell time.

Use clear language that calls to action: Working on the usability of your application will avoid creating a complex and boring guide. Use simply language, with simple guidelines. Let the user explore it by himself.

Create a progress bar: How many steps will the user have to take to reach the end of the introduction? Keep them from giving up with a simple progress bar that shows how little is left to finish.

Show only the basics: Some applications have numerous functionalities that can be interesting. However, you cannot pretend to show them all in the initial process. Avoid overwhelming your users and focus on the essentials.

There is no single way to design a "user onboarding" process. The chosen model depends on the app type, the information it needs to collect and the functionalities it offers.

Most welcome processes consist of several screens through which a dialogue with the user is established. They explain what the application consists of and what its strengths are. The usual "onboarding" process includes a welcome screen, a tutorial, a registry process and notifications and permissions.