5 essentials of mobile app onboarding process

Today, it’s a race to win as we see apps, apps and more apps continuously sprouting about almost every single day. But then, before you gather your app users onboard, you need to gather your wits in the right order.

There are studies that suggest that an average app loses about 77 percent of its users within 3 days of download; it’s shocking, but true.

And what’s the reason? Why do people uninstall apps so frequently? We need to understand that not having an effective mobile app onboarding process is a big reason for that. There are certain things that can be done in this regard, so just read along to find out.

The following 5 aspects should be a part of your mobile app onboarding process

1. Ensure speedy user experience

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The FTUE i.e. the first time user experience of your application matters a lot. The average user is not interested in reading a thesis on your app. Instead of barraging them with long pages of introductory information at the very onset, you can take them directly to action. The “learn by doing” approach helps you speed up your mobile app onboarding process by multiples. Just make sure you immerse your users in an interactive app experience right away for deeper user engagement and app retention.

2. Limit the number of questions

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Your mobile app onboarding process is incomplete without asking relevant questions but remember you are not the FBI. Make sure that your mobile app onboarding process is adequately inquisitive but not intrusive. Be minimalistic from the start and avoid a tedious sign up process as it accounts for up to 56% user drop-off rate. And if the user is on a time crunch, she is even more likely to bid your app adieu. Therefore, optimizing the sign-up process is essential for the success of your app.

3. Ensure a snappy walkthrough

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Tutorials can be tricky when it comes to user onboarding because this is the step where you have to explain your app functionality without being boring. Now, a well designed video tutorial or/and quick-to-load coach screens and images are preferred any day over long written information. Imagery works better than text at engaging users. Moreover, studies also claim that a tutorial that encourages “learning by doing” approach reinforces the value proposition of your app.

So make your potential users stick to your application from the start with a quick and easy app tour that also indicates their progress at every step. You can show them the completion percentage, the number of screens or steps that remain while they are setting up your mobile app for the first time. And do make sure the learning tour has a “skip” option as well. This prevents them from going through overwhelming details and is an absolute must for an effective and fast mobile app onboarding procedure.

4. Be a friend

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The need to connect with them on a more human level is essential to ensure that your process for user onboarding on mobile app is as smooth as it can be. It is important that you don’t sound like an ad campaign for your own application. Ensuring friendliness is possible by selecting the right words and phrases for your app interface. This makes you more human and thus more relatable and approachable in the eyes of the users.

5. Listen to user feedback

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If you want to assimilate an efficient mobile app onboarding process, it is important that you listen well to your users. For that you may have to strain your ears because first time users are a valuable source of feedback. You need to understand where they get confused or stuck and provide relevant solutions to those issues in your interactive tutorials or videos.

You may also consider running a few quick user tests to see whether their understanding of the purpose and functionality of your app is adequate or not. And of course, you can also obtain some useful answers in exchange of email lessons to see what questions people face with your mobile application. This makes you come across as more empathetic and genuinely concerned of their app experience.