With millions of app developers in Toronto, users have an overwhelming number of options. However, creating a great app is only half the battle – getting users to use and keep using your app is the real challenge.
Did you know nearly 25% of apps are abandoned after just one use? In fact, users abandon 77% of new apps within the first three days of download. That’s why creating a compelling onboarding experience is so important – it sets up the user’s entire app experience and can significantly impact their likelihood of sticking around.
Tips to Improve Mobile App Onboarding
1: Guide Users Through the Onboarding Process With Ease
Users don’t want to spend much time figuring out how to use your app. Studies show that users have an attention span of just eight seconds, so you must quickly make an excellent first impression.
To simplify your onboarding process, break it down into small, manageable steps. Use familiar language and avoid using technical jargon that could confuse users.
2: Using Visuals and Animations to Help Users Understand Your App’s Features
Visual aids and animations can significantly enhance the onboarding experience, making it more engaging and easier to understand. Studies show that visuals can improve learning by up to 400%
One effective way to use visuals and animations is to create a tutorial that guides users through your app’s features. Include simple animations demonstrating how to use specific features.
Another way to use visuals is to create an intuitive and visually appealing user interface.
Use colors and icons to help users understand different actions and functions. Provide clear visual cues that indicate the next step in the onboarding process, such as a button that says “Next” or an arrow that points to the next screen.
3: Show Them the Value: Communicating the Benefits of Your App During Onboarding
The most crucial aspect is communicating the benefits of your app to users. To retain users, you must clarify how your app can improve their lives.
- Avoid using technical jargon and complex language. Instead, use a conversational tone that is easy for users to understand. Explain how your app can solve a problem or improve their daily routine in a relatable and engaging way.
- Use real-life examples to demonstrate how your app can help in different scenarios. They can help users better understand the benefits and functionality of your app.
- Identify the features that provide high value to users and focus on highlighting them during onboarding. Use clear and concise language to explain how they work and benefit the user.
4: Tailor Your Onboarding Experience to Each User
Personalization is a vital aspect of a successful onboarding experience. When users feel that an app has been tailored to their needs, they will engage with it and become loyal. Here are some practical ways to customize your onboarding experience:
- Gather information about the user’s preferences, interests, and goals. This data can customize the messaging and features presented to the user.
- Use the data gathered during onboarding to provide personalized recommendations for features or content the user will likely enjoy.
- Tailor the messaging during onboarding to reflect the user’s preferences and goals. Use a tone that resonates with the user and highlights features most relevant to their needs.
- Many onboarding tools offer personalization features that allow you to deliver a unique experience for each user. Customize the onboarding process’s color scheme, layout, and messaging based on the user’s preferences.
5: Adding Fun and Motivation to Your Onboarding Process
Onboarding can sometimes feel like a chore for users. But what if you could make it engaging? That’s where gamification comes in. You can turn onboarding into a game using game design principles to add excitement and motivation. Here are some tips to get started:
- Make it clear what users will achieve by completing specific tasks during onboarding. Create rewards that users can earn, like badges, points, or access to new features.
- Challenge users to complete tasks within a specific timeframe or to demonstrate their knowledge of the app’s features. It can add a competitive element that makes onboarding more engaging.
- Progress bars provide a visual representation of the user’s progress and can be a motivating factor to keep going.
- Use storytelling techniques to create a narrative around the onboarding process. Use characters or scenarios that users can relate to, making the process more exciting and memorable.
- Include a leaderboard or social sharing features that compare user progress with others and encourage healthy competition.
Closing Remarks
As we wrap up this journey on improving mobile app onboarding, it’s important to remember that a great onboarding experience can be the key to unlocking your app’s full potential. It’s the first impression users have of your app, which can set the tone for their entire experience.
So, whether you’re a seasoned team of app developers in Toronto or just starting, taking the time to improve onboarding can make a world of difference. Your users will appreciate it, and your app will reap increased engagement and retention.
