Master mobile app onboarding

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In recent times, the worldwide market has seen a dramatic increase in mobile app usage, and with it a big increase in revenue figures. However, about one in four users tend to abandon mobile apps after just one use. To halt such an alarming trend, mobile app developers need to work to provide a great user experience and make the introduction process smoother.

This is where user onboarding comes into picture. Providers of mobile app development services (such as Oxagile, where I work) typically recommend one of the following common types of onboarding:

• Benefits-oriented
• Function-oriented
• Progressive

In this article, we'll look into each technique to see how to effectively employ it. Use the drop-down above to navigate to each different type of mobile onboarding.

Benefits-oriented onboarding

You can use this method of onboarding to introduce the main benefits of a product, show users what perks they can expect and explain how those perks can be used in daily life. When applying benefits-oriented onboarding, there are some steps to follow. I'll run though them now.

01. Show one perk per screen 

Keep benefits to one per screen

No matter what number of benefits you decide to unveil, it’s paramount you stick to the 'one benefit per screen' rule. This way you won’t clutter your screen with too much information and will draw users’ attention to key points. 

02. Don’t limit yourself to just three benefits

Without doubt, three is a magic number, but sometimes it may be useful to introduce more than three benefits. Just don't go overboard – when trying to show the app in its glory, you don’t want to bore users with too much information.

03. Be concise

Verbs can help secure users' attention

Use appropriate vocabulary while introducing your app. Remember that one of the best ways to capture attention is to use verbs – here 'book', 'manage', 'check' and 'rate' give a strong call to action related to the app's key uses. Moreover, avoid lengthy descriptions – save them for app stores.

04. Save signup for later

Let people who are in a hurry to sign up do so

Onboarding represents an overview of your app. Going through this overview, the user should understand whether it's worth signing up. That’s why it is logical to put onboarding first and save users from being interrupted by benefits when they have already started exploring the app. However, to please those who want to skip some screens and get started right now, it's worth placing the signup option on each screen.

Next page: Function-oriented onboarding tips for mobile apps

The function-orientated onboarding technique is pretty self-explanatory. Try your hand at it when your goal is to make it clear how to handle your app, show core functionality, and explain when users should rely on one or another function.

Here are some things to consider when employing function-oriented onboarding:

01. Explain one function per screen

Focus on one element per screen

As with benefits-oriented onboarding, strive to simplify the process and avoid an overload of information by explaining one function per screen, clearly and concisely.

02. Try in-app hinting

Handy tips can help explain ambiguous elements

Explain your app’s functions by using hints or button labels. However, avoid describing things that are crystal clear. Like the entire app, your onboarding should provide true value to users. It’s pointless to describe such obvious elements as toggles, back and forward arrows, or close and cancel buttons [x].

03. Help users get started

Make sure your empty states aren't off-putting

If your app welcomes users with an empty screen, it will likely cause confusion – they won’t understand how to start using it and may think there is a bug. That’s why it’s essential to include a note, such as 'tap to add items' to help them start.

04. Let users skip to registration

As mentioned in the previous technique, allow users to skip introduction screens and to register easily at any stage of onboarding.

Next page: Progressive onboarding for mobile apps

One of the best ways to learn something is to see it in practice. Progressive onboarding relies on this idea. With such an approach, you introduce the app's features when users have actually started looking into it.

Below you can find advice on implementing the progressive onboarding technique.

01. Introduce hidden functions

The Feedly app offers a wealth of ways to share an article (via Twitter, G+, email, and so on). To avoid cluttering the navigation bar, it employs hidden functionality

Every mobile app developer aims to use the mobile screen space as effectively as possible, which means tricks such as expanding menus and hidden functionality are relatively common. In this situation, it’s a good idea to explain where those hidden functions are through onboarding.

02. Explain gesture-driven apps

Let users know how gestures work on your app

If your app is quite simple and relies heavily on gestures, the progressive onboarding technique is ideal. When onboarding, explain the function of each gesture through pop-up messages to users.

03. Offer further explanation

Provide a gesture cheatsheet

If your app uses a lot of gestures, it will be difficult for users to remember them all. Moreover, it's likely your app is not the only gesture-driven one in a user’s phone. Make things even more straightforward by explaining gestures in the app’s settings, so users can refer to them whenever they need to.

Combine onboarding options

The Human app onboarding combines benefits- (screens #1 and 2) and function-oriented (screen #3) techniques

The types of onboarding we've discussed here are the most popular ones. However, to successfully compete in the mobile app development space, you can adopt a complex approach by combining two or even three techniques. 

When experimenting, make sure such a combination adds high value and doesn’t pad your app's onboarding out.

Read more:

• How to use animation in mobile apps
• 10 tips for better mobile UX design
• 11 tips for ergonomic mobile interfaces

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