If you’re in the SaaS or tech space, you know that onboarding is crucial for new users. But what you may not know is that it’s also a huge opportunity for your business.
In this post, we’ll cover eight ways to streamline user onboarding in tech platforms and ensure your users are successful from day one.
1. Streamline user onboarding by focusing on the “Aha! moment”
The Aha! moment is the first time a user gets real value from your product. This is the most important part of the onboarding process. When users get to the Aha! moment, they’re more likely to stick around and keep using your product.
To get users to the Aha! moment as quickly as possible, you need to figure out what that moment is. Then, you need to design your onboarding process to lead users to it.
For example, the Aha! moment for Netflix is when users start watching their first movie or TV show. To get users to that moment, Netflix makes it easy to sign up and quickly browse through their library of content.
2. Show users the value of your product
It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on the features of your product during onboarding. After all, you’ve worked hard to develop your product and you’re proud of what it can do.
But the truth is, most users don’t really care about the features of your product. What they care about is the value it can provide them.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re showing users the value of your product during onboarding. This means clearly communicating how your product can help them solve a problem or achieve a goal.
One of the best ways to do this is by using a value-focused onboarding framework, like the one shown below. This framework guides you through the process of identifying your users’ goals and challenges, and then mapping out how your product can help them.
When you show users the value of your product during onboarding, you increase the chances that they’ll stick around and become long-term customers. And that’s a win for everyone.
3. Use user onboarding checklists
Checklists are a great way to keep users on track and show them what they need to do next. They can also help you break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
For example, if you’re onboarding new users to a project management tool, you might use a checklist to show them how to create a new project, add team members and assign tasks.
Checklists can be used in a variety of ways, but they’re most effective when they’re short and to the point. You don’t want to overwhelm users with too much information. Instead, focus on the most important tasks and keep the checklist short and sweet.
4. Use in-app messaging
In-app messaging is a great way to communicate with your users when they’re using your platform. You can use in-app messaging to send targeted messages to users based on their activity, or to guide them through specific tasks.
In-app messaging is also a great way to show users new features or updates to your platform. You can use in-app messages to highlight new features, and even walk users through how to use them.
Best of all, in-app messaging is a great way to keep users engaged with your platform, and to show them that you care about their experience.
5. Create user onboarding emails
It’s a good idea to create a series of user onboarding emails that you can send to new users. These emails can be used to introduce new users to your platform, what it does, and how they can use it. You can also use these emails to introduce new features and updates.
The key to creating effective user onboarding emails is to keep them short and to the point. You don’t want to overwhelm new users with too much information. Instead, focus on the most important things they need to know to get started.
You can also use these emails to direct new users to other resources, like a knowledge base or support center, where they can learn more about your platform. Integrating form tracking within these emails or linked resources can help you understand which content resonates most and where users are dropping off during onboarding.
6. Use tooltips to streamline user onboarding
Tooltips are small, floating messages that are used to guide users through your platform. They can be used to explain a specific feature or tool, or to provide more general information to new users.
Tooltips are a great way to provide context without overwhelming users with a lot of information at once. You can use tooltips to explain what a specific feature does, or to provide more information about how to use your platform.
Tooltips are a great way to provide context without overwhelming users with a lot of information at once. You can use tooltips to explain what a specific feature does, or to provide more information about how to use your platform.
You can also use tooltips to highlight new features or to provide information about updates to your platform. This can be a great way to keep users engaged and to encourage them to explore your platform.
7. Create user onboarding videos
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million. User onboarding videos are an excellent way to show your customers how to use your product.
Videos are more engaging than text, and they can be a great way to quickly convey a lot of information. You can create videos for each step of the onboarding process, or you can create one long video that covers everything. You might also consider using a collage maker to combine screenshots, visuals, or user-generated content into a quick and appealing highlight reel for social media or internal tutorials.
Just be sure to keep your videos short and to the point. If your onboarding videos are too long, your customers might not watch them.
Timing matters if you share your onboarding content on social media platforms like TikTok. Posting at Peak TikTok hours can increase your engagement and the likelihood of success.
8. Use a user onboarding specialist
Finally, if you’re still not sure how to streamline the onboarding process for your tech platform, consider hiring a specialist. User onboarding specialists can help you identify the best ways to onboard your users and provide you with valuable insights and feedback.
You can find user onboarding specialists on freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, or you can hire an agency that specializes in onboarding. No matter which route you choose, a specialist can help you get your onboarding process on the right track.
Conclusion
Streamlining user onboarding is a win-win. You’ll save time and resources by training users more efficiently, and your users will be able to start using your product faster.
