User Onboarding Patterns Research
Research Question
How do successful digital products design their initial user experience to maximize engagement and reduce churn?
Key Findings So Far
Progressive Disclosure Pattern
- Definition: Revealing information/features gradually based on user readiness
- Examples: Slack, Notion, Linear
- Benefits: Reduces cognitive load, increases completion rates
Guided Tours vs. Empty States
- Empty states with clear CTAs often perform better than lengthy tours
- Users prefer learning by doing rather than passive consumption
Literature Review
Papers to Read
- “The Design of Everyday Things” - Norman (Chapter 4)
- “Hooked” - Eyal (Onboarding section)
- “Don’t Make Me Think” - Krug
Key Sources
- Baymard Institute UX studies
- GoodUI evidence-based patterns
- UserOnboard case studies
Questions for Further Investigation
- How do different user segments respond to various onboarding approaches?
- What’s the optimal number of steps in a guided setup flow?
- How do we measure onboarding success beyond completion rates?
Methodology Notes
- Planning user interviews with 5-8 recent signups
- A/B testing different onboarding flows
- Analyzing support ticket patterns in first 30 days