onboarding

Start by defining the activation event that correlates with retention, then map the funnel from signup to that event to find drop-off points. Reduce steps to first value, use a 3-7 item onboarding checklist ordered by impact, and turn empty states into guided first actions.

Include 3-7 items covering the key activation actions, ordered by value with the quickest win first. Add a progress indicator, celebrate completions, and always allow users to dismiss the checklist so it never traps them.

Tooltips suit contextual feature discovery, product tours work for complex UIs but should stay under 3-5 steps and be dismissable, and setup wizards fit products requiring configuration before value. Combining approaches and A/B testing them usually works best.

A good empty state explains what the area is for, shows what it looks like populated with sample data, and presents one clear primary action to add the first item. This converts blank-canvas paralysis into a guided first step.

Define stalled criteria such as days inactive or incomplete setup, then trigger behavior-based emails reminding users of value, offer in-app recovery that resumes where they left off, and use personal outreach for high-value accounts.

Use signup optimization when the problem is the registration form itself, such as too many fields causing drop-off before account creation. Onboarding covers everything after signup: first-run experience, activation, and early retention.