User onboarding refers to the system actively guiding users through your new product and getting value from it. The onboarding process is not just about introducing a new feature to your users, but it actually extends throughout your user's lifecycle. The process starts before the user signs up for it and grows to the point when they become your premium customer. Onboarding is more than just showing your users that you have launched a new feature and how they can use it. To apply all principles effectively, you need more than just a product tour, which can be successfully achieved with user onboarding software.
User onboarding can be successful only if your users act via the right channel, with the right content, and at the right time. With this information, you can go deeper than a product tour and delight and retain your user base. You must understand the steps in converting a preview user into a proponent user.
- Preview user converting into a first-time user: The onboarding process starts before the customer is educated about a feature. It begins with marketing, which happens before the user experiences the product for the first time. It is a fact that many visitors who are new to your site need to learn about you, your app, and its features. They are just previewing your product; this is when you can encourage them to sign up. For this, focus on your app’s content, which should give a clear proposition of your product’s value and position your application as credible and valuable. It should clearly communicate your app’s use and core values so visitors know about and consider using it.
- First-time user converting into a committed user: Once your visitors get information about you and sign up, you should be careful about fulfilling your promises. In this stage, you must explain to your users how your app can be shaped to match their purpose. This is when your users have signed up and experienced your feature but have yet to become your regular users. You have to explain how to set upp the app, take valuable actions, make the best use of the app for their purpose, etc. You have to send them emails, in-app messages, notifications, links to product tours, etc. When users understand how to use the app, they will start seeing it as a helpful tool and begin using it regularly to solve their purpose.
- Committed user converting into a proponent user: In the next step, your regular users become your biggest fans. You can create an online community, host conferences, and ask your users to attend them. Since users are already habitual users of your app at this stage, your focus should be on deepening your relationship with them. Whenever they mention you, respond to them without fail. Instead of keeping your content strictly related to your app, interact with them on a personal level.
All in all, the user onboarding software from Apxor is a great way to help your users at any of these onboarding levels. It allows your users to start using your app and shows them how your app and features can give them a perfect solution. Once that’s achieved, it also helps you form a relationship with your users and retain them in the long term.