What is app onboarding?

App onboarding is the first step of the user cycle that starts after install, and is the process of introducing users to an app or a game. An onboarding strategy consists of a series of steps that help users navigate the app and understand its main features, and can be cross-channel, using email, push notifications, and in-app tutorials to onboard the user to the core mechanics. 

The onboarding process can be longer or shorter, depending on the type of app. For example, a simple, hyper-casual mobile game can onboard users very quickly, while mid-core games typically require an extensive tutorial. 

Best practices for app onboarding 

• Keep it simple and to the point. Educate users about your app by highlighting only the core features and avoid overwhelming them with information. As they get more comfortable with the app ecosystem, you can slowly introduction additional feature layers to extend their experience. 
• Make it interactive. Users prefer interactive onboarding experiences that allow them to try things out on the go, so try overlaying an in-app tutorial that walks them through actually completing in-app actions for rewards. 
• Make it skippable. Some users wish to skip the onboarding process and explore the app on their own, so it’s good to provide this option – but include an “are you sure?” confirmation screen to make sure they didn’t click to close by accident.