Table of Contents
Introduction
When I think about a first-time user experience that makes me want to quit or return a product, I am reminded of a childhood memory. I was 13 years old and my parents decided to move, which meant changing schools. Every day, I had to take the same road to and from school, spending a total of three hours on the road. Needless to say, it was not the most enjoyable experience.
As a 13-year-old, I didn’t have much choice in the matter, so I had to accept the change. However, when it comes to switching a product or experience for a better one, I have learned to not take it for granted. In this article, we will be discussing the importance of the first-time user experience (FTUE) and how it affects long-term retention rates and the user journey.
Importance of the First-Time User Experience
The first-time user experience is crucial because it is often the deciding factor for users to continue using a product or not. If the initial experience leaves a bad impression, users are less likely to stick around. On the other hand, a positive first-time experience can lead to increased conversion rates and user retention.
There are several reasons why you should pay more attention to your FTUE. Firstly, potential users interact with your product during the registration process or when scheduling a demo. In order for them to take these steps towards conversion, you need to provide a positive user experience.
Secondly, a better initial user experience is closely tied to your conversion funnel and activation rates. By optimizing your FTUE, you can improve these metrics and ultimately increase user retention.
Lastly, user retention is crucial for the success of your product. If users have a bad experience during their first interaction, they are less likely to stick around and more likely to share their negative experience with others. On the other hand, a satisfied customer will not only continue using your product, but they will also recommend it to others.
Steps to Enhance the First-Time User Experience
Improving your first-time user experience doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are some steps to get you started:
1. Make Download and Signup Easier
The first step in providing a good FTUE is to make it easy for users to download and sign up for your app. Avoid requiring too much information upfront and consider using progressive profiling to gather additional information over time. For example, you can follow Asana’s example of only asking for an email address during the signup process.
2. Always Welcome Warmly and Never Insist on a Product Tour
After users sign up for your app, make sure to welcome them warmly. Consider including a short welcome message or video to guide them through the next steps. However, it’s important to give users the option to skip the product tour if they wish. Slack does a great job of offering a product tour but also allowing users to skip it if they prefer.
3. Don’t Push Creativity in the Wrong Places
While it’s important to distinguish yourself from competitors, be mindful of where you introduce creativity in your app. For commonly used features and functions, it’s best to stick with familiar designs and placements. For example, avoid placing the search button in a different location just for the sake of creativity. ClickUp learned this lesson when they tried placing the search button below in their mobile app, which confused users.
4. Use Checklists, Progress, and Time Indicators
To help users navigate through your app and onboarding process, consider using checklists, progress indicators, and time estimates. These visual cues will help users understand where they are in their journey and how much progress they have made. Navattic provides a great example of an onboarding checklist that includes estimated time and a progress bar.
5. Collect Feedback After the First Interaction with Users
After users have had their first interaction with your app, it’s important to collect feedback to understand their experience. This feedback can help you optimize your UX, product design, and onboarding strategy. Canva uses a well-designed feedback survey after users complete a design to gather actionable insights.
Top 3 First-Time User Experience Examples and Best Practices
Here are my top three examples of first-time user experiences and best practices:
-
Notion: Notion provides a simple and clean signup process that can be completed in seconds. They also offer a progress bar to make the process more digestible for new users. Additionally, information hotspots provide further information without overwhelming the user interface.
-
Slack: Slack knows the importance of a good first impression and offers a simple welcome message to new users. They also provide a product tour but allow users to skip it if they choose. This approach ensures that users are not overwhelmed with too much information during their first interaction.
-
ClickUp: ClickUp uses checklists to help users navigate their onboarding journey. By breaking down the onboarding process into four simple steps, they make it easy for users to understand where they are and what they need to do next.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, the first-time user experience is crucial for the success of your product. By optimizing the FTUE, you can increase conversion rates, user retention, and ultimately improve the overall user journey. Following the steps and best practices outlined in this article can help you create a positive and memorable first-time user experience for your app.
Remember, the key is to make it easy for users to get started, provide a warm welcome, avoid creativity in the wrong places, use visual cues to guide users, and collect feedback to continuously improve your FTUE. By focusing on these areas, you can set your product up for success from the very beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What does FTUE stand for?
FTUE stands for first-time user experience. -
What makes a good first-time user experience?
A good first-time user experience is characterized by ease of use, clear onboarding instructions, and a positive overall experience for the user. -
What is new user experience?
New user experience, also known as first-time user experience (FTUE), refers to the initial interaction and onboarding process that new users go through when using an app or product.