Onboarding is the most critical part of the user journey, yet it is where most products fail. You’ve done the hard work of acquiring a user, but if the first experience is overwhelming, they will drop off and never return.

A successful onboarding experience isn't about teaching the user how to use your app; it's about helping the user find value as quickly as possible. Here are four common mistakes that kill retention:

1. Explaining Everything Upfront

Many designers feel the need to show a 10-page tutorial the moment an app opens.

• The Mistake: Bombarding users with every feature before they’ve even seen the dashboard.
• The Fix: Use progressive disclosure. Only show the user what they need to know for their immediate next step.

2. Asking for Too Much, Too Soon

Nothing kills momentum like a massive signup form or a dozen permission requests (Location, Camera, Notifications) immediately upon launch.

• The Mistake: Creating high friction before the user understands the value proposition.
• The Fix: Delay data collection. Ask for info only when it's contextually necessary to complete a task.

3. No Clear "First Win"

If a user finishes onboarding and still hasn't achieved anything, they feel a sense of "now what?".

• The Mistake: Focusing on the "how-to" rather than the "outcome."
• The Fix: Design for a "Quick Win." Ensure the user completes one meaningful action (e.g., creating their first project or sending their first message) during the first session.

4. Skipping Context and Value

Users don't want to use your app; they want to solve a problem.

• The Mistake: Explaining the function of a button without explaining the value it provides to the user.
• The Fix: Use onboarding to sell the benefit. Every step should remind the user why their life is about to get easier.

Conclusion

Good onboarding guides; it doesn't overwhelm. By focusing on value over features, you turn curious visitors into long-term users.