Are Users Dropping Off at Onboarding? Here’s How to Fix That
You’ve done the hard work and got the user to download the app, sign up on your platform, or land on your product page. But then… silence. They drop off mid-onboarding, never to return.
This drop-off is not just a UX problem. It’s a revenue leak. And fixing it requires more than trimming your welcome screens or adding a progress bar.
Let’s go deeper.
The Real Cost of Drop-Offs During Onboarding
Every user who bounces at onboarding is a customer lost before they even see your value. According to Userpilot, around 40-60% of users never return after the first session. For many startups, that’s make-or-break.
But why do users leave?
Most onboarding processes are designed from your perspective, not theirs.
Step 1: Flip the Psychology – Show Value in 30 Seconds
Don’t explain. Prove.
Let’s say your app helps freelancers manage their finances. Don’t give them 4 tooltips and a product tour. Instead, drop them into a screen that auto-generates a dummy dashboard with fake income reports. Boom! Value felt in seconds.
For example, imagine walking into a gym trial and spending the first 15 minutes filling out forms and watching safety videos. You didn’t even touch the treadmill. Would you come back?
Try this:
Instead of asking users to "set up their profile," show them what a filled-out profile can do: "Here’s how top freelancers like you use our dashboard to track income across clients. Want yours?"
Step 2: Remove All Friction. Then Remove One More
We think onboarding friction is about speed. But it’s actually about mental load.
- Do you really need email, phone, OTP, and password before the user even knows what you do?
- Can you prefill data from Google or Apple sign-in?
- Can you eliminate jargon or complicated UI during the first 2 minutes?
Real Story: A SaaS product for HR professionals had a 7-step onboarding with form validations. By cutting it to 2 screens and offering dummy data, they increased activation by 48%.
Step 3: Use Progressive Disclosure (Let Curiosity Drive Action)
Don’t dump everything at once. Tease it.
Let users unlock features as they go, almost like a game.
Example: Duolingo doesn’t explain grammar rules upfront. It shows you how easy it is to start learning a new language by just tapping pictures and words. It’s addictive because it’s progressive.
Try this:
Use empty states to your advantage. Instead of showing “You have no tasks,” say:
“Create your first task and we’ll send a reminder exactly when you need it.”
Step 4: Talk Human, Not Software
"Please enter credentials to initiate the authentication process."
Sounds cold? That’s because it is.
Now try:
"Let’s get you in. Just your email and we’re good to go."
Tone = trust.
Conversion Booster: A/B test your onboarding copy with real users. Adding humor, warmth, and even emojis can make the process feel easier and more inviting.
Step 5: Personalize Onboarding in Real-Time
Most onboarding assumes everyone needs the same tour.
What if:
- A developer sees API keys first.
- A marketer sees dashboards first.
- A founder sees setup shortcuts.
Use onboarding questions or behavior-based triggers to show the right flow.
Example: Notion asks: “Are you using this for personal or team use?” and then tailors the onboarding journey.
Step 6: Build a “Minimum Lovable Onboarding”
The MVP mindset fails in onboarding. Don’t aim for minimum viable, aim for minimum lovable.
Ask yourself:
- Does this step spark curiosity or frustration?
- Does the user feel smart using this?
- Would I share a screenshot of this screen with my friend?
If the answer is no, revise it.
Before You Go: Use Lifecycle Nudges to Rescue Drop-Offs
If users still drop off, don’t give up.
- Use behavioral triggers to send smart nudges:
“You created a board but didn’t add a task. Want help?” - Offer micro-incentives:
“Complete setup and get 1 month free.” - Try reverse onboarding via email or WhatsApp:
“We noticed you signed up. Want us to set up your dashboard for you?”
Need Help Rethinking Your Onboarding Flow?
At Pardy Panda Studios, we specialize in building digital products that users don’t want to quit, especially during onboarding. From frictionless flows to AI-personalized journeys, we craft experiences that make users feel smart, fast.
Book a free onboarding UX teardown call, and we’ll show you what’s broken and how to fix it.
FAQ: Fixing Onboarding Drop-Offs
Q1. Why do most users drop off during onboarding?
Most onboarding flows focus on explaining features rather than letting users feel value. Other reasons include long sign-up processes, unclear next steps, and a lack of personalization.
Q2. Should onboarding be skippable?
Yes, always. Power users or returning users may want to skip tutorials or walkthroughs. Let them explore at their own pace.
Q3. How long should onboarding take?
Ideally, users should experience core value within 30–60 seconds. Full setup can happen in the background or progressively.
Q4. How can I test if my onboarding is effective?
Use metrics like time-to-value, feature adoption within the first session, drop-off rates, and user feedback surveys. A/B test different flows and measure activation improvements.
Q5. Can gamification help in onboarding?
Absolutely. Progress bars, rewards, checklists, and interactive walkthroughs can drive motivation and reduce abandonment.
Q6. I have a B2B tool. Should onboarding still be simple?
Especially for B2B! Your users are busy. If your tool requires a demo or training to start, consider that a red flag. Simplify the first experience.
