Most users don’t quit your product—they just never truly start.

As both a user and a designer, I’ve felt that frustration far too often and the sad part is that it is still ignored in practice. But if you truly value a user’s time and effort from the very first click, you can save your 💔 & build a lasting connection.

Why is initial user engagement not optional but the only shot you have?

• 😵‍💫 89% of users face friction in onboarding (Thomson Reuters).

• 🥊 13% switch to competitors right after onboarding.

• 🪙 Each +1 on a 10 point NPS(Net Promoter Score) in onboarding satisfaction = 3% more revenue (McKinsey).

📌 Most churn happens in Phase 2—Onboarding. That’s where confusion, friction, or lack of immediate value kills motivation. Therefore, we will be focusing more on Onboarding in this shot.

Onboarding should:

• 💪 Give users “small wins” fast.

• ⛳️ Clearly show progress.

• 🎉 Make learning fun, not exhausting.

Products that do this activate long-term retention. Those that don’t? ☠️ Dead on arrival.

✦ One analysis found nearly 25% of users quit after a single session, and about 75% drop off within the first week. Also, a better Onboarding strategy can give you an edge over your competitors. In short, users decide very quickly – if they don’t see instant value or face friction, they leave.

2. Let's understand this through an example. If your app has 1,000 new users 👥, and 750 leave within a week, it’s like hosting a party where only 1 in 4 guests stay past the welcome drinks🍹.

🧑🏻‍🎨 Let's fix it.

✦ Replace “Welcome! Let’s get started.”

✅ With “Here’s how you’ll [solve pain point] in 3 steps.”

✦ Avoid long signup forms or asking for credit cards before trust.

✅ Ask only what’s necessary, delay the rest (“Skip & Setup Later” works wonders).

✦ Avoid full tours with 10+ steps.

✅ Reveal tools contextually — only when the user needs them.

✦ Avoid silent confirmations.

✅ Use micro-feedback (checkmarks, confetti, subtle sounds, labels like “Step 1 Complete”).

✦ One-size-fits-all flows lead to user fatigue.

✅ Tailor based on role, goals, or use-case selection (e.g., “I’m a teacher / I’m a student”).

✦ Avoid mandatory walkthroughs.

✅ Let users explore freely with optional hints, breadcrumbs, or “Need help?” cues.

✦ Avoid static flows without data.

✅ Test versions, measure drop-off points, and refine continuously (use analytics or session replays).

Let's design experiences that retain💪.

Think 🧠 Design 🎨 Execute 🚀

Thoughtful UX. Scalable UI.

👋 Drop a message — let’s build something users love.