Onboarding - App Architecture - iOS - Human Interface Guidelines - Apple Developer
This is something I often over look because I often think people will understand how the app will work straight away. Reality this is not the case. Onboarding should be a quick introduction to the service but yet it needs to be an experience and keep people engaged. The end result should be an experience and add to the overall service.
Onboarding is used as a touch point to introduce new users and reconnect returning ones to your app. An onboarding experience should be optional, fast, engaging and educational to help people understand your app, without becoming a nuisance for your user.
Onboarding should used to help people enjoy your app not just to set it up. People appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your product.
Let your users get to the action fast. Once your users are past the the launch screen and arrive at the home screen, let your users ****dive right in and start enjoying your app. However, If you need to provide tutorials or intro sequences, give people a way to skip them and don’t automatically show them when people return.
Users may need help. When designing a service be aware and look for areas were people might be stuck.
A game, for example, could casually show useful tips when paused or when a character isn’t advancing.
Always give the option for people to replay the tutorial in case people miss something the first time or forget what they are supposed to do
Stick to the essentials in tutorials. Its a good idea to provide educational information for new people but it should not be the main part of the app. Firstly, users should be able to use your app instinctively.
If people seem to need too much guidance, revisit the design of your app.
Make learning fun. When creating your onboarding experience, make sure to avoid a list of instructions that people have to read. Users should be enjoying the experience and they will also learn more by doing. Use animations and interactivity to educate user gradually and avoid static screenshots because people will expect something to happen.