Imagine this…
You walk into a restaurant, and instead of a menu, they bring you a random dish. Awkward, right? Onboarding is the same—if you don’t ask your users what they need, how can you give them the right experience? Great onboarding starts with a conversation, not assumptions.
The Birth of Relevance
Let’s throw it back to 1997 when Jeff Bezos started Amazon. What made it special wasn’t just the range of products but how tailored the experience felt. Amazon didn’t show you everything—it used data to highlight what you might like. That same principle applies to onboarding today. Instead of overwhelming users with every feature, ask them what they want and deliver an experience that feels personal.
Your action items are…
Start with a question: Ask users what they want to achieve or how they plan to use your product. This simple interaction builds trust and helps you align the onboarding flow to their needs.
Example: Canva asks “What would you like to do with Canva Pro?” to adjust users onboarding experience accordingly.
Deliver on the answer: Use the user’s response to customize the onboarding flow, showing only the most relevant features or steps.
Example: Attio asks “What will you be using Attio for?” and create tailored CRM Records that match with their selected usage.
Keep it conversational: Don’t feel robotic. Use casual, friendly language to make users feel at ease.
Imagine onboarding as the first chapter of a story
Instead of dumping the whole plot at once, start with a compelling question: “What’s your quest?” (Frodo vibes, anyone?). Guide your users on their journey with tools and tips that feel handpicked for them.
Asking users what they need shows you care and builds trust.
Personalizing onboarding reduces overwhelm and increases relevance.
Conversational onboarding feels welcoming and user-centric.
