Onboarding flows

How to make an onboarding flow

What I learned from being obsessed with onboarding

TL;DR: It's all about friction.

When I started, my product heavily focused on customer education and low-touch onboarding. I spent a lot of time interviewing senior product managers, designers, and customers, closely studying products I admired—and noting what worked and what didn't.

Here's what I learned:

1. Know Your Core Value

The onboarding journey actually begins with understanding your product's core value. What feature immediately shows your users why your product is amazing? If you're unsure, don't build low-touch onboarding yet. Instead, personally guide new users and learn from their experiences.

2. Map the Journey Clearly

Figure out the exact steps a user must take to reach your core product value. Then, eliminate friction at every step. Keep it smooth and straightforward, like sliding down an oiled pipe.

3. Avoid Lazy Solutions

Don't rely solely on basic click guides that "show users around" your app—they often get skipped. Ironically, click guides are part of my product, but relying on them alone isn't enough. Instead, build a dedicated onboarding experience with logic specifically designed to help users quickly realize your product’s value.

4. Simplify Every Step

At each onboarding step, ask users to do only one clear task—such as entering their email, adding credentials, or connecting an integration. The simpler, the better.

5. Always Provide Clear Next Steps

Once users reach your product, don't leave them guessing. Offer a clear checklist or guidance showing possible next steps without forcing actions. Allow them to explore at their own pace while subtly guiding them forward.

6. Continuously Reduce Friction

Accept that your first onboarding flow won’t be perfect. Observe users silently and note where they struggle. Keep refining and removing friction over time.

7. Learn from the Best

Check out products like Resend and Attio for great onboarding examples. They're excellent references for frictionless onboarding experiences.

Share your onboarding flow openly and ask for feedback—it’s invaluable, even if it doesn't directly bring immediate customers.

Happy onboarding!

Pascal Lohscheidt

CEO of Stepsailor