What is Onboarding?
Definition
The process of guiding new subscribers through initial setup and feature discovery to ensure they quickly find value in the service.
Understanding Onboarding
Onboarding is the critical first impression that determines long-term subscription success. Good onboarding increases activation (users reaching their 'aha moment'), which dramatically improves retention. Effective onboarding tactics include welcome emails, interactive product tours, setup wizards, personalized recommendations, and milestone celebrations.
Studies show that users who complete onboarding are 2-3x more likely to become long-term subscribers. For consumers, engaging with onboarding helps you get maximum value from new subscriptions and justifies the cost more quickly.
Related Terms
Engagement
The frequency and depth of a subscriber's interaction with a service, used as a key predictor of retention and expansion.
Retention Rate
The percentage of subscribers who continue their subscription over a given period, calculated as the inverse of churn rate.
Conversion Rate
The percentage of users who upgrade from a free plan or trial to a paid subscription.
Activation
The moment when a new subscriber first experiences meaningful value from a service, increasing their likelihood of long-term retention.