Product Walkthrough in Product Onboarding

Introduction to Product Walkthroughs in Onboarding

When you start using a new product, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where a product walkthrough comes in. It’s a guided tour that helps you understand the key features and how to use them effectively.

Product walkthroughs are a vital part of product onboarding. They make sure you get the most out of the product quickly and with less frustration. Let’s explore how these walkthroughs work and why they matter.

What Is a Product Walkthrough?

A product walkthrough is a step-by-step guide that shows you how to use a product’s main features. It usually appears when you first open the product or after signing up. The goal is to help you learn by doing, not just reading instructions.

Walkthroughs often include:

• Pop-up tips highlighting buttons or sections
• Interactive steps requiring user action
• Short explanations that focus on benefits

For example, Glide apps use walkthroughs to help users build their first app by guiding them through adding data and customizing layouts.

Why Product Walkthroughs Are Important in Onboarding

Product walkthroughs improve onboarding by making the learning process easier and faster. When you understand how to use a product right away, you are more likely to keep using it.

Here are key benefits of walkthroughs:

• Reduce confusion: Clear guidance prevents users from feeling lost.
• Increase engagement: Interactive steps keep users interested.
• Boost retention: Users who understand the product stay longer.
• Lower support requests: Fewer questions mean less need for help.

Tools like Bubble and FlutterFlow include walkthroughs to help new users build apps without coding, improving their success rates.

How to Design an Effective Product Walkthrough

Creating a good walkthrough takes planning. You want it to be helpful but not annoying. Here are some tips to design one that users appreciate:

• Keep it short: Focus on essential features only.
• Use simple language: Avoid jargon or complex terms.
• Make it interactive: Let users try features during the walkthrough.
• Allow skipping: Some users prefer exploring on their own.
• Use visuals: Highlight buttons or areas clearly.

For example, Make (formerly Integromat) uses clear step-by-step guides with visuals to help users automate workflows without confusion.

Examples of Product Walkthroughs in No-Code/Low-Code Tools

Many no-code and low-code platforms use walkthroughs to help users build apps or automate tasks. Here are some examples:

• Bubble: Offers a guided tour when you start a new project, showing how to add elements and workflows.
• Glide: Walks users through connecting spreadsheets and customizing app layouts.
• FlutterFlow: Provides interactive tutorials on designing UI and linking data.
• Zapier: Uses walkthroughs to help users create their first automation step-by-step.

These walkthroughs reduce the learning curve and help users feel confident quickly.

Best Practices to Improve Walkthrough Effectiveness

To get the most from your product walkthrough, consider these best practices:

• Personalize content: Tailor steps based on user role or goals.
• Use progress indicators: Show users how far they’ve come.
• Gather feedback: Ask users if the walkthrough was helpful.
• Update regularly: Keep walkthroughs current with product changes.
• Combine with other onboarding: Use emails or videos to reinforce learning.

For instance, Zapier sends follow-up emails after walkthroughs to help users explore more features at their own pace.

Conclusion: Why You Should Use Product Walkthroughs in Onboarding

Product walkthroughs are a powerful way to welcome new users and help them succeed. By guiding users step-by-step, you reduce confusion and increase satisfaction.

If you want your users to adopt your product quickly and stay engaged, consider adding a well-designed walkthrough. It’s a smart investment that improves user experience and boosts your product’s success.