Users skip onboarding and miss key features
Turn setup into a game. A checklist with a progress bar makes people want to complete it. Each step teaches a feature.
When to use
Your product has multiple features and users need guidance on what to do first.
Hypothesis template
If we add an onboarding checklist that guides users through [key actions], completion rate will reach [target]% because people are driven to finish what they start.
Method
The problem: You built tooltips and tutorials. Users skip them. They miss the features that would make them stay.
What Trello does: Shows new users a "Getting Started" board—a Trello board that teaches Trello. Each card is a task: "Create a card," "Move a card," "Add a member." A progress bar shows completion.
Why checklists work:
- Zeigarnik effect: incomplete tasks nag at us (we WANT to finish)
- Progress bar creates momentum ("I'm already 40% done!")
- Each step is small and achievable
- Users learn by doing, not reading
How to build it:
- List the 5-7 actions that lead to activation (not 15—keep it short)
- Order them from easiest to most impactful
- Show a progress bar or completion percentage
- Celebrate each step (checkmark animation, confetti, a message)
- Celebrate completion (unlock something, show a reward)
- Let users dismiss it (don't force it)
What to include:
- Actions that demonstrate core value
- Things that create investment (add data, customize, invite)
- The ONE thing that predicts retention
Bonus: Offer a small reward for 100% completion (extended trial, premium feature, badge).
Success metrics
- •Checklist completion rate
- •Steps completed on average
- •Activation rate (checklist completers vs non-completers)
- •7-day retention difference
Prerequisites
- Clear activation steps identified
- UI space for a checklist widget
- Event tracking for each step
Common pitfalls
- •Too many steps (keep it 5-7)
- •Steps that aren't actually valuable
- •No celebration on completion
- •Checklist that can't be dismissed (annoying)
Source: Trello. Onboarding board teaches product by using the product.
Suggested ICE scores
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