In today’s digital world, users expect smooth and seamless experiences when interacting with apps. But here’s the reality: many apps fail to provide clear guidance on how to use their features, which often leads to confusion, frustration, and ultimately, uninstalls. If you’re developing an app, one of the most effective ways to ensure users stick around and make the most of your app is by providing thorough, engaging, and easy-to-follow tutorials.
In this blog post, we’re going to talk about why app tutorials are so crucial, how they can enhance user retention and satisfaction, and how to build an app tutorial that actually works. Using real-world case studies and actionable tips, we’ll break it all down in a straightforward, humanized way that shows you exactly why app tutorials can’t be overlooked.
Problem: Users Need Help – and Fast
We’ve all been there. You download a shiny new app, excited to try out its features. But once it’s installed, you’re left wondering how to get started. How do I sign up? Where do I find the features I need? Is this really the best app for me? Without a tutorial or proper guidance, many users will drop off after just a few minutes, frustrated by the lack of direction.
According to Localytics, 23% of users will abandon an app after just one use if they don’t understand how to use it effectively. Moreover, 77% of users have expressed that they would be more likely to continue using an app if it provided an easy onboarding process.
As developers, you can’t afford to ignore the importance of app tutorials. If you want to maximize user retention and provide a better overall user experience, tutorials are an essential tool in your arsenal.
The Stats You Should Know
- 40% of mobile app users only use an app once. (Source: Localytics)
- 80% of app users say they prefer apps that offer tutorials to help them understand how to use them. (Source: TechCrunch)
- 68% of app users will abandon an app if it’s difficult to navigate. (Source: Clutch)
These numbers highlight a key fact: if your users don’t understand how to navigate your app, they won’t stick around. It’s that simple.
Agitation: The Cost of Skipping Tutorials
Ignoring the need for tutorials in your app isn’t just an inconvenience for your users—it’s a missed opportunity for your app’s success. Here’s what can happen when you don’t offer tutorials or onboarding assistance:
1. High Drop-Off Rates
Without an app tutorial, users may immediately get confused or frustrated by the interface and abandon the app. Even if the app itself is great, poor onboarding can make it impossible for users to understand its value.
For instance, Snapchat initially struggled with onboarding. The app’s interface was confusing for new users, leading to high drop-off rates. It wasn’t until they introduced interactive tutorials that users began sticking around longer and exploring more features.
2. Negative Reviews
If users struggle to understand how your app works, they’ll likely leave negative reviews. According to Apptentive, 69% of app users say that poor onboarding or lack of tutorials is a common reason for leaving negative feedback. This can directly impact your app’s reputation and hinder future downloads.
3. Lower Retention Rates
User retention is one of the biggest challenges developers face. Without a proper tutorial, users won’t return. In fact, a study by VWO showed that 74% of users who abandon an app do so within the first 24 hours, often because they don’t understand how to use it.
4. Missed Revenue Opportunities
When users don’t fully understand your app, they can’t fully engage with it. This means missed opportunities for in-app purchases, subscriptions, and overall engagement. A well-executed tutorial can help users discover all of your app’s features, ultimately increasing your app’s profitability.
Solution: How to Design Effective App Tutorials
So, how can you avoid the mistakes of neglecting app tutorials? The key is to create clear, concise, and engaging tutorials that guide users through your app’s features in a way that doesn’t overwhelm them.
1. Start Simple: The Basics First
An effective app tutorial should start with the basics. New users need to know how to sign up, log in, and navigate the app before they can dive into the more complex features. Keep things simple and gradually introduce more advanced features as the user becomes more comfortable with the app.
Example: Duolingo
Duolingo’s tutorial is a great example of simplicity. Upon first use, users are greeted with a brief and easy-to-follow introduction to the app’s main features, such as choosing a language and setting a daily goal. The interface is intuitive and guides the user step-by-step, ensuring that they don’t get overwhelmed.
2. Interactive Onboarding vs. Static Tutorials
Interactive tutorials tend to have higher success rates because they engage users and give them the chance to learn by doing. Rather than just showing users what to do, interactive tutorials allow them to perform tasks themselves with guided steps.
Example: Trello
Trello’s onboarding process is one of the best in the industry. It’s an interactive tutorial that lets users create a sample board, add cards, and explore the app’s key features—all while being guided through the process. This hands-on approach helps users learn by actively engaging with the app, which leads to better retention.
Why Interactive Onboarding Works:
- Users remember better when they experience the steps themselves.
- It creates a more personalized experience.
- It encourages users to explore more features in-app.
3. Break It Down into Easy Steps
Don’t bombard your users with information all at once. Instead, break your tutorial into small, manageable steps. This reduces cognitive overload and helps users retain the information they need. Use simple language, step-by-step instructions, and visuals to guide the user.
Example: WhatsApp
When users first open WhatsApp, they’re greeted with a tutorial that explains the core features in simple, bite-sized steps. The app walks users through setting up a profile, adding contacts, and sending messages. It’s intuitive, easy to follow, and doesn’t overwhelm new users with too much at once.
4. Incorporate Visual Elements
Adding visuals, like images or videos, can significantly enhance the user’s learning experience. Visual aids help users understand how to perform certain tasks by showing them exactly what to do.
Example: Evernote
Evernote does an excellent job of incorporating images and videos into their tutorial. The app shows users how to create notes, organize them into notebooks, and even use advanced features like adding attachments. These visuals make the tutorial feel more engaging, helping users understand the steps with ease.
5. Offer a Skip Option
Not every user wants to go through an entire tutorial. Some users prefer to jump straight into the app and figure things out on their own. Always provide an option to skip the tutorial or to revisit it later. This gives users the freedom to learn at their own pace, which can lead to higher satisfaction rates.
Example: Spotify
Spotify’s onboarding process offers a simple “Skip” option if users don’t want to go through the tutorial. This allows experienced users or those who are already familiar with the platform to get straight to the music.
6. Use Tooltips for Additional Help
Once the initial tutorial is complete, offer tooltips that appear at key moments when users need extra help. These can highlight new features, point out hidden functions, or give reminders of key tasks. Tooltips are a great way to keep the user experience smooth while providing helpful hints without interrupting the user flow.
Example: Dropbox
Dropbox offers tooltips that guide users through the process of uploading, sharing, and organizing files. These tooltips pop up only when needed, providing just-in-time assistance without overwhelming the user.
7. Test and Iterate
The best app tutorials are the result of testing and iteration. Test your tutorial with real users to see how they interact with it. Are there parts they skip? Are they confused by specific instructions? Use this feedback to refine the tutorial and make it as user-friendly as possible. Continuously updating your tutorial ensures that it remains relevant and effective over time.
8. Provide Ongoing Support
Don’t assume the tutorial is enough. After users finish the initial tutorial, give them access to ongoing support resources like FAQs, live chat, or video tutorials. This helps users who may need more assistance as they continue exploring the app. A great support system ensures that users feel confident and supported in using the app long after they’ve completed the tutorial.
Real-World Case Studies: Success Stories from the Top Apps
1. Slack
Slack’s tutorial is a fantastic example of a product that uses step-by-step instructions and interactive tutorials to onboard new users. Slack is known for its clean, intuitive design and user-friendly tutorial process that includes helpful, easy-to-follow steps on setting up channels, sending messages, and managing teams. Slack also integrates a checklist of tasks to ensure users stay engaged and don’t miss anything important.
2. TikTok
TikTok, a global sensation, has a seamless onboarding process that’s interactive and personalized. New users are guided through setting up their profile, navigating the app, and learning how to post videos—all in a fun and engaging way. The tutorial is quick, interactive, and designed to get users into the app with as little friction as possible.
Conclusion: The Secret to Retention Is in the Tutorial
When it comes to app development, tutorials are not just a nice-to-have feature; they’re a critical part of ensuring your users understand and value your app. A well-crafted tutorial can drastically improve user engagement, reduce drop-off rates, and increase retention.
By incorporating interactive elements, breaking down instructions into manageable steps, and offering personalized support, you can create an onboarding experience that sets your app up for success. Take the time to test, refine, and improve your app tutorials, and you’ll see the results in higher user satisfaction and retention rates.
So, next time you’re designing an app, make sure to prioritize clear and effective tutorials—it could be the key to keeping users around for the long haul.