Onboarding Experiment Ideas
Comprehensive list of A/B tests and experiments for user onboarding and activation.
Flow Simplification Experiments
Reduce Friction
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Email verification timing |
During vs. after onboarding |
| Empty states vs. dummy data |
Pre-populated examples |
| Pre-filled templates |
Accelerate setup with templates |
| OAuth options |
Faster account linking |
| Required step count |
Fewer required steps |
| Optional vs. required fields |
Minimize requirements |
| Skip options |
Allow bypassing non-critical steps |
Step Sequencing
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Step ordering |
Test different sequences |
| Value-first ordering |
Highest-value features first |
| Friction placement |
Move hard steps later |
| Required vs. optional balance |
Ratio of required steps |
| Single vs. branching paths |
One path vs. personalized |
| Quick start vs. full setup |
Minimal path to value |
Progress & Motivation
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Progress bars |
Show completion percentage |
| Checklist length |
3-5 items vs. 5-7 items |
| Gamification |
Badges, rewards, achievements |
| Completion messaging |
"X% complete" visibility |
| Starting point |
Begin at 20% vs. 0% |
| Celebration moments |
Acknowledge completions |
Guided Experience Experiments
Product Tours
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Interactive tours |
Tools like Navattic, Storylane |
| Tooltip vs. modal guidance |
Subtle vs. attention-grabbing |
| Video tutorials |
For complex workflows |
| Self-paced vs. guided |
User control vs. structured |
| Tour length |
Shorter vs. comprehensive |
| Tour triggering |
Automatic vs. user-initiated |
CTA Optimization
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| CTA text variations |
Action-oriented copy testing |
| CTA placement |
Position within screens |
| In-app tooltips |
Feature discovery prompts |
| Sticky CTAs |
Persist during onboarding |
| CTA contrast |
Visual prominence |
| Secondary CTAs |
"Learn more" vs. primary only |
UI Guidance
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Hotspot highlights |
Draw attention to key features |
| Coachmarks |
Contextual tips |
| Feature announcements |
New feature discovery |
| Contextual help |
Help where users need it |
| Search vs. guided |
Self-service vs. directed |
Personalization Experiments
User Segmentation
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Role-based onboarding |
Different paths by role |
| Goal-based paths |
Customize by stated goal |
| Role-specific dashboards |
Relevant default views |
| Use-case question |
Personalize based on answer |
| Industry-specific paths |
Vertical customization |
| Experience-based |
Beginner vs. expert paths |
Dynamic Content
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Personalized welcome |
Name, company, role |
| Industry examples |
Relevant use cases |
| Dynamic recommendations |
Based on user answers |
| Template suggestions |
Pre-filled for segment |
| Feature highlighting |
Relevant to stated goals |
| Benchmark data |
Industry-specific metrics |
Quick Wins & Engagement Experiments
Time-to-Value
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| First quick win |
"Complete your first X" |
| Success messages |
After key actions |
| Progress celebrations |
Milestone moments |
| Next step suggestions |
After each completion |
| Value demonstration |
Show what they achieved |
| Outcome preview |
What success looks like |
Motivation Mechanics
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Achievement badges |
Gamification elements |
| Streaks |
Consecutive day engagement |
| Leaderboards |
Social comparison (if appropriate) |
| Rewards |
Incentives for completion |
| Unlock mechanics |
Features revealed progressively |
Support & Help
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Free onboarding calls |
For complex products |
| Contextual help |
Throughout onboarding |
| Chat support |
Availability during onboarding |
| Proactive outreach |
For stuck users |
| Self-service resources |
Help docs, videos |
| Community access |
Peer support early |
Email & Multi-Channel Experiments
Onboarding Emails
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Founder welcome email |
Personal vs. generic |
| Behavior-based triggers |
Action/inaction based |
| Email timing |
Immediate vs. delayed |
| Email frequency |
More vs. fewer touches |
| Quick tips format |
Short actionable content |
| Video in email |
More engaging format |
Email Content
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Subject lines |
Open rate optimization |
| Personalization depth |
Name vs. behavior-based |
| CTA prominence |
Single clear action |
| Social proof inclusion |
Testimonials in email |
| Urgency messaging |
Trial reminders |
| Plain text vs. designed |
Format testing |
Feedback Loops
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| NPS during onboarding |
When to ask |
| Blocking question |
"What's stopping you?" |
| NPS follow-up |
Actions based on score |
| In-app feedback |
Thumbs up/down on features |
| Survey timing |
When to request feedback |
| Feedback incentives |
Reward for completing |
Re-engagement Experiments
Stalled User Recovery
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Re-engagement email timing |
When to send |
| Personal outreach |
Human vs. automated |
| Simplified path |
Reduced steps for returners |
| Incentive offers |
Discount or extended trial |
| Problem identification |
Ask what's blocking |
| Demo offer |
Live walkthrough |
Return Experience
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Welcome back message |
Acknowledge return |
| Progress resume |
Pick up where left off |
| Changed state |
What happened while away |
| Re-onboarding |
Fresh start option |
| Urgency messaging |
Trial time remaining |
Technical & UX Experiments
Performance
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Load time optimization |
Faster = higher completion |
| Progressive loading |
Perceived performance |
| Offline capability |
Mobile experience |
| Error handling |
Graceful failure recovery |
Mobile Onboarding
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Touch targets |
Size and spacing |
| Swipe navigation |
Mobile-native patterns |
| Screen count |
Fewer screens needed |
| Input optimization |
Mobile-friendly forms |
| Permission timing |
When to ask |
Accessibility
| Test |
Hypothesis |
| Screen reader support |
Accessibility impact |
| Keyboard navigation |
Non-mouse users |
| Color contrast |
Visibility |
| Font sizing |
Readability |
Metrics to Track
For all experiments, measure:
| Metric |
Description |
| Activation rate |
% reaching activation event |
| Time to activation |
Hours/days to first value |
| Step completion rate |
% completing each step |
| Drop-off points |
Where users abandon |
| Return rate |
Users who come back |
| Day 1/7/30 retention |
Engagement over time |
| Feature adoption |
Which features get used |
| Support requests |
Volume during onboarding |
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