# 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    |
