The Psychology of User Onboarding
Understanding user psychology is the secret weapon of successful onboarding. When you know how people think, learn, and make decisions, you can design experiences that feel intuitive and drive action.
The Cognitive Load Theory
Users can only process a limited amount of information at once. Overwhelming them with features leads to decision paralysis and abandonment.
The Peak-End Rule
People judge experiences based on their peak moment and how they end. Make sure your onboarding has clear wins and ends on a high note.
Social Proof and FOMO
Showing how others use your product creates psychological safety and urgency. "Join 10,000+ teams" is more compelling than "Sign up now."
The Zeigarnik Effect
People remember incomplete tasks better than completed ones. Use progress bars and checklists to create psychological momentum.
Apply psychology to your onboarding
Boostly's templates are built on proven psychological principles to maximize user activation.