6 remarkable formulas that turbocharge your Web3 onboarding

Standing on the cusp of a new era of decentralized technology and the rise of blockchain, it's clear that we're at a turning point in the history of the internet.

With the advent of Web3, we're seeing a shift away from centralized systems and towards a more democratic and decentralized model. This change has the potential to transform how we interact and transact online, with far-reaching implications for business, society, and the individual.

As a product designer who is relatively new to the world of of blockchain, dApps, and Web3, you may be curious about what all the hype is about and how to apply your UX skills in this new realm.

In this article, I'll delve into the core topics and provide some insights to help you understand how to apply our design expertises particularly about onboarding process in this rapidly evolving field. Let's begin!.

Web3 definition

First, let's define Web3 and its related products. Web3 refers to the 3rd generation of the World Wide Web, which focuses on the use of blockchain technology and decentralized systems to enable secure and transparent online interactions. Web3 products include decentralized applications (dApps), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized finance (Defi) platforms, among others.

So, what makes Web3 products valuable? One of the key benefits of these products is that they offer greater security and privacy compared to traditional Web2 applications. Another key benefit of Web3 products is that they enable greater transparency and fairness in online interaction.

Then, how can we provide a better onboarding process for Web3 users?

Let's scroll down to find out more about this 👇

1. Properly explain Web3 for a layman

Web3 is a new and complex technology which many users may be unfamiliar with it.

This means that it's important to provide concise explanations and what users can do with it. Explain these concepts without using jargon or technical language can help users quickly understanding the meaning of your app or website. These are some ideas that you can implement to explain Web3 for a layman:

• 🪜 Step-by-step tutorial. One way to guide users through the onboarding process is to provide a step-by-step tutorial that explains the basics of web3 and how to use the platform. The tutorial could be in the form of a series of interactive screens that walk the user through the process of creating an account, setting up a wallet, and making their first transaction.

• 📗 Glossary of terms. A glossary of terms can be a helpful tool for understanding web3. It can be a pop-up feature that appears when you hover over a technical term or a separate page that you can refer to as needed

• 📌 Interactive visual aids. It can be a helpful way to make the concept more understandable. Think interactive diagrams that walk you through the process of web3 transactions or videos that clearly showcase the potential benefits. These informational, casual and highly humanistic approach makes it easy to understand this technology."

• 📞 In-app support is an essential component to providing ongoing guidance and assistance during the onboarding process. This can be achieved through the implementation of a chatbot or through a dedicated support team, ensuring that users have access to answers to any questions they may have as they learn about web3.

• The last idea is ⌛ Progress tracking which is a useful feature that allows users to understand their progress in the onboarding process and what they still need to learn. For instance, the simple bar that displays the user's progress through the tutorial or a more detailed breakdown of the topics covered and what's next

2. Determine the onboarding goal

It is crucial to have a clear understanding of the objectives of your onboarding process. Brainstorm several questions such as:

• What do you hope for users during the onboarding process?

• Do you want them to create an account, set up a profile, or complete a specific task?

Now, let's look at some practical examples of goals that you might set for onboarding process in Web3.

• 🤳 Increase user retention. Increasing the % of users who continue to use the product after sign-up. Steps to achieve on these things:

  • helping users to understand the value of your product or service,

  • setting up their accounts and preferences

  • providing them with the tools hey need to achieve their needs

• 🧠 Improve user understanding. Increasing the % of users who fully understand how to use your product or service. Steps to achieve:

  • clear and concise explanations of key features

  • interactive tutorials

  • FAQ

  • customer supports

• 👆🏼 Increase user engagement. Increasing the amount of time that users spend interacting with your product.

• 💰 Increase user conversion. Increasing the % of users who convert from free to paid users. Steps to achieve:

  • highlighting the benefits of upgrading to a paid account

  • clear CTA

  • easy-to-follow user journey to upgrade the account

3. Offer seamless authentication

One of the key aspect of user-friendly onboarding is simplicity in authetication process. This can make it easier for users to get started and can also help to increase trust and credibility. For instance:

• Single Sign-On (SSO) is a widely-used technique that enables users to authenticate with multiple applications by using a single set of login credentials. There are various methods to implement SSO, such as through utilizing third-party identity providers like Google or Facebook or by setting up one's own OAuth2 or OpenID Connect server.

• Another layer of security that can be added is Two-factor authentication (2FA) which involves using an additional means of verification such as a code sent to a mobile phone or generated by a mobile app, in addition to the password. This can be integrated with SSO to provide an added level of protection when accessing sensitive information.

• Biometric authentication using fingerprints or facial recognition. This method utilizes the user's physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial features, to authenticate their identity. This can be implemented on mobile devices or laptops with the necessary hardware.

• Token-based authentication using JSON Web Tokens (JWT) is a technique that utilizes a token that is sent to the user after a successful login and must be included in all future requests to the server. This token is verified by the server to confirm the user's identity. This method can be used in conjunction with SSO to provide a smooth and seamless experience across multiple applications.

• The last approach is passwordless authentication using Magic links, which eliminates the need for remembering and entering a password. Instead, the user receives a unique link through email or SMS which they can click on to log in. This method is secure, easy to implement, and can be integrated with other authentication methods for added security.

4. Provide good user support

It's also momentous to provide ongoing support and guidance to help users navigate your platform. This might include in-app help centers or FAQs, or the ability to contact live customer support for assistance through chat or email to answer any questions users might have. By implementing these authentication methods, we aim to empower users and instill a sense of trust and security in their interactions with our platform. Not only does this enhance their user experience, it also minimizes the potential for frustration and discouragement.

5. Gamify the onboarding process

Gamification is a powerful tool for engaging users and making complex processes more accessible and enjoyable. In the world of Web3, gamification can be particularly effective in onboarding users to decentralized applications (dApps) and blockchain technology.

One example of gamification in Web3 onboarding is the use of interactive tutorials and quizzes to educate users about the basics of blockchain and dApps. These tutorials can be designed as interactive games, with users earning rewards for completing tasks and answering questions correctly. This not only makes the learning experience more engaging and fun, but also helps users to retain information and build their understanding of the technology.

Another example is using gamified reward system such as tokens or in-app currency for users who participate in certain actions like referring friends to the dApp, contributing to a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform or participating in a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) decision making. This not only encourages user engagement but also align the incentives of the users with the platform's goal.

In addition to onboarding, gamification can also be used to encourage user engagement and participation in dApps, such as by offering incentives for users who contribute to a decentralized community or governance system.

Lastly, personalizing the experience for each user by allowing them to create and customize their own avatars or choose from pre-made options can foster a sense of connection to the app and increase likelihood of continued use

Overall, gamification can be a powerful tool for Web3 onboarding, making the process of learning about blockchain and dApps more engaging and accessible to a wide range of users. By using gamification techniques, product designers, UX designers and developers can create user-friendly and effective interfaces that can help onboard new users to the Web3 ecosystem, and encourage them to participate in this exciting new world.

6. Test & iterate

At the end of the day, it's all about continuously improving your onboarding process. This means taking into account user feedback and analyzing data to see what's working and what needs to be tweaked. Whether it's experimenting with different approaches or revamping certain elements of the onboarding flow, your ultimate goal is to make it as user-friendly as possible.

In summary, crafting a smooth onboarding process is a crucial step in building a successful Web3 platform. By providing clear explanations, making it easy to get started, offering ongoing support, and fostering a sense of accomplishment, you can create an experience that helps users fully understand and engage with your platform. By following these principles, you can ensure that new users feel comfortable and confident using your platform, ultimately leading to increased retention and engagement

Thank you for reading and for your interest in this topic.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me. I'd be happy to hear from you and continue the discussion. You can find my contact details below. Have a great day!

Elevate your design works in the ever-evolving world of AI.

Ravenbright Design Blog is a weekly UX articles to help designers simplify their process, stay relevant in the AI era, & work seamlessly with devs. Some topics which I've mostly written about: AI for designers, web3, product management, design systems, Figma & Framer, & HTML/CSS

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