How to Create an Onboarding Checklist
Onboarding checklists give users a clear roadmap to getting started with your product. They create a sense of progress and reduce the overwhelm of learning a new tool. Here is how to build one that drives activation.
List all setup tasks
Write down every action a user needs to complete to get full value. Include account setup, data import, configuration, and first use of core features.
Prioritize ruthlessly
Select only 5-7 tasks for the checklist. Focus on actions that correlate with long-term retention and cut everything else.
Order tasks logically
Start with quick wins to build momentum, then progress to more complex tasks. Easy-to-hard ordering maximizes completion rates.
Write clear task names
Each task should start with an action verb and be completable in under 2 minutes. Example: "Create your first project" not "Projects overview".
Link tasks to actions
Each checklist item should navigate users to the relevant page or trigger a product tour. Remove all friction between seeing a task and doing it.
Add completion rewards
Show progress bars and celebrate when users finish all tasks. Consider offering incentives like extended trials for completing onboarding.
Track completion analytics
Monitor which tasks get completed and where users abandon. This data reveals your product friction points.
Pro Tips
- Pre-check tasks users have already completed to show instant progress.
- Allow users to minimize but not permanently dismiss the checklist.
- Show the checklist persistently until completion, not just on first login.
- Test different task orderings to optimize completion rates.
Conclusion
A well-crafted checklist transforms overwhelming onboarding into a manageable, even enjoyable experience. Start with the minimum set of tasks that drive activation, measure completion rates obsessively, and iterate based on the data.
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