How to Use Empty States for Onboarding
Empty states are among the most overlooked onboarding opportunities. When a user sees a blank page with no data, they feel lost. But a well-designed empty state turns that moment of confusion into a guided first action.
Audit all empty states
Map every screen in your product that can appear with no data. This includes dashboards, lists, reports, and settings pages.
Prioritize by user flow
Focus first on empty states that new users encounter in their first session. These have the highest impact on activation.
Design helpful empty state content
Include a clear headline explaining the page purpose, a description of what will appear once populated, and a prominent CTA to create the first item.
Add educational elements
Use the empty state to teach. Show an example preview, link to a tutorial video, or trigger a quick product tour explaining the feature.
Pre-populate with sample data
For complex features, provide sample data that users can explore. Let them delete or modify it rather than starting from scratch.
Connect to onboarding progress
Link empty state CTAs to checklist items so completing the action updates their onboarding progress. This creates a satisfying feedback loop.
Pro Tips
- Use illustrations or icons to make empty states visually warm, not sterile.
- Include social proof: "Join 2,000+ teams who started here" adds confidence.
- Test whether sample data or guided creation works better for your product.
- Track empty state CTA click rates as a key onboarding metric.
Conclusion
Empty states are not a design afterthought; they are a critical onboarding touchpoint. Every blank screen is either a dead end or a launchpad. Design them as launchpads and you will see immediate improvements in activation rates.
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