The one question to ask when auditing any onboarding flow: 'Does this step help the user experience value, or does it help us collect data?'

If the latter: defer it. Post-activation surveys. Second-session prompts. In-app gates that activate only after the user has experienced the core workflow.

Activation first. Collection second. Retention follows.

GrowthSite Lab designs activation-first onboarding. #OnboardingUX #UserActivation #ProductDesign

A note on TTV and open source software: onboarding is harder for self-hosted tools, where users take on installation before reaching any product value.

The best open-source onboarding minimizes required config for session 1 (sensible defaults, demo data, quick-start guides) and defers power-user config until the user is converted.

GrowthSite Lab studies onboarding patterns across product types. #OnboardingUX #OpenSource #UXDesign