How to simplify user onboarding for Web3

The best user experiences are the ones that make the complex seem simple. Yet, in web3, onboarding can often feel anything but simple. The process of connecting wallets, navigating DeFi platforms, and joining new communities can quickly become overwhelming. This complexity is not just a minor inconvenience—it’s a major barrier, with nearly 70% of users abandoning web3 platforms due to cumbersome onboarding experiences, leading to high churn rates and stunted growth.

Projects usually use quests & airdrops for rewarding users of traversing the knowledge curve & understanding the product but the need to toggle between multiple screens for rewards and airdrops only adds to user frustration and delays. That’s why we're excited about AirLyft’s web3 marketing widgets. The beautiful integration to our web3 marketing automation platform simplifies onboarding by offering guided tours and gamified tasks, transforming a complicated process into an interactive and rewarding journey. This approach not only makes onboarding more intuitive but also ensures users remain engaged and active long-term.

Here’s a quick run through how exactly Widgets address the 3 most important challenges of web3 onboarding.

Incentivized tours simplify the learning curve

Incentivized tours significantly simplify the learning curve and streamline the onboarding process by providing step-by-step instructions. These tours break down complex tasks into manageable steps, ensuring that users can follow along without feeling overwhelmed. The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Introduction to Key Features: Guided tours start with an overview of the platform’s main features, giving users a clear understanding of what to expect and where to find essential tools and functions.
2. Interactive Instructions: Users are taken through interactive steps where they perform specific actions, such as connecting a wallet, following social media channels, or making their first transaction. Each step is accompanied by detailed instructions and visual aids, which help users understand the process clearly.
3. Immediate Feedback and Rewards: As users complete each step, they receive immediate feedback and, often, rewards such as tokens or NFTs. This not only encourages them to continue but also provides a sense of achievement.
4. Support and Resources: Throughout the guided tour, users are provided with access to support and additional resources, such as FAQs, video tutorials, or live chat options, to assist them with any questions or difficulties they may encounter.

Example

For instance, a DeFi platform using AirLyft’s web3 marketing widgets can guide new users through the process of staking tokens. The tour might start with a brief explanation of staking, followed by steps to connect a wallet. Users are then shown how to select a staking pool, input the amount to stake, and confirm the transaction. View a live demo here

Each step is interactive and accompanied by visual cues and prompts. Upon completing the staking process, users receive a small reward, such as additional tokens, reinforcing the learning experience. This method not only educates users about the staking process but also builds their confidence and encourages them to engage further with the platform.

Gamification of Onboarding

By turning onboarding tasks into quests, web3 marketing widgets enable users to complete in exchange for rewards such as tokens or NFTs.

The global gamification market in the Web3 space is expected to grow from $9.1 billion in 2020 to $65.5 billion by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4%​

It speeds up and makes the process enjoyable:

1. Gamification taps into users’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations by offering rewards for task completion, creating a sense of achievement and encouraging them to move through the onboarding steps faster.
2. Quests serve as interactive tutorials, guiding users through the platform’s features in a structured manner, making learning by doing more effective than passive methods.
3. The fun and interactive nature of gamified quests keeps users engaged, leading to higher completion rates and quicker onboarding.
4. Immediate positive reinforcement from rewards for each completed quest creates a compelling user journey, motivating users to progress efficiently.
5. Tasks that encourage community interaction, such as joining social media groups or participating in discussions, foster a sense of belonging, enhancing user retention and accelerating integration into the community.
6. Gamification provides valuable data on user behavior and preferences, allowing projects to refine their onboarding processes for greater effectiveness and user-friendliness.

For example,

A desoc platform can use AirLyft Widgets to gamify the onboarding process. New users might complete tasks such as creating a profile, following other users, and posting their first update. Each completed quest rewards users with platform tokens or exclusive badges, creating a fun and interactive experience. This gamified approach motivates users to explore the platform and complete onboarding tasks quickly, enhancing overall engagement and participation in community activities. View a live demo here.

Personalization of Campaigns

AirLyft Widgets allow for the personalization of campaigns directly on a project’s domain, tailoring user experiences to specific needs and preferences.

This personalization from web3 marketing widgets help in faster and swifter onboarding by:

1. Exclusive Customization of quests make the onboarding process more relevant. When users see tasks and rewards that resonate with their interests, they are more likely to participate quickly and enthusiastically.
2. Real-Time Adjustments from the AirLyft backend ensures that any obstacles can be immediately addressed, smoothing out the onboarding process.
3. Aligning the onboarding process with the project’s goals creates a cohesive and familiar experience for users, reducing the friction that often comes with adapting to a new platform.
4. Users are more likely to complete onboarding tasks when they feel the experience is tailored to their needs, resulting in a quicker and maintain high engagement levels.

For example,

A DeFi platform using AirLyft Widgets can create a personalized onboarding campaign for users interested in yield farming. New users might receive custom quests such as learning about yield farming basics, completing a tutorial on staking tokens, and joining a liquidity pool. These tasks would be tailored to their interests and skill level, with dynamic updates based on their behavior. Personalized rewards like tokens or NFTs related to yield farming further enhance engagement, ensuring a smooth and relevant onboarding experience. View a live demo here.

Improved User Retention through Campaigns

When users have a positive first experience with a platform, they are more likely to continue participating in its ecosystem. By making onboarding intuitive and rewarding, web3 marketing widgets ensure that users remain active and engaged over the long term.

Case studies have shown that projects implementing these widgets see higher retention rates as users feel more connected and motivated to stay involved. This sustained engagement is crucial for the success of any web3 project.

The impact of a smooth onboarding process on overall user satisfaction cannot be overstated. AirLyft Widgets enhance the user experience by making it straightforward and enjoyable to join and participate in campaigns. Users appreciate the ease of use, the clarity of tasks, and the immediate rewards for their efforts.

Testimonials from users and feedback from project developers highlight how these widgets improve the overall user journey, making it more likely that participants will return for future campaigns. Enhanced user experience translates to higher engagement rates and more successful campaign outcomes.

For example,

A blockchain-based gaming platform that implements AirLyft Widgets can see significant improvements in user retention. New users might complete quests such as setting up their profile, joining a guild, and playing their first game, with each task rewarded by in-game tokens or rare items. These rewarding and engaging experiences encourage users to return and stay active on the platform, leading to higher retention rates and ongoing participation in the platform's ecosystem. View a live demo here.