Think back to the last time you signed up for a new app or online service. Did you feel excited? Confused? Maybe a little overwhelmed? That first impression—that first journey—is called onboarding. And it matters. A lot.
Great onboarding doesn’t just say “Welcome!” It helps users take the first steps. It makes things click. And when it’s done right, users stick around. That’s the magic of sticky onboarding. But what really makes it work? The secret lies in what’s called Moments of Progress.
What Is a Moment of Progress?
A moment of progress is a small win. It’s the feeling of getting closer to a goal. It happens when a user:
- Completes a profile
- Sends their first message
- Creates their first list, playlist, or board
- Sees results based on their input
Each of these is a micro-success. Small? Yes. But mighty. These small victories deliver a feeling of control and capability. They let the user think, “Hey, I can do this!” And that’s when users begin to get hooked.
Why Progress Matters So Much
Our brains love progress. Even tiny bits of it. There’s science behind this. It’s called the Progress Principle. Researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer found that people feel most motivated when they make progress on meaningful work—even small tasks.
It’s like playing a video game. You beat the first level. Ding! You earned a badge. That hit of joy? That’s dopamine. The brain’s happy signal. And it plays a big role in user motivation.
Sticky onboarding creates those early “level-up” moments. The more progress people feel, the more they want to keep going.
Make Users Feel Capable
Progress isn’t just about finishing things. It’s about feeling capable. Every time a user experiences success, their confidence grows. Confidence leads to commitment. Commitment turns into loyalty.
Let’s take an example. Imagine a fitness app.
- Day 1: Track your first meal – check.
- Day 2: Log a walk – done.
- Day 3: Get a streak badge – boom!
Now the user feels proud. They’re making progress. They’re building a habit. And the app becomes a part of their daily life.
How to Build Moments of Progress
Not all onboarding is created equal. Some apps overload users with too much info. Others just drop them in with no help at all. The best ones guide users gently and celebrate progress early and often.
Here are a few ways to build sticky moments of progress:
1. Break Things Into Small Steps
Don’t ask for too much at once. Let users feel progress sooner by:
- Breaking sign-up into multiple steps
- Showing a progress bar
- Celebrating the completion of mini-tasks
2. Create a “Wow” Moment Early
This is the moment when the user thinks, “Okay, this is cool.” Maybe they see personalized results. Or use a key feature for the first time. Whatever it is—make it fast, fun, and meaningful.
3. Give Instant Feedback
When users do something right, tell them! Use animations, messages, or sounds to affirm their actions. It’s like a digital high-five.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement
Bad onboarding punishes mistakes. Good onboarding encourages learning. Use gentle nudges and fun rewards. Keep the tone helpful and playful.
5. Track Progress Visually
Use checklists and trackers. Let users see how far they’ve come. Confidence grows when progress is visible.
Examples of Great Moments of Progress
Let’s look at how some big names nail this idea.
- Duolingo: You complete just one short language lesson, and boom—you get a cheerful message, coins, and a “Daily Goal” check.
- Trello: Create your first board? You instantly see how powerful the tool is—and you’re encouraged to add your first card.
- Spotify: You choose some favorite artists—and you’re rewarded with a customized playlist instantly. Magic!
What all of these have in common is they make the user feel awesome right out of the gate.
The Role of Emotions in Onboarding
Progress isn’t just logical. It’s emotional. Users remember how they felt in those first moments. If they felt smart, empowered, and happy—they’ll return. If they felt lost or frustrated—they’ll quit.
So how do you design with feelings in mind?
- Delight: Add something unexpected that brings joy.
- Relief: Show that what once felt hard is now easy.
- Power: Let users create something, influence something, or share something.
Momentum is Everything
The goal of onboarding isn’t just to get someone to sign up. It’s to help them start doing. One action leads to another. It’s like dominoes—they just need that first nudge.
And the best part? Once users feel progress, they start to build momentum. Each win feeds into the next. That motion turns into emotion. And that emotion creates connection.
Don’t Forget the Power of Story
People love stories. So make onboarding feel like a journey. Instead of, “Here’s how to use the tool,” try: “Let’s build something amazing together.” Every moment of progress should feel like a chapter in that story.
Final Tips to Make Progress Happen
- Do usability testing – Make sure people actually understand what to do.
- Remove friction – Cut anything that slows down early wins.
- Measure early behavior – Look at what users do in the first 5 minutes—not just conversions.
- Iterate constantly – What works today may not work tomorrow. Keep learning from your users.
In Closing…
Sticky onboarding isn’t about showing all the features. It’s about creating moments that matter. Moments when users feel smart. Capable. Excited.
So ask yourself, what’s your app’s “first win”? How soon can users experience it? And how do you celebrate that moment?
Because in the end, it’s not just about helping users get started. It’s about helping them make progress—and feel good doing it.