Onboarding

Onboarding is the process of supporting new users so that they can get started smoothly when they use a product or service for the first time. It includes the tutorial shown when an app is launched for the first time, the initial setup wizard of a SaaS product, and training programs for new employees. The quality of onboarding greatly affects the rate at which users stay (retention).

QR codes greatly reduce the friction of onboarding. Simply by scanning a QR code packed in the product box, users can start a whole sequence in a single action: they move to the app's download page, an initial setup guide is displayed, and account registration begins. The effort of typing a URL by hand or searching in an app store disappears.

QR codes are particularly effective in the onboarding of IoT devices. When you scan a QR code printed on the body of a smart home device or a wearable device, Wi-Fi setup, firmware updates, and account linking proceed automatically. Setting up a TOTP authenticator app is also a typical example of onboarding through a QR code.