Complete Onboarding Breakdown: 9 Steps from First Screen to Paywall
Source: Dev.to
Most subscription apps don’t lose users because of “bad pricing.”
They lose them before the user ever sees the paywall.
Onboarding is the invisible bridge between installation and revenue. A clear, focused flow:
- Helps users quickly understand what your app does
- Filters in the right users (and filters out the wrong ones)
- Makes the paywall feel like a natural next step, not a surprise
Below is a 9‑step onboarding framework—from the first screen to the paywall—based on patterns we consistently see in successful subscription apps. Exact impact will always depend on your product and audience, so treat these as high‑confidence starting points to test, not universal laws.
9‑Step Onboarding Framework
Step 1 – First Screen: Make a Clear Promise
Goal: Answer “What will this app help me achieve?”
- Weak: “All‑in‑one fitness app.”
- Strong: “Sleep better in 7 days.” / “Turn one selfie into 40 professional headshots.”
Keep it simple:
- One strong outcome‑driven headline
- One main CTA (e.g., “Get Started”)
- No navigation clutter or competing buttons
Step 2 – Context & Trust: Why You’re Worth Their Time
After the user taps “Get Started,” they’re curious but cautious.
A short second screen can:
- Explain how you work (e.g., “Answer a few questions and we’ll build a plan for you”)
- Add light social proof (“Trusted by 2M+ users”, “Featured in …”)
The goal isn’t to tell your full story, but to make continuing feel safe and reasonable.
Step 3 – Goal Selection: Start With What They Want
Ask the user’s primary goal first.
Examples:
- Fitness: “Lose weight / Build muscle / Get healthier”
- Productivity: “Finish a project / Build a habit / Get organized”
Benefits:
- Users feel understood
- You gain a key variable to personalize later screens and paywall copy
Keep options clear, mutually exclusive, and in the user’s language.
Step 4 – Profile & Constraints: Understand Their Reality
Ask a few high‑signal questions about the user’s situation, such as:
- Experience level (Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced)
- Time available (days per week, minutes per day)
- Context (home/gym, solo/with coach, etc.)
These answers should directly influence:
- The plan you show
- Default recommendations
- Messaging on the paywall
Rule of thumb: If a question doesn’t change anything in the experience, remove it or move it later.
Step 5 – Micro‑Progress: Make the End Visible
Even short quizzes can feel long if users don’t know when they’ll finish.
Patterns that improve completion:
- Step indicator (“Step 2 of 5”)
- Short positive feedback (“Got it”, “Nice choice”)
- Occasional hints (“We’re building your plan based on these answers”)
The aim is to make onboarding feel finite and manageable.
Step 6 – Plan Preview: Turn Answers Into a Clear Plan
Before asking for money, show what you’re actually offering this specific user.
Typical preview includes:
- Their goal and basic profile
- Frequency and duration (e.g., “3× per week, 20 min per session”)
- A short summary of what the plan includes
This proves you were listening and sets up the logic:
“This looks like a real plan tailored to me → paying for it might be worth it.”
Step 7 – First Taste of Value: Show, Don’t Just Tell
When possible, give users a small, real taste of your product:
- Generate one AI headshot or filter
- Show the first few days of their program
- Let them try a basic version of a core feature
Even a tiny “this actually works” moment can increase willingness to pay. If a live sample isn’t feasible, use clearly labeled examples (“Example result based on similar profiles”).
Step 8 – Value Recap: Bridge to the Paywall
Add a short recap that ties features to outcomes:
To help you [goal], your plan includes:
- Benefit 1
- Benefit 2
- Benefit 3
Each bullet should connect a feature to an outcome, making the paywall feel like a logical continuation.
Step 9 – Paywall: Structure, Framing & Exit
By the time users reach the paywall they should:
- Know their goal
- See a plausible plan
- Have at least a small sense that it might work
Common strong‑paywall patterns:
- 2–3 plan options (not 6–7)
- Annual as the default, with clear savings (“Save 40 % vs monthly”)
- Copy that re‑uses onboarding context (“Best for busy beginners training 3×/week”)
- Clear trial framing if offered (“7 days free, then $X/month. Cancel anytime.”)
- Respectful exit (“Maybe later” or “Continue with limited access”)
Track metrics such as paywall view rate, trial start rate, and conversion after trial to gauge effectiveness.
How to Apply This 9‑Step Framework
- Map your current flow – From first screen → last onboarding step → paywall.
- Tag each screen – Which step is it trying to achieve? Identify missing or merged steps.
- Choose 1–2 steps to improve first – High‑leverage changes to test:
- Add a clear goal‑selection screen
- Add a plan preview before the paywall
- Make paywall copy reflect user goals instead of generic text
- Measure impact – Track onboarding completion, day‑0 paywall views, trial starts, and purchases.
The goal isn’t perfection in one shot, but steady improvement over time.
Where PaywallPro Helps
Designing or optimizing onboarding is much easier when you can see how leading apps do it in the real world.
With PaywallPro you can:
- Browse real onboarding flows and paywalls from successful iOS subscription apps
- Compare different categories (AI, health & fitness, productivity, and more)
- Study how top apps move users through these 9 steps—from first screen to paywall — and how their designs evolve over time
Instead of guessing, you can ground your experiments in patterns that already appear in high‑performing apps, then validate what works for your specific audience with your own data.