Interactive Onboarding using Push Messages

We just released version 2.0 of HOI — the Swiss alternative to Yo — including the ability to send pictures and locations. But how to make users aware of these new features?

While splash screens and in-app tutorials can be OK, most mobile users are ADHD so won’t read.

Instead wanted to experiment with something more like the “scaffolding” approach common in games like Hitman GO ( which was covered in the WWDC 2014 Onboarding Session ), making an interactive experience where users “learn by doing” rather than having to pay attention to a tutorial.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
— Benjamin Franklin

So since version 2.0 new users are greeted by a message from “HOI”, our automated assistant. Should they “HOI” back ( the equivalent of Yo’ing ) they are led through the new features via successive messages, with help from animated gifs…

It’s too soon to talk analytics (given the release was just 4 hours ago) but an early look at the logs says “It’s working!” and users are responding well.

It’s hard to explain it any better than that without seeing it for yourself, which you can do by downloading the app via http://gethoi.ch. Wait for our bot to greet you (about 15 minutes) or just “HOI” to http://gethoi.ch/HOI if you are impatient…