Why Most SaaS Onboarding Feels Like Driver’s Ed Gone Wrong
Most Users Quit Before They Even Get Started
If trial users disappear before doing anything meaningful, onboarding is probably the problem. Too many SaaS companies overwhelm new users with a firehose of features and tutorials. The result feels more like homework than a path to success. No wonder so many churn before they ever see value.
For teams wondering whether onboarding video is even worth investing in, here's how we break down explainer video ROI for SaaS depending on where you're stuck in the funnel.
What Driver’s Ed Gets Right That SaaS Onboarding Gets Wrong
Think about driver’s ed. You don’t start with the AC, the radio, or cruise control. You don’t even touch the turn signal in your first lesson.
You start in a parking lot.
In the daytime.
The goal is simple. Get the car moving without hitting anything.
That’s the kind of simple win you should be giving new users. One small task that builds confidence.
What Bad SaaS Onboarding Looks Like
You’ve probably seen this before:
A full dashboard tour with every button labeled.
A long explainer video that tries to teach the entire product before showing how to do one thing.
Overwhelming the user by showing everything the product can do before they’ve done anything themselves.
It’s impressive to you. It’s overwhelming to them.
What Good SaaS Onboarding Looks Like
Good onboarding feels too simple. Like it’s missing something. But that’s the point.
One task. One outcome. One success.
You don’t need to show everything. You need to show the next thing that gets the user a win.
That could be setting up their first project. Sending their first invite. Seeing their first result.
If you need ideas on where to start, read this post on explainer videos that actually convert.
How to Rethink Your Onboarding Video
Start small. Help your users get one win.
You don’t have to explain everything. You just have to move them forward.
Want more ideas for post-onboarding content that reduces churn? Here are 5 SaaS video types designed to build retention and long-term engagement.
Need help?
Book a Free SaaS Onboarding Video Strategy Session
We’ll help you identify your user’s first key task and build video content that makes it easy to succeed.
FAQ
What makes a good SaaS onboarding video?
It shows one task, one outcome, and nothing else. Simple is better.
How long should an onboarding video be?
Under 90 seconds. Anything longer feels like work.
Should I show the whole dashboard in my onboarding video?
No. Show the first task, not the whole map.
