Mobile App Onboarding for First-Time Travelers

Design Project · 2023 · Cologne

**Short Overview** Redesign of the mobile app onboarding to help first-time users understand core value, grant relevant permissions, and reach their first hotel search faster. **Problem Statement** A significant share of app installs never completed a first search. Onboarding was long, permission requests appeared without context, and value propositions were generic. **Goals** - Shorten time to first search - Increase notification and location opt-ins with clear context - Reduce D1 drop-off **Role & Responsibilities** Product Designer for the mobile app, working with a researcher, a PM and iOS/Android engineers. **Design Process** - Analyzed install-to-search funnel and D1/D7 retention - Concept tests on three onboarding narratives - Iterated on contextual permission prompts (location, notifications) - Designed a lightweight profile-completion nudge post-onboarding **Key Design Decisions** - Three concise value screens with skip option - Just-in-time permission requests with clear benefit copy - Personalized empty state on first app home screen **Impact / Expected Outcomes** - +15% first-search completion - Improved permission opt-in rates - Better D1 retention on iOS and Android **Skills Demonstrated** Mobile UX, onboarding design, activation, native platform patterns. **Platforms** Mobile