Digital product design is about teaching users what to do. This is the interface. Here’s how it works. Go over there and you’ll find what you’re looking for.

It happens right from the beginning. The first screen of any product will set expectations and introduce interaction patterns. A combination of good design and good writing will make the product make sense.

But sometimes an interface needs a little instruction. Enter: the product onboarding. A popular design approach that helps a product introduce itself. There are two kinds of onboardings:

An onboarding that explains. Key features, new tools, user benefits, or competitive advantages. These flows tell a user what to do or expect.

An onboarding that gathers information. Like a map that needs your location to be helpful. Or a flight tracker that’s more useful once it knows your preferred airlines.

Both of these approaches can work to help new users get settled. And many products use a combination of the two. Whatever approach you choose, here are some things you can do to help invite everyone in.