New customers might find the process of e-learning platform adoption intimidating. You need to give them an onboarding experience that creates a foundation to use your platform efficiently. The onboarding process can improve engagement and set the tone for how you relate to your customers. When you offer them a top-class onboarding process, they feel more confident about using your e-learning platform. This gives them more satisfaction when using it and you are more likely to retain them.
Why video works better than text for onboarding
E-learning onboarding videos have many benefits that make them better than text for onboarding customers. They act rather like a round-the-clock support team for users of your e-learning platform. Their dynamic capabilities elevate the customer onboarding experience. The goal is not just to educate your customers but to empower them and onboarding using videos will help guide them to success.
Offer visual and auditory stimulation
Videos offer both visual and auditory stimulation, which makes the onboarding process less daunting and more user-friendly. They show rather than just tell, which makes them more engaging than lengthy text-based documents. Research is clear that viewers retain a great deal more from watching videos than they do from reading text.
Reduce cognitive load
Videos reduce course abandonment because customers can see how to use the e-learning platform in real time. This means they don’t have to read and remember long lists of steps but can apply them one by one. You can guide users through the basic setup and key features of your platform with videos. They can make complex actions easier to understand and apply in real life.
Build connections
Videos are able to convey personality and emotions through the use of stories and scenarios customers can relate to. When you can establish a connection with customers from the start, they immediately feel your support. Hosting webinars with Q&As can help to build connections. By repurposing webinars as videos, you have evergreen video content customers can access time and time again.
Address common customer queries
When you address common customer queries with videos that are easy to access, customers have less need for direct support. You will find a reduction in support tickets.
Videos come in many different formats.
Videos work well in many different formats. You can use them for live streaming and then save them to use as video-on-demand (VOD).
Customers may have technical issues when accessing onboarding videos. They may find loading times are slow and have difficulty with navigating the platform. This is why the video hosting platform you use is so important. It should allow you to organize your onboarding videos in a way that offers easy access. It should also deal with all the technicalities so you can provide high-quality, mobile-friendly videos that load quickly.
Key types of customer onboarding videos
A customer onboarding video can serve different purposes. New users can figure out the basics of using your e-learning platform. Those who already understand the basics can watch videos that show them how to use specific features.
1. Walkthroughs
These videos help to get new users started as they offer an overview of your e-learning platform. They help new users to understand the layout of the platform and how to navigate it. You will show them essential functions such as what to do first, how to set up a profile, etc. These videos are suited to new user training.
2. Feature tours
Feature tours show users how to use specific features and what to use them for. These are useful for viewers who want to grasp how to use the features. For example, they can learn how to integrate third-party tools.
3. Best practice guides
Once users know how to use your e-learning platform, you want to show them how to get the most out of it. Videos may include examples of how other users successfully use the platform. They may offer workflow tips and how to avoid mistakes.
4. Other types of videos to consider are
- Welcome videos from instructors to help create a human connection.
- FAQ or troubleshooting videos to help customers address common problems
- Progress milestones.
- Video messaging allows you to communicate with users, build relationships, and receive feedback.
Tips for creating concise, clear, and visually engaging videos
It isn’t necessary to have a full production team or expensive equipment to make e-learning onboarding videos. However, it is important to be intentional in your onboarding video strategy.
1. Start with a clear goal
You must define what you want to achieve with your onboarding video. This helps you to focus on one goal or action and prevents you from overwhelming the viewer.
2. Keep it short
New customers don’t really want to have to watch lengthy videos in order to know how to use your platform. Attention spans are not what they used to be. If you want customers to engage and watch to the end of a video, you need to keep it to about one to three minutes. If you have to address a difficult topic, it’s best to divide it up into a series of short videos.
3. Use visual aids
Visual aids such as screen recordings or simple graphics are helpful to users. An arrow can show users where to click or what fields to complete. Many users watch videos with the sound off so captions and subtitles make them accessible. These also help users with hearing impediments or non-native speakers.
4. Use interactive elements
Interactive elements like quizzes and annotations keep users engaged and test their understanding. They ensure that users have a dynamic experience. Involving them in their own learning and providing them with immediate feedback helps to reinforce their understanding. This ensures they are able to use your e-learning platform more successfully. They can even become loyal advocates of your brand.
5. Personalize your videos
Every customer is different and so personalizing video learning is essential. The learning experience should resonate with each user and there should be options for them to choose their learning pace and style. You can even offer them micro-credentials for completing modules that acknowledge and reward their progress. This strengthens the likelihood of long-term product adoption.
6. Brand your videos
When you customize your videos with your brand logo, etc., the onboarding process becomes more cohesive. The look of your video player and videos becomes familiar to users when you embed them on your e-learning platform.
How onboarding videos improve adoption and retention
Onboarding videos help to build momentum and contribute to the success of your platform.
Faster acclimatization
Users who know how to use your products or services are likely to see their benefits early on. This increases the chances that you will retain them.
Use of more features
When customers can use walkthroughs and feature tours, you introduce them to what they may not otherwise discover. This helps to unlock the full potential of your platform for them.
More user satisfaction
When they feel confident about using your e-learning platform, users experience more user satisfaction. Customers who feel competent and supported are more loyal.
Better data for optimization
When you use a platform with advanced analytics tools, you can gain the data insights you need to refine your customer onboarding process over time.
The Cincopa video hosting platform offers in-depth analytics that allow you to understand how your customers interact with your onboarding videos. You can check completion rates, drop-off points and more. User feedback also helps you to enhance your customer onboarding process and get the best return on your investment (ROI).
Conclusion
When you use e-learning onboarding videos, you set your customers up for success. They help to reduce confusion, increase confidence, and encourage the ongoing use of your e-learning platform. In the world of e-learning where using digital tools can be overwhelming and user confidence is vital, these videos can make the difference between users who churn after logging in once and those who become lifelong learners.
The Cincopa video hosting platform allows you to show learners how great your e-learning platform is right from the start. Go to the home page and you can sign up for a free trial so you can see just how easy it is to create a comprehensive onboarding process.
