Ideas for improving new users' experience

[flauschtrud]

I'm aware that some features of the app are not instantly obvious to new users which might make them uninstall the app or not benefit from advanced features.

Here are some ideas for improving. This list is intended for brainstorming and evaluating the different approaches. I would be very happy to hear input from more people. Which approaches would you prefer and do you have other ideas?

Getting Started Guide
Provide links to a Getting Started Guide in the app which explains the basic features like importing from blogs, seasonal calendar, using hashtags...

• straight forward
• caters more to the need of "traditional" users that are used to reading manuals
• requires a lot of translation efforts

Show Tips
Show useful tips to the user periodically.

• this short format might be quite suitable for a lot of interesting things (import, hashtag)
• only reaches recurring users (although the tips could be used as a form of condensed Getting Started Guide)
• some users find such a feature annoying
• requires some translation efforts

Extend the Plus Button with an URL Import Option
The plus button could offer both an "create the recipe yourself" and an "import by URL" option where the user copies the URL into the app.

• would probably require more clicks then just sharing the URL via the browser's share feature but might be more obvious
• double functionality could get annoying

Improve Hashtags
This idea might include more steps like managing hashtags more explicitly on the recipe's detail view (currently you would have to add them to the description) or showing them as search suggestions.

Add Link To Demo Recipe on Empty Recipe List
Make the word "Website" in the instruction link directly to the demo recipe so that the user opens it in a browser and can learn about the import feature.

Provide Guidance on How To Create a New Recipe
Add hints/helper texts to the input field to make clear how they can be used.

• how to structure ingredients/directions
• usage of hashtags
• usage of URL

Make It Easier To Use Categories

• create categories from new recipe page As a user I can create new categories from the recipe edit page #161
• might also be helpful to create some initial categories on first install so that the categories are not empty

Import a Recipe via the URL Field in the New Recipe Page
The import feature could also be triggered via the New Recipe Page (insert the URL and trigger the import via a button)

• would make the import feature more obvious while not changing too much about the UI
• would also help for reloading any changes to the importing recipe at a later stage

Better Explain the Configuration of the Seasonal Calendar
Explain why the configuration is necessary
TODO

[rubikscuber]

I recorded the first install experience of another person (to not be biased too much) and combined it with my experience that was quite similar. Below some of the actions that were taken and suggestions of how this could be mitigated.

landing page - tap ob blank screen wondering why nothing is happening

• I suggest adding more explanation or providing the link hidden in the options directly (so the share/import feature is clear form the start), maybe a button to start a browser; here the "Extend the Plus Button with an URL Import Option" could come in - though I would not give the plus button a double functionality, as I think this could get annoying.

tap +button (new recipe)
self explanatory
however, no categories available

• can url be used to load a recipe? or only inserted for future reference after "share import"
  also - it was unclear how to structure the instructions (insert enters)
• maybe this could be explained by some text that shows before entering

configuring season could be more straight forward
why do i get the options screen? It is clear, once one has entered the setting - but it would be nice to have some text explaining this. maybe a screen with only the option below and then a redirect to the seasonal calendar or filter in case there are already recipes imported.

All in all I think having some passive tips would help.

[flauschtrud]

Thanks a lot for your input (and also for the other person's help)!

I updated my initial post with your feedback.

can url be used to load a recipe?

I think it would be really great if it could! I added this to the list. This is probably the most obvious and least disruptive way to better highlight the import feature.

configuring season could be more straight forward why do i get the options screen? It is clear, once one has entered the setting - but it would be nice to have some text explaining this. maybe a screen with only the option below and then a redirect to the seasonal calendar or filter in case there are already recipes imported.

I don't really understand everything you said here.
Do you mean a better explanation instead of the "The seasonal calendar has not been fully configured."? Or more explanations on the settings page? Or being able to configure without leaving the seasonal calendar page?

[rubikscuber]

I hope this explains it a bit better:
After clicking the button for "The seasonal calendar has not been fully configured." one gets redirected to the settings. As there are some general settings before the seasonal calendar settings - this can lead to confusion. I think some highlighting of the seasonal calendar settings could help here - so the user is not distracted by the other settings. Even better would be a short dialog that allows the user to set the necessary settings (this is what comes to my mind for your last question)