The user journey is the process a customer goes through when interacting with your product or service, from the first point of contact to achieving their goal. Mapping this journey helps you understand the needs, behaviors, and pain points of your users, allowing you to create a more intuitive and effective experience.

The journey typically begins with awareness, where the user first learns about your product, either through marketing, word of mouth, or search. At this stage, the user has a need or problem but may not yet know how your product can help.

Next comes the consideration phase, where users explore their options. They compare your product with others and gather more information through reviews, demos, or free trials. It’s crucial to provide clear, compelling content that highlights your product’s unique value.

Once the user is convinced, they move to the decision stage, where they commit to using your product. This is where your onboarding experience matters most—an intuitive, smooth process can set the tone for future interactions.

Afterward, the user enters the retention phase. Here, your goal is to keep them engaged by offering support, encouraging regular use, and gathering feedback for continuous improvement.

Finally, if users are satisfied, they enter the advocacy phase, where they recommend your product to others, creating a loop of new users.

By understanding each stage of the user journey, you can design experiences that guide users smoothly from one phase to the next.