Onboarding That Works: BeFunky’s 80% Template Boost

Quick Wins

  • +28.6% increase in time spent during the first session

  • −23.8% drop in onboarding abandonment

  • 79.7% of templates actively used (up from 50.3%)

  • +39.2% increase in beginner satisfaction (post survey)

Role

Design Director – Hands on Lead for this project
While managing broader design direction, I took a hands-on IC role for this initiative, leading UX strategy, wireframes, and cross-functional alignment. I worked closely with product, engineering, content, and support to reimagine the first-time user experience.

Graphic design interface showing various Instagram post templates with diverse themes like holidays, community events, and promotions.

Background & Goal

BeFunky’s creative tools were powerful, but new users, especially non-designers, felt overwhelmed. Drop-off was high within the first few minutes.

The goal:

  • Deliver quick wins and reduce early friction

  • Tailor the experience to different user skill levels

  • Increase engagement and satisfaction from the first session

  • Build an onboarding flow that scaled across devices

Research & Insights

  • Session replays showed hesitation and tool paralysis

  • Support feedback revealed confusion around starting points

  • Beginners wanted a clearer path; pros wanted speed and flexibility

befunky-starting-graphic-design
befunky-starting-graphic-design
Four-panel graphic showing a design tool's menu categories: Social Media, Business Marketing, Online Advertising, Events.
Screenshot of a design tool interface displaying search results for wedding-related templates. The left panel shows a search bar with the word "wedding" and categories like Weddings, Wedding Blog, Wedding Sets. The right panel displays various weddin
befunky-starting-graphic-design
befunky-starting-graphic-design
Screenshot of a design tool interface featuring template options for social media, business marketing, and more. Includes graduation, brunch, and craft expo templates. Categories like 'Editor's Choice' and 'Posters' are visible on a sidebar.
Screenshot of a design platform interface showing template options and blank canvas settings for social media posts, presentations, and posters. Left panel displays thumbnails for Facebook and Instagram stories, posts, and posters. Right panel shows
Three posters: Left features cooking class schedule with food images; middle advertises a spring sale with a person sitting; right promotes a trivia night with drink graphic.
A collage of three promotional posters. The first poster is a 4th of July sale announcement offering up to 50% off on a blue background with stars. The second poster features a group of smiling people seated with a John F. Kennedy quote. The third po

Outcomes

The new onboarding flow turned confusion into confidence. New users found value faster, explored more features, and stuck around longer.

  • Web App: BeFunky Designer App

  • Timeline: 12 weeks (sprint based)

  • Stakeholders: CEO, Director of Product, Lead Developer, Full Stack Developer, Content Manager, Customer Support, Visual Designer