If you’ve ever watched new users bounce from your SaaS app because they’re lost, confused, or just plain bored, you know onboarding matters. Product tours can help—but only if they’re done right. This guide is for SaaS folks who want to build dynamic, user-friendly tours in Feathery without drowning in buzzwords or overcomplicating things.
We’ll skip the fluff and get right into what actually works, what doesn’t, and how you can use Feathery to create product tours that actually make users stick around.
Why bother with product tours—aren’t tooltips enough?
Let’s be real: most people hate onboarding screens that treat them like they’ve never used a computer. The problem isn’t showing users what to do—it’s showing them only what matters, when it matters. Static tours rarely do this. They’re like IKEA instructions—too generic, and you still end up with leftover screws.
Dynamic product tours, on the other hand, react to what users do. They guide, not lecture. And Feathery makes it possible to build these without hiring a developer or pulling your hair out.
But don’t expect a product tour to fix a fundamentally confusing product. If your app’s a maze, no amount of onboarding will save it. Tours are for smoothing the path—not paving over potholes.
Step 1: Nail down what your users actually need
Before you open Feathery, figure out what users get stuck on. Here’s how:
- Watch real users. Use a tool like FullStory, Hotjar, or plain old Zoom calls. Where do they hesitate? What do they miss?
- Talk to support. Your help desk knows the “where is that button?” questions by heart.
- Look at your data. Find the drop-off points in your sign-up and activation flows.
Pro tip: Don’t try to tour everything. Focus on two or three actions that help users “get it” and see value fast. For most SaaS, that’s whatever gets them to their first “aha!” moment.
Step 2: Plan your tour (on paper, sticky notes, or whatever works)
Dynamic doesn’t mean complicated. You’re aiming for a tour that adapts to what the user does, not a choose-your-own-adventure novel. Here’s what to sketch out:
- Key steps: What does the user have to do? (Example: connect an integration, invite a teammate, create their first project)
- Branching points: Are there different paths for different user types? (Admins vs. regular users)
- Exit ramps: How can users skip, snooze, or revisit the tour? Don’t trap them.
Keep it simple. If you can’t explain your tour to a coworker in under a minute, you’re overthinking it.
Step 3: Set up Feathery and create your first tour
Assuming you’ve signed up for Feathery (it’s a few clicks—nothing tricky), here’s how to get started:
1. Create a new flow
- In Feathery, a “flow” is just a sequence of steps or screens.
- Hit “Create Flow,” give it a name, and choose a starting trigger (like “First Login” or “Clicks Feature X”).
- You can pick from templates, but honestly, it’s faster to start from scratch unless your app is super generic.
2. Add steps and content
- Each step can highlight an element, pop up a message, or point users to a task.
- Keep instructions short. “Click here to add your first project” beats a paragraph of hand-holding.
- Use screenshots or GIFs if needed—but don’t go overboard.
What works: Anchoring steps to real UI elements so users know exactly where to click.
What doesn’t: Walls of text, or generic “Next, Next, Done” screens.
3. Make it dynamic with conditions
Here’s where Feathery stands out: you can set up branching and conditional logic without coding.
- Use “If/Then” logic to show (or skip) steps based on what the user has already done.
- Example: If the user has already invited a teammate, skip that step.
- Pull in user data (like plan type or role) to personalize the tour.
- Set up triggers so the tour starts at the right moment—not just on first login.
Ignore: Overcomplicating things with too many branches. More logic = more stuff to maintain.
Step 4: Preview, test, and break it (on purpose)
Don’t ship your tour live just yet. Run through it yourself, then ask a couple of coworkers to try it too.
- Look for edge cases: What happens if a user skips steps? Can you get stuck?
- Check mobile views: Feathery supports responsive tours, but test your actual app.
- Watch for timing issues: If your app loads slowly, does the tour try to highlight stuff that isn’t there yet?
Pro tip: The more dynamic your tour, the more chances it has to break. Test weird scenarios—like users who already completed some steps, or who reload the page halfway through.
Step 5: Go live (but start small)
Once you’re happy, roll out the tour—but don’t blast it to everyone at once.
- Launch to a small user segment first. Pick new signups, or a test group.
- Watch the data. Feathery gives you step completion stats. If everyone bails halfway, something’s off.
- Ask for feedback. Add a quick “Was this helpful?” at the end, or follow up with users directly.
Iterate quickly. If you wait for perfection, you’ll never launch.
Step 6: Measure what matters (and don’t get lost in vanity metrics)
It’s tempting to obsess over how many people finish your tour. But finishing the tour isn’t the goal—using your product is.
- Track real activation: Did users actually do the key action after the tour?
- Check retention: Are users who take the tour more likely to stick around after a week or a month?
- Look for “rage clicks” and drop-offs: If people are clicking wildly, something’s confusing.
If your metrics don’t budge, change the tour—or, honestly, rethink your onboarding strategy. A slick tour can’t save a confusing product.
What to skip (and what to double down on)
Skip:
- Touring every feature: It’s overwhelming and nobody remembers. Focus on what’s essential.
- Unskippable tours: People hate being trapped.
- Overly clever animations: If it looks like a Vegas slot machine, tone it down.
Double down on:
- Personalization: Show users only what’s relevant to them.
- Giving users control: Let them pause, skip, or revisit the tour.
- Iterating: Your first tour won’t be perfect. That’s normal.
Wrapping up: Keep it simple, ship, and iterate
Dynamic product tours in Feathery can absolutely help SaaS users get their bearings—if you keep them focused and relevant. Don’t get seduced by flashy features or try to solve every UX problem with a tour. Start small, watch real users, and tweak as you go.
Remember: The best onboarding gets out of the user’s way fast. Build your tour, ship it, and move on to the next thing that’ll actually help your users succeed.