If you’ve ever been dropped into a new tool and told, “Just get started, it’s easy,” you know it’s rarely that simple. This guide is for folks who want to get new users up and running in Serper.dev without wasting an afternoon—or making them hate you in the process. Whether you’re a team lead, developer, or someone who just drew the short straw for onboarding, here’s how to do it quickly, without missing the stuff that actually matters.
1. Decide What “Onboarded” Actually Means
Before you touch a dashboard or start firing off invites, get clear: what’s the minimum a new user should be able to do in Serperdev before you consider them “onboarded”? Otherwise, you’ll end up with folks logged in but lost.
- Define success: Is it making their first API call? Setting up an integration? Just logging in and not breaking anything?
- Write it down: Seriously—don’t skip this. If you can’t say in one sentence what “done” looks like, you’ll confuse everyone.
- Be realistic: You don’t need them to master every feature. Focus on what’s needed for their job.
Pro tip: If you’re onboarding several roles (devs, PMs, support), make a short checklist for each. Don’t assume everyone needs the same stuff.
2. Prep the Serperdev Workspace
Most onboarding headaches are avoidable if you get the basics set up before new users log in.
- Create user accounts: Decide how you’ll add people—manually, via SSO, or with an invite link.
- Set permissions: Don’t just give everyone admin rights. Set roles based on what they actually need to do.
- Clean up clutter: Remove old test data, unused projects, or random integrations from previous experiments. New folks don’t need to see your graveyard.
What to ignore: Don’t bother with advanced configurations or integrations until users can handle the basics. You can always add complexity later.
3. Send a No-Nonsense Welcome
Most onboarding emails are unreadable—too long, too vague, or full of marketing fluff. Don’t do that.
- Stick to the essentials: Login link, credentials (if needed), and a quick sentence about what Serperdev does.
- Set expectations: Tell them what they’ll be doing in their first session. “You’ll log in, set your password, and connect your first data source.”
- Who to ask for help: Name a real person or channel—not just “contact support.”
Sample welcome note:
“Hi [Name],
You’ve been added to Serperdev. Here’s your login link: [link].
Once you’re in, set your password and connect your main project.
If you hit any snags, message me or ping #serper-help on Slack.”
4. Walk Them Through the First Login
Don’t assume people know what to do, even if they’re tech-savvy. The first login is where people get stuck—or get going.
- Screen recording or screenshots: Send a 1-minute video or some annotated screenshots showing the login and setup process.
- Highlight what matters: Point out where to find the dashboard, key menus, and where not to click.
- Warn about common gotchas: For example, “The password reset email might end up in spam,” or “Ignore the ‘advanced settings’ tab for now.”
Pro tip: Do this walkthrough live with your first new user. You’ll catch things docs never mention.
5. Guide Them to Do One Real Task
Theory is boring. Give them a hands-on task—ideally something they’ll actually do in their job.
- Pick a real-world task: E.g., “Connect your dev environment,” “Run your first query,” or “Set up your API key.”
- Step-by-step, not step-zero: Spell out exactly where to click, what to enter, and what to expect. No one likes guessing.
- Check their work: Have them confirm when they’re done, or jump on a quick call to verify.
What doesn’t work: Don’t hand them a 30-page manual. No one reads it. Small, actionable steps win every time.
6. Show Where to Get Help (and What to Ignore)
People get stuck. It’s not a failure; it’s just reality. The key is making sure they know how to get unstuck.
- Centralize help: Point to a single source—internal wiki, Slack channel, or Serperdev’s own docs. Don’t scatter info across five places.
- Set support boundaries: If you’re not 24/7 support, say so. People respect honesty.
- Ignore the noise: Tell them which docs or features are “advanced” or “optional.” Don’t let them drown in irrelevant info.
Real talk: Most users won’t ask for help until they’re really frustrated. Make it easy and low-pressure to reach out.
7. Ask for Feedback Immediately
Don’t wait until the next “retrospective.” What tripped them up today will trip up the next person unless you fix it now.
- Quick check-in: After their first task, ask, “What was confusing? What took longer than it should?”
- Act fast: If something in Serperdev is broken, document the workaround (or fix it, if you can).
- Iterate: Update your checklist or walkthrough based on what you learn. Onboarding isn’t a one-and-done project.
Pro tip: Keep a running list of “stupid little things” that slow people down. These are usually easy wins.
8. Gradually Introduce Advanced Features
Once users are comfortable with the basics, you can layer on more advanced stuff—but resist the urge to show everything at once.
- Time it right: Wait until they’ve done their core tasks a few times before introducing new features.
- Teach by use-case: Show features when they solve a real problem, not just because you’re excited about them.
- Don’t overwhelm: Too much, too soon, and they’ll tune out (or worse, break something).
What to skip: Avoid “feature tours” that cover every button. No one remembers it, and it’s usually a waste of time.
9. Keep It Simple, Keep It Moving
Don’t fall into the trap of endless onboarding. The goal isn’t to create experts overnight—it’s to get people productive, fast.
- Set a short onboarding window: Aim for same-day or next-day basics.
- Document as you go: If a step is confusing, fix your instructions for the next user.
- Celebrate small wins: A quick “Nice work, you’re in!” goes a long way.
Quick Reference: The Fast-Track Checklist
- Define what “onboarded” means for your users.
- Prep the Serperdev workspace (accounts, permissions, cleanup).
- Send a clear, simple welcome email.
- Walk through the first login with screenshots or video.
- Assign one real, practical task to get started.
- Point to a single source for help—don’t scatter resources.
- Ask for feedback right away and update your process.
- Introduce advanced features only as needed, not upfront.
- Keep it simple, iterate, and don’t drag it out.
Final Thoughts
Getting people up and running in Serperdev doesn’t have to be a slog. Skip the clutter, focus on real tasks, and keep your process short and clear. The best onboarding is the one that doesn’t make users feel dumb—or waste their time. Keep it simple, fix what’s broken, and don’t be afraid to iterate as you go. That’s how you actually get people on board—quickly.