Time to first action (TTFA) is a metric that measures how long it takes for a new user to complete a desired action in your product. The desired action can be anything from signing up for an account to creating a new project. TTFA is a key metric for product managers because it can help you understand how easy it is for users to get started with your product and start seeing value.
A short TTFA is generally considered to be good, as it indicates that users are able to quickly find what they need and start using your product. A long TTFA, on the other hand, can indicate that users are struggling to understand your product or that the onboarding process is too complex.
Examples of First Actions
The first action could be diverse based on your product's nature. For instance:
- If you're managing a social media platform, the first action might be posting a status or following other users.
- In an e-commerce app, the first action might involve searching for a product, adding an item to the cart, or making a purchase.
- For a productivity tool, the first action could be creating a task, project, or document.
Measuring and Analyzing TTFA
To effectively measure and analyze TTFA, consider these steps:
- Define Meaningful Actions: Clearly identify the core actions that represent value for your users.
- Track Time: Use analytics tools to measure the time it takes for users to complete these actions after their initial interaction.
- Segment Users: Analyze TFA across different user segments to identify variations in onboarding experiences.
- Identify Bottlenecks: If TFA is longer than desired, identify potential bottlenecks or obstacles in the user journey.
- A/B Testing: Implement A/B tests to optimize onboarding processes and reduce TFA.
- Iterative Improvement: Continuously iterate and refine the onboarding process to reduce TFA and enhance user experience.
There are a few things you can do to improve your TTFA
- Make the onboarding process as simple as possible: The goal of the onboarding process is to get users up and running with your product as quickly as possible. Avoid complex or confusing steps, and make sure the onboarding flow is intuitive.
- Highlight the key features of your product: When users first sign up for your product, they should be immediately aware of the key features that can help them achieve their goals. Make sure these features are prominently displayed and easy to find.
- Provide clear instructions and guidance: Users should never be left wondering what to do next. Provide clear instructions and guidance throughout the onboarding process, and make sure there are plenty of resources available to help users if they get stuck.
By tracking your TTFA and making improvements over time, you can create a product that is easy to use and provides value to users quickly. This can lead to increased user satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, revenue.
