One evening, while browsing the Google Play Store, I came across WageStream. Curious about how the product introduced itself to new users, I downloaded the app and experienced the onboarding as if I were using it for the first time.

The product addressed a meaningful problem, but its onboarding didn't communicate that value with the same level of clarity. Instead of helping users understand how the app could improve their financial wellbeing, it focused primarily on explaining its features.

That observation became the foundation of this redesign.

Rather than simply refreshing the interface, my goal was to redesign the conversation WageStream has with users during their first few minutes in the app.

WageStream is a financial wellbeing platform that gives employees access to a portion of their earned wages before payday while helping them build healthier financial habits.

Unlike traditional banking products, it becomes part of users' lives during moments of financial uncertainty, when trust and reassurance matter just as much as functionality. Because of that, onboarding has a greater responsibility than simply introducing the app. It should immediately communicate a sense of confidence, control, and financial security.

People don't download financial apps because they enjoy managing money. They download them to feel more in control of it.

WageStream's onboarding focused on explaining features instead of helping users understand the value those features bring. For a product designed to reduce financial stress, the experience felt informative but not reassuring.

Before redesigning the onboarding, I audited the existing experience to identify opportunities for improvement.

Feature-focused messaging: The onboarding explained what the app could do but failed to communicate why those features mattered to users.

Limited user control: Screens progressed automatically, preventing users from moving through the experience at their own pace.

Unnecessary friction: Five onboarding screens delayed the moment users could begin creating an account.

Weak emotional connection: The visuals showcased interface previews instead of helping users imagine themselves becoming more financially confident.

Rather than jumping straight into Figma, I wanted to understand what builds trust during onboarding. My research combined three approaches.

Competitive Analysis: Reviewed onboarding experiences across leading fintech products to understand how successful financial apps communicate value during the first interaction.

User Conversations: Spoke with potential users about what makes them trust a financial app and what they expect during onboarding.

UX Research: Reviewed onboarding principles and UX literature to understand how messaging influences trust, motivation, and user engagement.

Sarah Johnson Age: 29 | Marketing Executive | London, UK

Feel more in control of her finances

Access earned wages when unexpected expenses arise

Build healthier money habits

Financial uncertainty before payday

Doesn't immediately trust financial products

Overwhelmed by feature-heavy onboarding

Users connect with outcomes, not features. People wanted to understand how the app would improve their financial lives rather than learn about every capability.

Trust begins with familiarity. Participants responded more positively to experiences featuring real people instead of interface-heavy illustrations.

Control creates confidence. Users preferred navigating onboarding at their own pace rather than being guided automatically.

Less is often more. Long onboarding experiences felt repetitive. Users preferred a concise introduction that reached value faster.

The existing onboarding successfully introduced WageStream's features but failed to communicate the emotional value users were looking for. Instead of building confidence and trust, it prioritized functionality, making it harder for first-time users to connect with the product before signing up.

The redesign focused on four core improvements.

Outcome-driven messaging: Shifted the copy from explaining features to communicating meaningful user outcomes.

Human-centered storytelling: Introduced authentic photography to create empathy and reinforce trust.

User-controlled navigation: Removed automatic screen progression and gave users complete control over how they moved through onboarding.

Reduced friction: Simplified the experience by reducing the onboarding flow from five screens to four.

Plus Jakarta Sans (Primary) - Selected for its clean geometric forms, modern personality, and excellent legibility across mobile interfaces. Its slightly rounded terminals give the interface a warm, approachable feel that aligns with WageStream's mission of financial wellbeing.

DM Sans (Secondary) - Used for supporting text and UI elements. Its neutral, low-contrast design pairs well with Plus Jakarta Sans while maintaining strong readability at smaller sizes.

The redesign builds on WageStream's existing purple brand identity while introducing a darker interface to improve contrast and visual hierarchy.

Screen 01 - Take Control of Your Pay Introduces the product through an emotional outcome instead of a feature, immediately communicating confidence and financial control.

Screen 02 - Know Exactly What You've Earned Reassures users by emphasizing transparency and helping them understand where they stand financially.

Screen 03 - Access Pay Before Payday Highlights WageStream's core value proposition through real-life benefits rather than technical explanations.

Screen 04 - Build Healthy Money Habits Ends the journey by reinforcing long-term financial wellbeing before inviting users to create an account.

The original onboarding introduced the product through functionality, interface previews, and automatic progression. While informative, it lacked emotional connection and user control.

The redesign communicates value through outcome-driven messaging, human-centered visuals, manual navigation, and a shorter onboarding journey that better reflects WageStream's mission.

Feature-focused messaging became outcome-driven messaging

Interface-heavy visuals became human-centered photography

Automatic progression became user-controlled navigation

5 onboarding screens became 4 streamlined screens

Functional introduction became an emotionally engaging experience

To validate the redesign, I shared both versions with the Contra community and asked which onboarding communicated the product more effectively.

87% of participants preferred the redesigned onboarding, describing it as more engaging, relatable, and easier to understand. The remaining 13% preferred the original experience, primarily because they were already familiar with the existing onboarding.

Social Poat link : https://on.contra.com/GrR7FW

This project reinforced an important lesson: onboarding isn't about explaining every feature. It's about giving users enough confidence to take the next step.

By shifting the focus from functionality to emotional outcomes, simplifying the onboarding flow, and giving users more control, the redesign creates a stronger first impression that aligns more closely with WageStream's mission.

While I intentionally limited the scope to onboarding, I also identified opportunities within the sign-up flow. If I were to continue this project, my next step would be redesigning and usability-testing the sign-up experience to measure improvements in completion rates and user confidence.