Podbean
Podbean
Podbean
Platform for creating, publishing, and listening to podcasts.
Platform for creating, publishing, and listening to podcasts.
App
App
Onboarding
Onboarding
Redesign
Redesign
5 weeks - 2023
5 weeks - 2023
skip to final design
Problem
Problem
Problem
Podbean’s onboarding lacks clarity and fails to distinguish between different user needs, leaving both listeners and creators unsure of how to begin.
Podbean’s onboarding lacks clarity and fails to distinguish between different user needs, leaving both listeners and creators unsure of how to begin.
Solution
Solution
Solution
Redesign the onboarding flow to recognize and guide different user goals, offering tailored paths for listeners and creators, with clear instructions, preference-based personalization, and the ability to revisit and adjust choices anytime.
Redesign the onboarding flow to recognize and guide different user goals, offering tailored paths for listeners and creators, with clear instructions, preference-based personalization, and the ability to revisit and adjust choices anytime.
Current status
Current status
Unclear onboarding across platforms weakens the first-time user experience.
Unclear onboarding across platforms weakens the first-time user experience.
Unclear onboarding across platforms weakens the first-time user experience.
While Podbean distinguishes between creators and listeners, the onboarding process is brief and inconsistent across platforms. On mobile, users see just a single screen with limited, poorly tailored podcast suggestions, offering little sense of personalization. On desktop, creators are presented with broad options like “upload” or “record,” but without clear guidance on how to proceed. The lack of instructional support and alignment between platforms can make it harder for both user types to get started smoothly and confidently.
While Podbean distinguishes between creators and listeners, the onboarding process is brief and inconsistent across platforms. On mobile, users see just a single screen with limited, poorly tailored podcast suggestions, offering little sense of personalization. On desktop, creators are presented with broad options like “upload” or “record,” but without clear guidance on how to proceed. The lack of instructional support and alignment between platforms can make it harder for both user types to get started smoothly and confidently.
Mobile
Desktop
Target audience
Listeners
Listeners
Listeners
*Young adult in their 20s
*Limited free time, multitasks while consuming content
*Has focused learning habits
*Interested only in podcasts, not in other content types
*Uses the app mostly on mobile
*Young adult in their 20s
*Limited free time, multitasks while consuming content
*Has focused learning habits
*Interested only in podcasts, not in other content types
*Uses the app mostly on mobile
Creators
Creators
Creators
*Late 30s, expert in their field
*Wants to share knowledge effectively
*Willing to invest time in content creation
*Prefers desktop for content upload and uses online tutorials for help
*Needs a smooth, non-technical publishing flow
*Late 30s, expert in their field
*Wants to share knowledge effectively
*Willing to invest time in content creation
*Prefers desktop for content upload and uses online tutorials for help
*Needs a smooth, non-technical publishing flow
User goals
Listeners want effortless content, while creators seek easy publishing—both expect a simple, personalized experience.
Listeners want effortless content, while creators seek easy publishing—both expect a simple, personalized experience.
Listeners
Effortless Discovery
Listeners want to quickly discover podcasts that match their interests without having to browse through unrelated or overwhelming content.
Personalized Recommendations
They want personalized recommendations and intuitive navigation so they can easily listen while multitasking or on the go.
Creators
Simple Publishing
Creators want a simple, step-by-step process for recording, uploading, and publishing their podcast without needing prior technical knowledge.
All-in-One Workflow
They aim to manage the entire podcast creation workflow—recording, editing, and publishing—in one platform, ideally from either desktop or mobile.
pain points
Inconsistent onboarding across platforms and unclear instructions.
Inconsistent onboarding across platforms and unclear instructions.
Inconsistent onboarding across platforms and unclear instructions.
Inconsistent Onboarding
Users often feel confused during onboarding because the steps and content vary significantly between desktop and mobile.
Unclear Instructions
There’s no clear, guided explanation for how to begin based on whether the user is a creator or a listener.
Lack of Personalization
The system doesn't personalize content effectively based on user interests or needs, resulting in a generic first impression.
Skipping Onboarding
It's too easy to skip onboarding steps, and once skipped, there’s no option to revisit or adjust choices later.
Lack of Personalization
The system doesn't personalize content effectively based on user interests or needs, resulting in a generic first impression.
Skipping Onboarding
It's too easy to skip onboarding steps, and once skipped, there’s no option to revisit or adjust choices later.
Insights
Personalized and clear onboarding can improve user engagement.
Personalized and clear onboarding can improve user engagement.
Personalized and clear onboarding can improve user engagement.
Clearer Segmentation Needed
The onboarding process should clearly distinguish between the needs of listeners and creators for more effective guidance.
Clearer Segmentation Needed
The onboarding process should clearly distinguish between the needs of listeners and creators for more effective guidance.
Personalization Drives Engagement
Tailoring content suggestions and the flow of the experience will help users feel more engaged and valued.
Personalization Drives Engagement
Tailoring content suggestions and the flow of the experience will help users feel more engaged and valued.
Users Want Flexibility
Allowing users to adjust their onboarding choices and preferences after starting will improve satisfaction.
Users Want Flexibility
Allowing users to adjust their onboarding choices and preferences after starting will improve satisfaction.
Simplify the Setup
Streamlining the onboarding steps with clearer instructions and fewer technical barriers will enhance the experience for both types of users.
Simplify the Setup
Streamlining the onboarding steps with clearer instructions and fewer technical barriers will enhance the experience for both types of users.
User flow
User flow
Design system
Design system
The design system is built to balance clarity with energy — using a bright, optimistic color palette that keeps the interface feeling light, even when the content is dense. Typography choices prioritize readability across both mobile and web, with clear hierarchy for quick scanning during fast-paced study sessions. Visual elements are kept clean and structured, while playful touches add warmth and a sense of collaboration. The system is rooted in the needs of busy students: it’s informative without being overwhelming, academic without feeling rigid, and designed to turn exam prep into something that feels a little more human — and a lot more doable.
The design system is built to balance clarity with energy — using a bright, optimistic color palette that keeps the interface feeling light, even when the content is dense. Typography choices prioritize readability across both mobile and web, with clear hierarchy for quick scanning during fast-paced study sessions. Visual elements are kept clean and structured, while playful touches add warmth and a sense of collaboration. The system is rooted in the needs of busy students: it’s informative without being overwhelming, academic without feeling rigid, and designed to turn exam prep into something that feels a little more human — and a lot more doable.
full design
The final product
The final product
The final product
The new onboarding flow clearly separates creators and listeners, guiding each through a focused, intuitive path. Listeners receive personalized podcast suggestions based on their preferences, while creators get simple, step-by-step support for uploading or recording. This redesign makes it easier for users to get started — no matter their goal.
The new onboarding flow clearly separates creators and listeners, guiding each through a focused, intuitive path. Listeners receive personalized podcast suggestions based on their preferences, while creators get simple, step-by-step support for uploading or recording. This redesign makes it easier for users to get started — no matter their goal.
User goals
Listeners want effortless content, while creators seek easy publishing—both expect a simple, personalized experience.
Listeners
Effortless Discovery
Listeners want to quickly discover podcasts that match their interests without having to browse through unrelated or overwhelming content.
Personalized Recommendations
They want personalized recommendations and intuitive navigation so they can easily listen while multitasking or on the go.
Creators
Simple Publishing
Creators want a simple, step-by-step process for recording, uploading, and publishing their podcast without needing prior technical knowledge.
All-in-One Workflow
They aim to manage the entire podcast creation workflow—recording, editing, and publishing—in one platform, ideally from either desktop or mobile.