Introduction

Most products fail not because they’re bad, but because people quit before understanding them. The first moments using a product decide everything.

What's the problem it solves?

Many companies focus on advanced users and forget how hard it is for new users to get started. This article shows why those early steps-called the “first mile”-are the most important, and how ignoring them can ruin your product’s chances of success.

Quick Summary

When people first try a product, they often don’t understand it right away. The early experience-like the welcome screen, onboarding tips, and first actions-matters more than most teams realize. But companies often treat this part as an afterthought or rush it just before launch. That’s a big mistake.

The author explains that most users are lazy, want fast results, and care about themselves in the first 15 seconds. So, instead of showing or explaining, good products help users do something right away. A smooth “first mile” makes people feel like they understand the product and know what to do next. That’s when they enter “The Zone”-a place where they’re engaged and ready to keep using it.

Great products also use tricks like showing progress, offering helpful templates, using clear words, and showing off quick wins to keep users interested. The key is to never stop improving the first mile, because as new people join, their needs change too.

Key Takeaways from the article

• New users leave fast if they feel confused-don’t ignore the beginning of their journey.
• The first 15 seconds matter most: users want speed, success, and something useful.
• Let people do something early-templates, tips, and smart defaults help.
• Don’t try to be too clever-use clear, familiar language and design.
• Show quick wins or ego-boosts (like likes or views) to keep people engaged.
• Avoid making users choose too much early on-pick good defaults.
• If your product looks empty, show something helpful or fun right away.
• Keep improving the first mile over time-new users will keep changing.
• Never build the first mile at the end of the project-it should be a top priority.
• The best products grow because they always stay easy to start using.

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