Fresh Start Effect

You could let returning users pick up where they left off or start anew, so a lapse in activity feels like a fresh start rather than a failure.

White modal on bright blue background shows welcome text for Saad with two blue buttons: "Resume my progress" and "Reset my progress," prompting training continuation or restart.

Example from

Elevate

Try checking whether a returning user's goals have changed, and letting them reset if so, using the fresh start effect to realign them with what they want now.

Welcome back screen shows a happy apple mascot above "Start!" blue button with arrow. Arrow points to a survey question with "back" underlined in black text white boxes.

Example from

Yazio

You could add a daily task about getting back into a routine for returning users, framing the fresh start before prompting them to turn on reminders.

Headspace app UI with meditation tasks: "Getting Back on the Wagon" and "Set a reminder so you never miss Headspace Wake Up" in black box with bell icon.

Example from

Headspace

Try adding a swipe gesture to restart a streak after a break, making the fresh start feel deliberate rather than a reminder of the one that was lost.

Duolingo UI shows a dark screen with "Swipe up to ignite your streak!" underlined in orange plus an orange arrow pointing up; adjacent screen shows a 1-day streak with green mascot and fire icon.

Example from

Possible impacts

Timing offers around fresh start moments, e.g., the new year or a user's return, could increase conversion rates, as people may feel more ready to commit.

As seen in:

Offering returning users a fresh start could increase uptake of new courses or programs, as they may prefer trying something new over resuming old progress.

As seen in:

The fresh start effect might help users form new habits more easily, as a clean slate is a natural moment to commit to a schedule or turn on reminders.

As seen in:

Headspace Getting back on the wagon

Letting users leave past failings behind, e.g., a broken streak, may boost their motivation to try again, as a fresh start removes the weight of old progress.

As seen in:

Consultant to 100+ companies

Written by Peter Ramsey

Published: 01/04/2024

How to utilise this in your designs

When users return after a long absence, you could offer a choice between their previous course or a new one, turning the comeback into a fresh start.

Example from

You could let returning users pick up where they left off or start anew, so a lapse in activity feels like a fresh start rather than a failure.

Example from

Elevate

Try checking whether a returning user's goals have changed, and letting them reset if so, using the fresh start effect to realign them with what they want now.

Example from

Yazio

You could add a daily task about getting back into a routine for returning users, framing the fresh start before prompting them to turn on reminders.

Example from

Headspace

Try adding a swipe gesture to restart a streak after a break, making the fresh start feel deliberate rather than a reminder of the one that was lost.

Example from

Possible impacts

Timing offers around fresh start moments, e.g., the new year or a user's return, could increase conversion rates, as people may feel more ready to commit.

As seen in:

Offering returning users a fresh start could increase uptake of new courses or programs, as they may prefer trying something new over resuming old progress.

As seen in:

The fresh start effect might help users form new habits more easily, as a clean slate is a natural moment to commit to a schedule or turn on reminders.

As seen in:

Headspace Getting back on the wagon

Letting users leave past failings behind, e.g., a broken streak, may boost their motivation to try again, as a fresh start removes the weight of old progress.

As seen in: