The screens above represent the first time user experience I encountered in the Intuit TurboTax SnapTax app for iOS.
The good bits:
- SnapTax nicely utilizes the concept of providing free samples. Even though tax returns require higher security protocols than most content pieces, Intuit still allows users to try out the key features—namely, starting a tax return by using the camera—without needing to create an account first. By providing functionality for “free”, Intuit has a better chance of selling their users on this version of TurboTax.
- The app also embodies the
showinteract, don’t tell FTUE design principle. When a user taps “Try it first”, she is immediately taken to the primary screen of the app which lays out the steps needed to complete the return. Additionally, the how-to-snap-a-photo walkthrough is not triggered until the user decides to go into the Snap a Photo flow, instead of putting it out of context at app start. - The app sets expectations and establishes its trustworthiness by seeding text like “secure”, “private” and “certified” in various screen elements; use of the lock icon also reinforces the notion. The app does this without needing to use any sort of up-front intro walkthrough.
To be improved:
- The actions to progress the “Before you snap” tutorial are not readily apparent. The small “x” in the first overlay, as well as the “Back”/”Next” labels, are dwarfed by the large imagery and animations.