Practice shows that no matter what the product is, its users generally fall into two categories: those who want to get a profound knowledge of the product before using it and those who wish first to start using the product and then learn all the details.
People from the first category prefer to carefully read about each button and only then push it. People from the second category will begin clicking all the buttons first and then understand how it works. If you refer yourself to the ‘clicking-the-buttons’ type, you might be very good at understanding things by analogy or intuitively and making things around you work without losing time. If so, a Quick Start Guide or a QSG is for you.
What Is a Quick Start Guide?
A Quick Start Guide (QSG) is a concise document designed to help users quickly understand how to get started with a product, often by focusing on the essential steps needed to begin using it immediately.
You can come across different names for a QSG: a quick user guide and a quick start manual are quite common. Some people look at it as a quick-reference guide – a set of steps that can help you find the necessary instructions in a wink of an eye, without reading all the lengthy introductory information.
When looking for a quick start guide definition, it is important to focus on its main functions. The most prominent one is making buyers familiar with a product in practically no time. A QSG looks like a regular manual but has a more concise form. It describes the steps of using a product so that the buyer can use it without delay. If a QSG refers to software, it can include installation steps. One of its aims is to make things easier; that is why it usually contains illustrations.
Types of Quick Start Guides
Quick Start Guides (QSG) come in various formats and styles, depending on the product and its intended audience. While they all share the goal of providing a fast and efficient way for users to get started, there are different types to cater to different needs. Below are some common types of Quick Start Guides:
Hardware Quick Start Guide
These guides are designed for physical products like electronics, appliances, or gadgets. They typically include:
- Basic setup instructions (e.g., assembling the product, connecting it to power)
- Labeling parts or components of the product
- Simple troubleshooting steps for common setup problems
Example: A QSG for a home Wi-Fi router might include instructions on how to plug in the router, connect it to your computer, and log in to configure settings.
Software Quick Start Guide
These are for applications, programs, or digital platforms. A software QSG provides:
- Installation steps (how to download, install, or sign in)
- Initial setup instructions
- Basic walkthrough of core functions or features
Example: A QSG for a photo-editing software might include instructions on how to upload your first photo, use basic tools, and save or share images.
Online Service Quick Start Guide
This type of guide is tailored for cloud-based or subscription-based services, such as web applications or online platforms. It might include:
- How to create an account or log in
- How to configure basic settings
- How to use key features of the service
Example: A QSG for an online project management tool might show users how to create a project, invite team members, and add tasks.
Mobile App Quick Start Guide
For mobile applications, QSGs are typically designed for users to start using the app without reading through a lot of information. They usually cover:
- How to install the app from app stores
- Basic navigation and gestures
- Key features of the app
Example: A QSG for a fitness tracking app could include instructions on syncing the app with a fitness device, setting up a profile, and starting the first workout session.
Mixed (Product + Software) Quick Start Guide
For products that involve both physical setup and software integration (e.g., smart home devices), this type of QSG covers both the hardware and software setup, guiding users through each part in a step-by-step manner.
Example: A QSG for a smart speaker might include instructions on connecting the speaker to Wi-Fi, downloading the app, and linking the device to a smart assistant.
Quick Start Guide vs. User Manual
A QSG looks like a user manual, but it is much shorter. It does not go deep into all the specific features of a product, be it an electronic appliance, a tool, a software program, or an app. It just helps the user to begin working as soon as possible.
A QSG is meant for beginners who want to start quickly and easily. A good quick start guide example is a QSG for a robotic vacuum cleaner. Imagine that you are going to buy it for your apartment. You have already seen it working at your friends’ place, and you are sure that it will not require much supervision on your part in the process of work. You just need to start it, and it will do all the rest. A QSG is all you need. It gives you simple instructions on where the start, pause, and stop buttons are. It also contains a photo of the water container location and explains how to fill it.
Now imagine that you have become an experienced user. One day a lego part gets inside the robot, and you don’t know how to get it out. In this case, a QSG is no longer enough. You have to consult a user manual. Unlike the QSG, it gives you a very detailed description of how to take the rolling brush out of the vacuum cleaner and how to fix it after cleaning.
A user manual contains more types of information than a quick start guide: product name, type, features, elements, safety warnings, installation, maintenance, repair information. It can also contain a glossary of terms. It can be both printed and online. From the point of view of a technical writer, creating a user manual might be more difficult and time-taking than writing a QSG.
Here’s a table comparing Quick Start Guides (QSG) and User Manuals with examples for each:
| Topic | Quick Start Guide (QSG) | User Manual |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To help users start using a product quickly with basic, essential steps. | To provide detailed instructions covering all features, functions, and troubleshooting for the product. |
| Content | Focuses only on the most important actions for immediate use, minimal text, and clear instructions. | Includes in-depth details, explanations, advanced functions, maintenance, troubleshooting, and more. |
| Target Audience | New or beginner users who need quick instructions to get started. | All users, including beginners and experienced ones, who need detailed guidance for comprehensive use. |
| Length | Short, typically 1-2 pages. | Longer, often 10-50 pages depending on the complexity of the product. |
| Language Style | Simple and concise, using minimal technical jargon. | More formal, technical, and thorough, with explanations of complex concepts and processes. |
| Visuals | Frequently uses visuals like illustrations, diagrams, and screenshots to guide users through setup. | May contain visuals, but focuses more on text to explain product features and maintenance procedures. |
| Example | A QSG for a robotic vacuum cleaner might include instructions on how to turn it on, charge it, and basic cleaning functions. | A user manual for the same vacuum could include instructions on troubleshooting, advanced settings, and maintenance steps. |
Why Is Quick Start Guide Important?
A QSG focuses only on the features that are essential for the start-up of an appliance or the installation of a software program. It means that it has a very specific purpose, reflected in the name.
It is also important when the target audience has a beginner level of knowledge of the language this document is written in. Such an audience will have problems understanding the technical language of a user manual. These readers will need minimum text and maximum illustrations.
How to Write a Quick Start Guide?
Below are the steps that will be helpful in writing a QSG:
- First become a user, then a writer. Only after you get familiar with the product you are ready to look at it the way your audience does.
- Focus on your target audience. Only in this case, you will represent the information the right way.
- Write clearly and concisely. Avoid technical terms and complex sentences.
- Support the text with graphic materials (figures, drawings, screenshots, diagrams, illustrations, etc.).
Quick Start Guide Examples
By way of example, let’s have a look at the Whirlpool dishwasher Quick Start Guide. First of all, it is very concise. The whole text consists of one page. The booklet has two pages for the English and the French version. The guide has a box with the warning information, five simple steps for an easy start-up of the machine, a table with a description of cycles, etc. Secondly, it has visuals that are helpful for the audience who don’t want to lose their time or just don’t know English or French.
Conclusion
A good QSG can be really helpful and solve many problems. To write an effective QSG, technical writers should keep the text concise and provide illustrations. When it concerns writing many QSGs for different products, a help authoring tool can be used to ensure that all the documents are uniform both in terms of contents and design. It is also important to focus on accessibility to ensure all users can engage with them. In addition, incorporating research helps improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the QSGs. Consistency in the brand voice throughout will also enhance the experience for users, making it easier for them to follow the instructions.
Good luck with your technical writing!
ClickHelp Team
Author, host and deliver documentation across platforms and devices
FAQ
What is a Quick Start Guide (QSG)?
A Quick Start Guide (QSG) is a concise document that helps users quickly get started with a product. It focuses on essential steps to begin using the product immediately, often with minimal text and supporting illustrations.
How does a Quick Start Guide differ from a user manual?
While a QSG provides brief, step-by-step instructions to get users started quickly, a user manual is more comprehensive, offering detailed explanations about the product, its features, troubleshooting steps, and maintenance. A QSG is ideal for beginners, whereas a user manual is suited for more experienced users who need in-depth information.
Who should use a Quick Start Guide?
Quick Start Guides are primarily designed for new users who want to begin using a product right away. It is also useful for users who prefer to learn by doing rather than reading detailed documentation.
What should be included in a Quick Start Guide?
A QSG should include only the most essential information to get the user started, such as setup instructions, key features, and any important safety information. It should be concise, easy to read, and supplemented with clear visuals like diagrams or screenshots.
How long should a Quick Start Guide be?
A Quick Start Guide should be as short as possible while still providing all the essential information. Typically, it may be one or two pages long, depending on the complexity of the product. The focus is on brevity and clarity.
