In this article, I’ll break down: what a user journey map is, why you should use a user journey map, the downside of using a user journey map, the step-by-step on how to make a user journey map.

It's easy to confuse user journeys from customer journeys. Learn the difference between the two and how to use them.

Turning first-time users into long-term customers requires an understanding of where your users are coming from and what they want to do. Creating user journey maps helps you keep user motivation at the front of your mind and create UX flows that get users where they want to go.

This article gives an overview of four commonly used mappings, their defining characteristics, and when to use which: empathy maps, customer journey maps, experience maps, and service blueprints.

While maps take a wide variety of forms depending on context and business goals, certain elements are generally included, and there are underlying guidelines to follow that help them be the most successful.