---
title: "User flow – the designed path to a goal | Sweet Lava"
description: "A user flow maps the screens, decisions and actions from entry to goal, like cart to confirmation. See how mapping flows exposes friction."
url: https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/user-flow/
lang: en
alternate_pl: https://sweetlava.eu/pl/slownik/user-flow/
---

UX & product design 

# What is User flow?

A user flow is the designed path a user takes to reach a goal in a product – the sequence of screens, decisions and actions, e.g. from cart to order confirmation.

Designing flows forces answers to questions easy to miss when designing single screens: where did the user come from? What must they know to continue? What happens when they make a mistake or go back?

A flow is drawn as a diagram: screen rectangles, decision diamonds, transition arrows – including alternative paths and errors. Such a diagram cheaply exposes problems: loops with no exit, redundant steps, missing states.

**Practical rule:** every step in a flow is a place where some users drop off. Shortening critical paths (purchase, registration, contact) is one of the most effective forms of conversion optimisation.

## Related services

- [ UX audits & UX/UI design → ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/services/ux-ui-ax/)

## Related terms

- [Conversion & conversion rate](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/conversion-rate/)
- [Information architecture](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/information-architecture/)
- [Wireframe](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/wireframe/)

## Want to know where your product loses users?

A UX audit ends with a prioritised list of fixes, each with a rationale. Scope and quote within a few days.

[ Get in touch ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/contact/?source=glossary-user-flow)