Laws of UX
Goal-Gradient Effect
Motivation increases as you approach a goal. Progress bars, step counters, and 'almost there' messaging accelerate completion. Loyalty cards that start pre-stamped outperform empty ones.
In plain terms
The closer people feel to a goal, the harder they push — so show them how near the finish they are.
Why this matters
Showing people how close they are to done keeps them motivated to finish, which helps any multi-step process — and reassures users who'd otherwise abandon a long, opaque flow.