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UX Writing: 10 Simple yet Impactful Tips

First things first: UX stands for User Experience. So, the goal of UX writing is to enhance the user experience of websites, apps, and other digital products. UX writers craft microcopy for buttons, error messages, notifications, headlines, and more. Most often, UX writing is a matter of logical thinking – like avoiding bug chunks of text. But there are also some useful writing tips. Let’s take a closer look at each one…

1. Be consistent & concise

Being consistent, means using the same wordings everywhere. This goes for product names, menu titles, actions, and even point of views. Referring to the user in both the second and the first person within one phrase, is not only confusing. It’s a no-go.

Don’t write

Change your profile picture in My Account

Do write

Change your profile picture in Your Account

Being concise, means choosing your words wisely. Each word has its purpose. So, when you write something, you should write it as efficiently as possible.

Don’t write

You must tap to add the item

Do write

Tap to add the item

2. Start with the objective

Users focus most of their attention on the beginnings of sentences. Also, they’re generally reluctant to make any effort… unless there’s something in it for them. Want to get users to do something? Start with the benefit before describing the action.

Don’t write

Register to receive deals

Do write

To receive deals, register

3. Be specific

There’s no use in keeping things fluffy. When naming interactive elements, like buttons, opt for meaningful verbs, rather than vague or empty ones.

Don’t write

Enable

Do write

Turn on

4. Avoid jargon

Use simple language instead of technical terms, especially when it comes to error messages. Tell exactly what the problem is and what steps the user needs to take to solve it. Use positive wording and don’t blame the user.

Don’t write

System error (code #7820): invalid password

Do write

Sign-up error: choose a password with at least 6 numbers or letters

5. Use the active voice

The passive voice is not only lengthy and unnecessarily complex… it’s also boring. The active voice is direct, concise and much more clear.

Don’t write

The item must be tapped to add it

Do write

Tap to add the item

6. Use numerals

Not only do numerals save you a few characters, they also stand out. An EyeTracking study, conducted by NNG Group, revealed that numerals often stop the wandering eye and attract fixations of online readers – even when they’re embedded within a mass of words that users otherwise ignore.

Don’t write

Number of items in your Cart: zero

Do write

Number of items in your Cart: 0

7. Keep the platform in mind

Always ask yourself what user platform you’re crafting UX copy for. Is it for an app? Then don’t write “click”, write “tap” instead – since users will interact with your copy through their tablet or smartphone.

8. Think twice about word puns

Humor is subjective and not suitable in every situation. Keep in mind that users will encounter the same screen twice. And word puns are rarely funny the second time… or even the first time, in case the user encountered an error.

9. Avoid unnecessary punctuation

The Material Design Style guide advises avoiding unnecessary punctuation, such as periods, in copy for labels, hover text, bulleted lists, dialog body text, or colons after labels. Moreover, periods can subconsciously be a stopping point– and we rather want users to continue reading or scanning the copy, right?

Don’t write

Message sent.

Do write

Message sent

10. A/B test interactive elements

Whenever possible, it’s smart to do some A/B testing the copy of interactive elements, like buttons. By looking at the number of generated clicks, you can easily determine the best performing version of a call-to-action (CTA) copy.

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