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Why UX Writing is Important for your next projects?

Writing is essential to communicate with the users. As social beings, we interact with machines when they display similarities to humans. It entices the users to engage with the interface and have a good user experience. UX writers deliver that experience by writing copies that guide users in their journey. 

Today, we will explore what UX writing is all about and why it is integral for organizations to have their own UX writer. 

What is UX Writing?

UX writing is the copy written for apps and websites. It helps users to navigate successfully throughout the interface. 

You may wonder, Isn’t that the job for UI/UX designers anyways? True. Small to medium-sized businesses delegate that responsibility to their UX designers as well. But large enterprises hire UX writers for specific product lines. 

It may sound like a simple job, but writing is a skill that requires some practice and expertise. And having a UX writer ensures well-written copies for a pleasurable user experience. 

Why is UX Writing vital for user experience?

Just like having teachers explain complex subjects in a simple manner, a UX writer illustrates how to navigate through a complex app with ease. UX writing empathizes with the users and offers a human connection that keeps users engaged with the app or website. 

UX writers do a great job constructing simple messages that everyone can follow. It would be baffling for an average user when encountering an error message that says, “protocol error (code: 0x112f)” It leaves them lost in translation, and we cannot expect them to know what those terms mean.

However, a UX writer writes that message instead like this, “Your session will be disconnected. Please try connecting to the computer again.” How about that? Now, it sounds simple and understood by anyone. And that is where UX writing plays a vital role in displaying well-understood copies throughout the user interface. 

UX Writer versus a Copywriter

Now, you may be wondering, A UX writer is typically a copywriter, right? In reality, a UX writer can be a copywriter. And a copywriter can be a UX writer. Because the primary function is to write quality copies, and they both mastered that trade. 

However, some differences separate both a UX Writer and a Copywriter. Let us break down the differences:

Department: UX writers work with the UX design or Product teams whereas, Copywriters work with the Marketing team.

Purpose: UX writers write to make the product easy to use and enjoyable whereas, Copywriters write to sell the product. 

Approach: UX writers write copies that share conversations with the user whereas, Copywriters use the art of storytelling to promote the product. 

Writing style: UX writers have to use clear and concise texts whereas, Copywriters can use attractive words and give broader explanations. 

Copy length: UX writers have less space to work with, so they have to make their words count whereas, Copywriters can write more words.

Involvement: UX writers have to work closely with the project team whereas, Copywriters can work alone and join the project at any stage.

Now that we have cleared up the differences between a UX Writer and a Copywriter, let us go through some principles to keep in mind when writing UX copies. 

How to write a good UX copy

UX writing is simple once you understand how to do it. And here are a few tips to jot down in your notes for writing a good microcopy:

  • Be clear and concise 

Users want clarity, so use simple words and be straightforward with them. It is essential to get to the point without beating around the bush. In addition, avoid jargon and technical terms unless it is relevant in your industry. 

Moreover, avoid using large blocks of text and use numerals for numbers instead of words. As a result, it makes your copy scannable and easy to interpret for users.

  • Be helpful

Whenever a user goes through a bad experience like not getting a ride or having errors in payment, we have to empathize with them. In these situations, we have to write constructively and be careful with the words we use. 

Educate the user about the outcome in the same way as consoling a friend and provide them options to solve the problem. Avoid double negatives in your call-to-action options and encourage them to stay in your interface.

  • Be conversational

Voice-first technologies such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home have impacted many households. Why is that? Because UX writers write these voice texts using conversational language. 

As UX writers, your role is to share conversations with the users and guide them throughout your interface. Hence, it is essential to write as you talk to another human being by adding some personality. On top of that, ensure to use an active voice. Users could easily get bored reading passive texts.

  • Have a consistent brand voice

The texts you write should reflect on your brand. If you are writing for a beauty apparel app, it should have an elegant voice and emphasizes luxury. And if you are writing for a dating app, it should have a friendly and enthusiastic voice that motivates your user to pair with a partner. Always ensure the brand voice caters to your target audience. 

And most importantly, always keep it consistent. Just like humans, when we see messages all bright and energetic on one screen, but then all dull on another, we feel something is off about the app. Therefore, it is crucial to stay consistent with your voice whenever writing UX copies for specific apps or websites.

Final thoughts on UX Writing…

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UX writing is here to stay. Presently, there are demands for UX writers out there. Employers are looking for writers with vast experience in UX design and can write efficient copies. 

For apps and websites to continually offer a pleasurable user experience, they require UX writers who can craft those messages and guide users throughout their UX journey. 

It is not too late to start a UX writing career now, and do not underestimate how valuable this skill is in a thriving technological era. Take that pen and paper and start writing today.

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