UX writing is about writing clear text for digital websites, apps, and products to guide users. With over 25 years of experience in UX design, it is only natural that at WS Interactive we also focus on good content writing. UX writing is a formal approach to ensuring that your content is aligned with user intent and expectations.
We believe there is a big need for UX writers, so whether you are a client wanting to improve your website copy, or someone looking to develop a career in UX writing, these tips will help you identify the difference between good content and great content!
What is UX Writing?
UX writing is the art of writing user friendly text within digital products, focusing on user experience. It’s about writing clear and concise messages that guide users through their interactions with a product so they know what to do next. In the context of digital products, the meaning of ‘UX writing’ refers to the specialized process of designing words that help users navigate and interact with interfaces effectively.
A good example of UX writing is:
Your account has been locked after multiple failed login attempts
To regain access you need to reset your password
Follow the instructions below.
This message is clear and reassuring unlike a simple ‘Account error’ which leaves the user confused and frustrated.
The essence of UX writing is to avoid complex language so that it’s clear and accessible to all users. It’s about making the digital world more intuitive and less scary. Focusing on the user’s needs and crafting easy to understand messages, UX writers make the overall user experience better. The practice of UX writing is a systematic approach to creating user centered content that guides, informs and builds trust within digital products.
Why UX Writing is Important
The goal of UX writing is to be clear and usable for a seamless user experience. Writing text in digital products guides users through their interactions. Every piece of text, whether a button label, error message or confirmation prompt plays a role in user interaction. Bad UX writing can lead to confusion and frustration and users will leave the app or switch to competitors.
Unlike other types of writing like technical documentation or marketing copy, UX writing is unique in guiding users and enhancing their interaction with digital products. Clear information, logical flow and empathy through words are the three pillars of good UX writing. While traditional copywriting tries to persuade or sell, UX writing helps users navigate and understand products. Each of these contributes to a good user experience so users can navigate interfaces and understand products better.
Great UX writing is not a one time effort; it requires ongoing testing and refinement based on user review feedback and request feedback to make changes.
Clear Information
Good UX writing makes interactions more intuitive. Key points are:
- Providing information at different stages of a user’s journey to help them complete a task.
- Using clear and concise microcopy to reduce cognitive load and simplify users’ understanding of what to do next.
- Using action oriented language in microcopy to motivate users to take specific actions during their tasks.
Clear microcopy helps users get information quickly, reduces frustration and enhances their experience. Concise language minimizes cognitive load and aids information retention.
Providing the right information at each stage reassures users and guides them through their interactions with the digital product.
Logical Flow and Guidance
Good UX writing structures content logically so users can follow processes easily. Clear instructions enable users to progress through tasks without feeling overwhelmed. For example clear microcopy reduces user errors and increases task completion rates.
UX writers have to create content that helps users navigate through a product. Minimizing confusion through clear UX writing encourages users to follow through with their intended actions and can persuade users to engage more. To do this writers have to convince users to write content that is both engaging and informative.
A well structured content strategy ensures users can continue their journey without unnecessary roadblocks and ultimately improves the overall user experience.
Empathy Through Words
Empathy in UX writing creates a connection between the user and the digital product. Addressing user frustration reduces roadblocks and increases satisfaction. Celebrating user successes through positive and reinforcing language in UX writing makes users feel achieved and encourages them to continue.
Empathetic language in UX writing improves the overall user experience and builds trust. Words that make users feel understood and supported creates a stronger bond between the product and its users.
Core Responsibilities of a UX Writer
Core responsibilities of a UX writer are:
- Writing interface text
- Creating style guides
- Participating in UX research
- Working with product teams
- Ensuring inclusivity and readabilityA person interacts with digital products through various touchpoints like notifications, forms and voice assistants.
Clear and concise text is key in UX writing. Error messages should be written in a friendly tone to improve user experience like ‘Oops! That password doesn’t match. Try again’.
UX writers review screen designs and suggest improvements for clarity so the text helps users navigate through digital products. Researchers ensure users get the right information at the right time in their interaction with the product.
Writing UI Text
UX writers must ensure information is relevant to each stage of the user’s journey. Tools like Hemingway can help writers simplify their text making it more accessible to users.
Writing clear and concise UI text helps users navigate digital products smoothly and efficiently. Users get the right information at the right time and that enhances the overall experience.
Creating Style Guides
A well defined style guide is crucial to enforce consistency in voice and tone throughout the user interface for the organization. At this point terminology, tone, structure and form should be the same across the product to create a cohesive user experience.
UX writers ensure consistency by creating and maintaining style guides. These guides reinforce a consistent tone and terminology that enhances user interaction.
Working with Teams
Good UX writing involves active participation and communication with cross functional teams to align on user experience goals. With product teams UX writers work with UX designers, product managers and engineers.
Building relationships with cross functional teams ensures user centered design and supports business objectives. Using empathetic language in UX writing can create a stronger bond between the product and the users and enhance their experience.
What is Microcopy
Microcopy refers to small functional text in user interfaces like button labels, error messages and confirmation messages related to copywriting. It guides users through their interactions, shapes the overall experience, prevents frustration and reinforces the brand voice. Good microcopy can make users complete actions or abandon processes.
To make it more usable UX writers should avoid complexity by using simple language. Error messages should convey helpful and reassuring information to the user, build trust and confidence in the product.
Clarity and Conciseness
Clear and concise language is key to good UX writing so users can understand the important information quickly. Microcopy like button labels and tooltips helps users navigate through their interactions and prevents confusion.Using same terminology across microcopy helps to reinforce understanding and reduce user error. Testing and iterating UX content with real users is crucial to make it clear and usable.
Actionable Language
The purpose of using actionable language in UX writing is to tell users what to do next. Actionable language is important as it helps users navigate through their tasks and understand what to do.
The process of writing UI text includes creating clear instructions, labels and messages that guide users. By writing clear instructions and actionable labels UX writers ensure users can complete their tasks efficiently.
Error Messages and Feedback
Error messages are part of user interfaces and play a big role in guiding users through complex interactions. When users encounter an error a well written message can reassure them, provide context and offer a clear path to resolution. Good error messages do more than just point out the problem; they convince users the system is still usable and accessible even when something goes wrong.
To write helpful error messages UX writers must consider the user’s context, the type of error and the action the user needs to take next. A clear and concise message that explains what happened and how to fix it can restore user confidence and prevent frustration. For example instead of a vague “Error 404” a message like “We couldn’t find that page. Please check the URL or go back to the homepage” gives users context and a clear action.
Researchers have found that poorly designed error messages can erode trust and make users abandon a site or app. In contrast, messages that are empathetic and actionable help reassure users and improve their overall experience. By focusing on clarity, context and guidance UX writers can create error messages that not only solve the immediate problem but also build long term trust and confidence in the product.
Tone and Voice
Tone and voice are key to good UX writing, how users perceive and interact with a website or app. The right tone can reassure users, build confidence and establish authority while the wrong tone can confuse or even mistrust. Writers must consider the user’s emotional state and the context of each interaction when writing content.Same tone and voice helps guide users through their journey and makes the experience feel cohesive and trustworthy. For example a friendly tone can make error messages less scary and a confident tone can make users feel secure when doing important actions. Writers should align the tone and voice with the brand’s personality so every piece of content—from onboarding screens to confirmation messages—feels familiar and reliable.
By paying attention to tone and voice UX writers can create content that not only guides users but also builds long term trust and loyalty. This is important for both websites and apps where every word counts in the user experience.
Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs) tell the user what to do next. Whether it’s:
- Contacting the company
- Adding items to the cart
- Getting a quote
Clear CTAs guide the user to their goals. Having only one choice (one CTA) is often the best result, depending on the placement.
Multiple CTAs can cause UX disruption and make it hard for users to know where to go next on a page or site. Clarity and focus in CTAs improves user engagement and conversion rates.
Consistency in Terminology
Consistent terminology in microcopy helps create a predictable user experience and comprehension. Keeping terminology consistent across a platform ensures users don’t get confused by different jargon or terms.
Style guides are reference documents that dictate tone, terminology and formatting for a consistent user experience. Having a consistent voice and tone across product interfaces builds user familiarity and trust.
UX Writing for Different Platforms
Adapting UX writing for different platforms is crucial for a seamless and effective user experience. Each platform—whether it’s a website, mobile app or voice-activated tool—has its own characteristics, limitations and user expectations. UX writers must develop a content strategy that addresses these specific needs so content is usable and accessible.
For mobile apps concise and clear language is key as users interact on smaller screens and in varied contexts. Websites can have more detailed explanations but clarity and directness is important to keep users engaged. Voice interfaces require a conversational tone and clear prompts as users rely solely on spoken instructions and feedback.Writers should always consider where users are accessing the platform, including navigation, accessibility and device capabilities. By adapting content to each platform UX writers can improve usability, engagement and help users achieve their goals faster. Staying up to date with best practices and trends in UX writing means content remains relevant, effective and inclusive for all users.
UX Writing Tools and Resources
There are many tools for UX writers to improve their skills and stay informed about the latest industry practices. AI tools can help UX writers by:
- Streamlining brainstorming
- Generating ideas at scale
- Structuring information
- Creating templates for their projects When used well AI can be a big help to UX writers.
Courses often cover topics like user research, content strategy and writing techniques. A course in online certifications allows flexibility to learn while managing other commitments.
Writing Tools
ChatGPT is being used by writers to draft content and improve productivity. Notion is a favourite platform for UX writers to organise their projects due to its user friendly interface and content management capabilities.
Canva is a great tool for creating visually appealing designs so is useful for UX writers who need to include visuals in their content. Using these software can greatly improve UX writing tasks.
Research Resources
Books on content strategy can provide valuable insights into UX writing techniques. Online platforms and communities are additional resources for continuous learning and networking. Access to data and research resources helps UX writers stay informed and improve their content strategies.
Using these resources helps UX writers improve their skills and stay up to date with industry practices so they can learn and improve.
Career Path in UX Writing
The career levels for UX writers range from entry to director. Industries hiring UX writers include tech, finance, healthcare and e-commerce. Big companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft and Apple are major employers for UX writers. Other notable companies are Amazon, Airbnb, Spotify and Uber.
Job ads for UX writers are found on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. The market for UX writing has grown significantly. Companies are recognising the importance of user friendly content.
Job Market Trends
The demand for UX writers is growing as companies are recognising the importance of user centric content. In Europe there is a noticeable presence of entry level content design roles, so opportunities outside the US market. Mid-level and senior UX writing roles are becoming more specialized, requiring skills in accessibility and design systems.
Smaller specialist businesses are more likely to hire entry level UX writers than big tech companies. This means there are opportunities for UX writers at all career stages, so it’s a great time to get in.
Testing and Iterating UX Content
Content testing shows how users understand and interact with digital content, revealing usability issues and areas for improvement. Good content testing promotes a culture of evidence based decision making so teams can justify content decisions with data. Testing should start early in the design process to test terminology and language that resonates with users.
Getting customers involved in usability testing is crucial to ensure the product is user friendly, meets their needs and provides a delightful experience.
Quantitative testing, such as A/B testing, measures performance metrics like click through rates, while qualitative methods explore user perceptions and analyse results. User interviews and highlighter testing are great ways to qualitatively understand user reactions to content.
Measuring the Success of UX Writing
Understanding the impact of UX writing is key to refining content strategy and improving the user experience. UX writers can measure success by looking at data like click through rates, time on page and direct user feedback. These metrics give valuable insights into how users are interacting with content and where to improve.In addition to quantitative data, user research, usability testing and A/B testing allows writers to dig deeper into user behaviour and preferences. By analysing these results writers can see which messages resonate, where confusion occurs and how content changes affect user trust and engagement.
Regularly measuring and reviewing UX writing helps organisations reassure users, build trust and drive better business outcomes. It also enables writers to make informed, data driven decisions to continually improve clarity, accessibility and overall quality of content. This is an essential part of any content strategy.
AI in UX Writing
AI tools can assist UX writers by offering suggestions and generating content quickly. The primary role of a UX writer when using AI tools is to provide context and instructions for generating good content. Good prompts and context are key for AI language models to produce good output.
AI tools should complement the UX writing process rather than replace the human touch and context that writers bring. The nuance of language that UX writers have gives them an advantage when using AI in their workflows.
How to Get Started in UX Writing
Building a strong portfolio is key to getting into UX writing, showcasing your skills and projects. Some recommended tools for organising and creating UX writing portfolios are:
- Notion: Frequently recommended for UX writing portfolios due to its user friendly interface.
- Canva: Recently added website creation features, so users can create visually appealing portfolios.
- Adobe Portfolio: Integrates with Creative Cloud, so a versatile option for showcasing UX writing work.
Key to getting into UX writing is building a strong portfolio, learning design principles and networking. The UX writing industry has supported thousands of newcomers, helping them get in and grow their skills.
Courses and Certifications
The UX Content Collective offers courses specifically for newcomers and seasoned UX writers. Online platforms like UX Writing Academy offer courses and workshops for aspiring UX writers. Books on UX writing cover essential principles and case studies to deepen a writer’s understanding of user experience.
Getting involved with UX writing communities online can provide support and additional resources for continuous learning and networking. Certifications don’t guarantee a job but can provide a baseline of essential skills for aspiring UX writers entering the industry. More important than certifications are skills, work history, attitude, problem solving abilities and a strong portfolio.
Conclusion
UX writing is a craft that ensures users have a smooth and intuitive experience with digital products. By focusing on clarity, flow and empathy UX writers can increase user satisfaction and engagement. The role of a UX writer goes beyond writing; it involves creating style guides, working with teams and continuously testing and iterating content to meet user needs.
As the demand for UX writers grows so do the opportunities and rewards in this field. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance your career, building a strong portfolio, acquiring relevant skills and staying up to date with industry practices are key. With the right approach and resources you can succeed in the dynamic and rewarding world of UX writing.
Key Takeaways
- UX writing is about writing clear and concise text that helps users through digital interactions.
- Good UX writing is built on three pillars: clear information, logical flow and empathy towards users.
- Demand for UX writers is growing with opportunities across industries and salaries increasing as user centered content becomes more important.