UX Writing and Microcopy
UX writing crafts the words within digital products — buttons, error messages, onboarding flows, tooltips, and form labels. Microcopy refers specifically to short, functional text that guides users through interactions. Good UX writing is invisible — it feels natural and effortless; bad UX writing creates friction, confusion, and frustration that increases drop-off and support requests.
UX Writing Principles
- Clarity over cleverness: functional interface copy should be immediately understood — never sacrifice clarity for brand personality
- User language: use the words your users use to describe their tasks, not internal jargon
- Action-oriented: button labels should describe the action that will result — "Send Message" beats "Submit"
- Contextual: write copy for the specific context — a user halfway through checkout needs different messaging than a first-time visitor
- Inclusive language: avoid gender-specific terms, idiomatic expressions that don't translate across cultures
Common UX Copy Failures
- Vague error messages: "Something went wrong" — unhelpful. Explain what happened and what to do next.
- Threatening empty states: "No data found" — uninviting. Explain what the section is for and how to get started.
- Jargon in onboarding: technical terms before users understand the product create early drop-off
- Passive voice: "Your order has been placed" — weaker than "We've got your order"