Microcopy: Elements of Compelling UX Writing
Words can have a powerful effect on users. Therefore, UX writing is an essential part of creating and delivering a desirable user experience. It’s important that your words do not create pain points for your users, effectively easing them out of the user journey. This guide discusses microcopy, offering best practices to help you write helpful and impactful copy for your digital products.
Why is Microcopy?
Microcopy consists of small bits of copy on products. Examples include the label on a CTA button and placeholder text in form input fields. Microcopy is available in all parts of product interfaces and often plays a big role in the user experience.
Users depend on microcopy to get cues on functionality. Therefore, they help to guide users, engage them, and create desirable experiences. It’s like placing helpful signposts or sweet guide dogs all over a park.
One neat example of the power of microcopy is when a user taps the Submit button of a form and the label changes to Sending. This is a small change, but in the mind of the user it signals progress. Seeing the same label change to Done only moments later makes the user feel like they have achieved an important goal – and they have! That’s the power of microcopy in informing, guiding, and delighting the user.
How to Improve Your Microcopy
To make your microcopy move big needles with users, here are a few tips from pro UX writers.
1 – Keep it Compact
Microcopy is supposed to guide the user from one stage to another in the user journey. It needs to be smooth and build a relationship with the user. It’s best to avoid using too many words and be straight to the point.
2 – Show Awareness
Users can smell empathy from a mile off. They’re human after all. Good microcopy shows an awareness of users’ needs and goals relative to where they are on the user journey. So, focus microcopy on where the user was before this point and where they’re likely to go next. Being mindful of the product and user goals and understanding how to accomplish these goals are attributes of good microcopy.
3 – Be Effective yet Charming
Good microcopy can be conversational and charming, instead of being just bland. Make it delightful and clever so it is more engaging, pleasurable, and effective.
Conclusion
Regardless of how long you’ve done UX writing or participated in the user experience design process, microcopy is an essential skill. Just knowing the how and why of your words can be the difference between a vanilla user experience and exotic ride through your digital product. Hey! Check out UILand for effective screens and user flows that support your product UX.
