Enabling your user base to interact with every feature on your app or website is essential for good user experience (UX) and positive public reception. Whether you focus on iOS or Android development, eCommerce platforms or SAAS websites, written UX elements present on the final product matter quite a bit. According to Top Tal, 88% of consumers are less likely to return to a website or service after a bad initial experience.
Data published by Impact BND also suggests that 79% will actively search for a different, similar (competitive) product to finish the intended task or purchase. This shows a resounding necessity to pay close attention not only to web design but UX writing which follows it. How can you make your UX writing more user-friendly and appealing to a mass global audience in 2020? Let’s take a closer look.
Why User-Friendly UX Writing Matters
What is user experience? According to Interaction Design, UX can be defined as a process of creating meaningful and relevant experiences for the users of your product. Whether you target millennials, the elderly, or a niche group of likeminded individuals that share a certain lifestyle, your UX writing should reflect that goal. Neightan White, Blogger and Contributing Writer at Supreme Dissertations, said that: “A website or app without user-centric UI writing won’t bode well long-term. While you may achieve initial success post-launch, word of mouth will quickly spread about how good or bad your overall UX really is. Pair your design choices and business model with smart, appealing UX writing which will help seal the deal for your product going forward.”
There is a plethora of advantages to be had from implementing user-friendly UX writing into your website or app, regardless of the target audience. If we were to break them down, the list would include but not be limited to:
- Facilitate clear, concise and fast communication
- Elevated website or app accessibility, even for non-native speakers
- Build your industry reputation and awareness as a user-friendly brand
- Enable users to browse, interact and advocate for your product
- Gain more traffic and customers with pro-consumer UX
User-Friendly UX Writing Tips
- Adopt a Persona
In order to focus your communication as much as possible, it’s good practice to adopt a relatable persona in your UX writing. A persona represents a particular writing style you will use throughout the app, eCommerce platform or other types of website depending on your needs. If you are a solo entrepreneur or blogger, your persona can be singular (me, myself) – otherwise, the persona you use can become plural (us, we). This will add to the appeal of your UX writing and paint a more humane, pro-user image of your platform.
- Personalized Pronouns Matter
Continuing the trend of personalization, personal pronouns in regards to your user base matter quite a bit. Don’t treat your users as a lump of customers or a mass of people who digest/purchase content you provide. Instead, look at each user as an individual and address them as such (you, yourself). You can achieve great success by combining “us” and “you” in the same UX writing element or call to action, making the user your equal. Try to make the user feel unique and appreciated for using your platform or app in the sea of competitive brand designs – use personal pronouns.
- Rely on KISS Methodology
UX writing extends to UI elements as much as it involves navigation of your website or app. To that end, your user-friendly writing should be as simple, short and informative as possible. For example “Create a post right now” should become “Create post”. Use combinations of keywords related to your industry with understandable verbs. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) is a great writing methodology to rely on in regards to UX writing due to its focus on legibility. Combined with writing tools such as Trust My Paper, Evernote and Best Essays Education, KISS can become your go-to method of writing, editing and formatting.
- Focus on Established Wording
Chances are that laymen and casual tech users will come across your platform or application and give it a try. Balancing your UX to appeal to niche experts and occasional visitors is tricky, which is why targeting lowest common denominators may be for the best. Regardless of whether you develop IT-related SAAS or a simple blog website, use established, widely-used wording and phrases. You can go a step further and consult Google Keyword Planner to choose which words are hot topics in your industry to improve your SEO. Don’t try to act smart and unique when it comes to UX – it is pivotal that your UI elements and navigation are easily understood throughout.
- Avoid FOMO in UX Writing
While you should ensure that users have a clear path from landing page, through product/service categories, to checkout – FOMO should be left out of UX. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a marketing trend best employed in terms of popups, banner ads, email marketing and other sales-centric content – not UX. As such, your UX writing should be professional, courteous and inviting, instead of urgent, alarming and panic-inducing. Avoid capitalized lettering, exclamation points, countdown timers and bold percentages in your UX elements. Make a clear distinction between your navigational and UI elements and sales-oriented ads to appeal to your visitors in a more user-friendly way.
- Lists, Points and Numbers
Although not strictly part of UI writing, your landing page can contain several beneficial UX elements which will boost your product’s or app’s appeal. Going back to eCommerce and their product pages, your landing page can contain bulleted lists and numeric information about social proof content or sales numbers. Likewise, if you operate as a SAAS platform, you can list features and benefits as bulleted UX writing on the landing page. The same rule applies for blogs and new blog posts, or user testimonials on an eCommerce platform. Lists and numbered information works well in regards to user-friendly UX as it is clearly understandable and quick to read.
- Spark Action via CTA
Lastly, UX writing is all about “invitation” and “action”. We’ve touched on the concept of calls to action (CTA), so let’s expand on it further. Calls to action are short, action-oriented phrases which address the user directly in hopes of encouraging a certain “action”. This can be anything from directing a user toward a featured sales campaign, a subscription or a blog section depending on your website or app. CTA typically take the form of “Call us now” or “I’m eagerly waiting for your order” – so, user-friendly and inviting, not authoritarian. Combine CTA with a previously determined persona and your UX writing will spark new life in your site or app going forward.
Appeal over Demand (Conclusion)
Writing user-friendly UX copy is all about balancing friendliness with sales – after all, your site’s or app’s visitors are only a step away from the purchase. Use the advantage of the home field to appeal to their humanity and emotions rather than bombard them with FOMO ads or mandatory registration fields. Place the agency in their hands and allow them to make an informed decision on whether or not to convert into subs and customers. The trust and professionalism you establish as a prerogative will return in spades, and you will know that your UX writing worked its magic well.
Kristin Savage is a Content Creator and Editor at Top Essay Writing and Classy Essay writing services. Her career portfolio consists of case studies, articles and research on multiple industries related to digital marketing. Whether you need to buy a research paper or have a digital marketing trend in need of exploration, Kristin is happy to assist. In her spare time, Kristin likes to relax with a good book and some classical music to boot.
