9 Tips for better UX writing

Introduction

You're a talented writer. But when it comes to user experience (UX) writing, you may be feeling lost. Don't worry, you're not alone. Many people find the transition from regular writing to UX writing difficult. The good news is that with a little practice, you can become a pro at UX writing.

In this article, we'll give you nine tips to help you improve your UX writing skills. Follow these tips, and you'll be churning out high-quality UX content like a pro in no time!

1. Keep It Simple and Straightforward

When it comes to UX writing, keep it simple and straightforward. Remember, you're not writing for yourself—you're writing for your users. So make sure your words are easy to understand and jargon-free.

Use simple language and short sentences, and avoid clunky phrases. Break things down into easy-to-digest chunks, and always put yourself in your users' shoes. What would they need to know in order to complete the task at hand? That's what you need to focus on.

2. Use Positive and Active Language

When you're writing for the user, it's important to use positive and active language. Don't tell them what they can't do, or what they should avoid. Instead, focus on what they can do, and how your product or service can help them.

Make it easy for them to understand how your product works and how they can use it. Use clear and concise language, and avoid jargon and technical terms whenever possible. If you must use them, make sure to explain them in plain English.

The user is the most important person in the equation, so make sure your writing puts them first.

3. Be Clear and Concise

When you're writing for UX, clarity, and conciseness is key. Remember, you're not writing for yourself—you're writing for your users. So make your words easy to understand.

Use simple language and short sentences. Break your text up into manageable chunks, and use headings and subheadings to help readers scan for the information they need.

And most importantly, avoid jargon and technical terms. Your users shouldn't have to guess what you're trying to say. If they can't understand your words, they won't be able to use your product or service.

4. Use Consistent Terminology

One way to make your writing more user-friendly is to use consistent terminology throughout your site or app. This means using the same words to describe the same things in different parts of your user interface.

For example, if you have a button that says “Add to cart” on one page, don’t call it “Add to basket” on another page. Or if you have a feature called “My Feed”, don’t refer to it as “The News Feed” in another part of your app.

Using consistent terminology makes it easier for users to understand what they’re supposed to do, and reduces confusion. So take a look through your site or app and make sure you’re using the same terms to describe similar concepts throughout.

5. Write for Your Audience

One thing to always keep in mind is who your audience is. Are you writing for technical experts or laypeople? The language you use should be appropriate for your audience.

If you're writing for a general audience, keep your language simple and easy to understand. Use short sentences and avoid jargon. Remember, you want your content to be accessible to as many people as possible.

On the other hand, if you're writing for a more technical audience, you can afford to be more specific and use more technical language. This is where jargon can be useful, as long as you explain what it means. The important thing is to make sure your audience knows what you're talking about.

6. Consider the Tone

When you're writing for UX, it's important to consider the tone of your writing. After all, the tone of your writing will have a big impact on how users perceive your brand.

There are a few things to keep in mind when considering the tone of your UX writing:

• First, think about the overall tone of your website or app. Is it playful or serious? Formal or informal? The tone of your UX writing should match the overall tone of your site.

• Second, think about your audience. Who are you writing for? What kind of language do they respond to?

• Finally, think about the specific context in which users will be reading your words. For example, if you're writing an error message, you'll want to use a different tone than if you're writing a call-to-action.

Keep these things in mind as you write, and you'll be on your way to creating better UX for your users.

7. Use Plain Language

No one wants to feel like they need a dictionary to understand your writing, so use plain language whenever possible. This doesn’t mean dumbing down your content, but rather using words that are easy to understand.

One way to do this is to avoid using jargon, or industry-specific terms. For example, if you’re writing for a healthcare app, you might want to avoid using terms like “provider” or “patient”. Instead, opt for more neutral terms like “doctor” or “user”.

Remember that not everyone is as familiar with your industry as you are, so make an effort to use language that is easy to understand.

8. Avoid Jargon

Jargon is words, phrases, and slang that are specific to a certain industry, field, or group of people. It’s the kind of language that only insiders understand.

And while it might be tempting to use jargon to sound like an expert, or to make your writing seem more “official”, it’s important to remember that your goal as a UX writer is to communicate clearly and concisely. And jargon just gets in the way of that.

Not only that but using jargon can alienate your users. If they can’t understand what you’re saying, they’re not going to stick around for long.

So, how can you avoid using jargon in your UX writing? First, take a step back and think about who your users are and what level of understanding they have. Then, choose your words carefully. And if you’re ever unsure, err on the side of simplicity.

9. Edit and Proofread Your Work

You've written your UX copy, and you're pretty happy with it. But before you publish it, there's one more important step: editing and proofreading.

It's easy to overlook errors in your own writing, so it's always a good idea to have someone else take a look at your work before you hit publish. If you can't find someone to do a full edit, ask a friend or colleague to proofread your work for grammar mistakes and typos.

Once your copy is error-free, take one more look at it to make sure it's clear and easy to understand. If it's not, revise it until it is. Remember, the goal of UX writing is to help users accomplish their goals, so clarity is key.

If you follow these tips, you'll be well on your way to writing great UX copy that users will love.

Conclusion

In sum, these nine tips should help you produce better UX writing that engages and delights your users. Just remember that your writing is only a part of the user experience. Good UX design combines many disciplines, so don’t forget the importance of working closely with your UX designer counterparts. And happy writing!