Table of Contents
What is microcopy in writing?
A microcopy can be described as a concise, well-written copy on a particular interface in writing. It is the copy present on buttons, error pages, tooltips, and the instructions that facilitate the user’s interaction. The aim is to deliver the desired message precisely and to the point using a few words.
What is microcopy in UX?
Website microcopy in UX relates to the writing of concise text elements that are specifically designed to help users interact and understand the content of a user interface. These can be buttons, error text, tooltips, and pop-ups.
While effective microcopy plays a role in user experience, its impact can vary depending on various factors and implementation. Microcopy serves to facilitate actions, promote trust, and reinforce brand identity visually. It aims at explaining concepts, assisting users through complex tasks, and providing help during the process.
What are the main types of microcopy?
Consider the following main types of microcopy that help in user experience enhancement:
- Calls to action: Messages and button titles that feature a certain call for action from the user.
- Progress indicators: Messages about the loading or completion of actions/charts that keep the user updated.
- Contextual help: Design elements such as tooltips and hints that provide further information.
- Error feedback: Provide insightful and clear prompts outlining the nature of the mistake and suggesting corrective actions.
What are examples of microcopy to drive action?
Common examples of usage for microcopy include:
- “Please Sign Up”
- “Join Us”
- “Claim your discount here”
- “Buy it now”
- “Become a Fan”
What are examples of microcopy to show progress or status?
Examples of microcopy to show the progress of an activity are:
- “Submitting…”
- “Almost there!”
- “50% complete…”
- “Upload done”
- “Payment completed”
What are examples of microcopy for contextual help?
Microcopy can guide users with the following interactions:
- “This information is mandatory”
- “Your password must contain at least 8 characters”
- “Hover over the image to know more”
- “Learn more by clicking here”
- “Looking for assistance? Reach out to us.”
What are examples of microcopy for reducing friction?
Let’s take a closer look at the examples, which help reconcile the inconsistencies in a digital interaction.
- “Do you really want to remove this item?”
- “Your password has been successfully changed.”
- “You have been added to our mailing list.”
- “Try again, please.”
- “Please, enter a valid phone number.”
What are the best practices for writing effective microcopy?
Here is a short guidance on what to take into consideration when writing microcopies:
- Be clear: Stick to inclusive language.
- Be brief: Provide an answer in the shortest way possible.
- Offer help: Try to foresee any issues that the user may face and offer a solution.
- Add personality: Take on the voice and tone used in your brand.
- Be uniform: Use the same design style across the interface.
Are there any tools or resources that can help me with microcopy?
Yes! It suggested dedicating some time to reviewing tools and ideas online to get inspired by best practices.
For example:
- Microcopy libraries and examples: Search for examples of best practices over the web.
- User testing: Bring actual users into the process to improve it further.
- A/B testing: Test other variants to identify the best one.
- Collaboration: Ask UX writers & designers for help.
Conclusion
Within the field of UX, microcopy is an important component. It is about using as few words as possible to control how users think, act, and interact. Even these tiny vestiges of text should improve a digital product’s usability, effectiveness, and branding. When it comes to UX design, even the tiniest aspects of a design like microcopy prove to be quite useful.
