Copywriting skills: 16 common UI copywriting mistakes

There are many techniques in copywriting design, and there are also many misunderstandings that should be avoided. Today, I have summarized 16 common misunderstandings in UI copywriting design to help you avoid detours.

In UI design, the expression of text content also requires designers to carefully consider and design it. Clear, accurate and concise copywriting design can make the interface more usable and build trust with users.

1. Try to avoid using colloquialisms and jargon

Unknown terms and slang will increase the user's cognitive load, so try to avoid using such words that users cannot recognize. Using common and easy-to-understand words can help users understand.

Here is a typical counterexample:

It's hard to tell whether this error message is intended for system administrators or office clerks.

2. Avoid long sentences with lots of details

In most interaction scenarios, there is no need for the interface to describe all the details. It makes more sense to gradually provide users with more information and details as they explore. So, when you provide information, you can do this:

• When providing information, ask yourself: Does the user have to know this right here and now?
• Try to provide short, quick and easy-to-access content. Even if it is long content, try to keep it within 30 words.

3. Try to use general tense to describe operations

Try to use present tense to describe various actions. Even if you are describing actions in the past or future, use short and direct verbs to describe them. However, in the Chinese context, this problem is usually not as serious as in English. For example, "Message has been sent" is not appropriate, "Message sent" is more appropriate. In Chinese, both mean "message sent", with little difference. Therefore, when designing non-Chinese content, more attention should be paid to this issue.

4. Don’t mix up “you” and “I”

Confusing references in interactions can make users quite confused. Since the UI often uses words such as "My Computer" and "My Account", using the phrase "Adjust your settings in My Account" in the prompt can confuse users. It is best to fine-tune to avoid this problem: "Adjust personal settings in My Account".

5. Try to use Arabic numerals to express quantities

This is also a common problem. Users perceive numbers faster, so it is more effective to use numbers instead of words. Compared with "You have three short messages" and "You have 3 short messages", it is obvious that the Arabic numerals in the latter are more efficient in conveying information.

6. Avoid using the pronoun "we"

When expressing content, the focus should be on users and what they can do with your app, rather than what you and your app are doing for them. The starting point of content expression is very important. Therefore, Facebook will not use "To help you get started faster, we will show you popular content on Facebook" when users log in for the first time. Instead, they will use "Why not start your journey with these popular Facebook content?" This is undoubtedly safer.

However, it is worth noting that there are exceptions to this. When users report problems, make suggestions or appeals to the system background, it is reasonable to use "we" in the context, such as "we will review your appeal and respond within a few days."

7. Avoid using all capital letters

Content written in all uppercase letters looks neater, but is less recognizable than lowercase letters. All-uppercase spelling significantly slows down the user's reading speed and overall experience. This is also a common problem in non-Chinese language contexts and should be avoided when making similar designs.

8. Don’t be too absolute

Don't use overly absolute statements, which will make users feel uncomfortable. "We will never send promotional emails" is not as good as "We will only send you important information", although the information they convey is almost the same.

9. Use exclamation marks with caution

Exclamation marks can make the copy seem too hysterical and easily make the atmosphere too tense. "Come and learn about the latest features of the APP!" This statement is a bit too much. Using a short phrase like "Welcome!" with an exclamation mark would be more consistent.

10. Avoid gender ambiguity

English is one of the few languages ​​that allows for gender ambiguity; many other languages, such as German, are less so. When you know the gender of the person, try to use accurate pronouns to avoid gender ambiguity.

11. Use short and direct statements

Reduce lengthy content to precise and direct statements to make the content and instructions easier for users to accept and understand. Try to avoid expressions such as "you must" or "based on the current situation." The statement "Do you want to save all changes?" should be shortened to "Save changes".

12. Remove “Are you sure?”

In most cases, this way of asking questions is actually of no value, so "Are you sure you want to delete this photo?" is better changed to "Delete this photo?", which is more concise.

13. Don’t use culturally specific terms

Language expressions in a specific culture are often difficult to be understood by the vast majority of users, and may even appear particularly inappropriate in many situations. The most typical ones are the derivative terms of various two-dimensional and games . If no one explains them, most users probably won’t understand the true meaning of the word GG, right? (Good Game, in competitive games, the loser types GG before quitting, which means admitting defeat and indirectly praising the other party for playing well. The winner types GG first with a slightly mocking meaning.)

14. Replace “OK” with more precise words

A good dialog box should have clear instructions. Although "OK" is understandable to users, you can choose more specific text when setting the dialog button content, which will be clearer and avoid errors. Compared to the combination of "confirm/cancel", is "remove/cancel" more clear in meaning?

15. Explain the error message accurately

Error reporting is a common function in UI, and it is also an important part of user experience that cannot be underestimated. When the user fills in an error, your error message should be consistent with the user's cognition and expressed in an easy-to-understand way:

• What went wrong and why
• What should the user do to correct the error?

16. Blame the User

If you want to keep your users, don't blame them when things go wrong. Focus on solving problems, not assigning blame.

When you prepare this type of message, avoid blaming the user for the error and focus on solving the problem. Taking filling out an email as an example, "You filled out the wrong email address" is not as good as "This email address may not be available, please make sure it is spelled correctly."

Mobile application product promotion service: APP promotion service Qinggua Media information flow

The author of this article @Nick Babich was compiled and published by (APP Top Promotion). Please indicate the author information and source when reprinting!