ux-writing

UX Writing

Write clear, helpful copy that guides users through your interface.

Core Principles

1. Clarity Over Cleverness

• Use simple, familiar words
• Avoid jargon and technical terms
• Say what you mean directly

2. Be Concise

• Cut unnecessary words
• One idea per sentence
• Front-load important information

3. Be Helpful

• Tell users what to do, not just what happened
• Provide next steps
• Reduce anxiety and uncertainty

Button Labels

Do

• Use action verbs: "Save," "Send," "Create"
• Be specific: "Add to Cart" not "Submit"
• Match user intent: "Sign up free"

Don't

• Generic: "OK," "Submit," "Continue"
• Vague: "Click here," "Go"
• Negative framing: "Don't cancel"

Examples

Instead of	Use
Submit	Send Message
OK	Got it
Continue	Next: Payment
Cancel	Keep Editing
Yes/No	Delete / Keep

Error Messages

Formula

What happened + Why + How to fix it

Examples

❌ "Error 404" ✅ "Page not found. Try searching or go back to the homepage."

❌ "Invalid input" ✅ "Please enter a valid email address (e.g., [email protected])"

❌ "Something went wrong" ✅ "We couldn't save your changes. Check your connection and try again."

Guidelines

• Be specific about the problem
• Avoid blame ("You entered...")
• Suggest a solution
• Use plain language, not error codes

Empty States

What to Include

1. What this space is for
2. Why it's empty
3. How to fill it

Examples

No search results "No results for 'xyz'. Try different keywords or check your spelling."

Empty inbox "No messages yet. When someone contacts you, you'll see it here."

First-time user "Your projects will appear here. Create your first project to get started."

Loading & Progress

Short waits (< 2 seconds)

Just show a spinner, no text needed

Medium waits (2-10 seconds)

"Loading your dashboard..." "Saving changes..."

Long waits (> 10 seconds)

"Processing your video. This usually takes 1-2 minutes." Show progress percentage when possible

Success Messages

Be Specific

❌ "Success!" ✅ "Your profile has been updated."

Confirm the Action

"Message sent to [email protected]" "Order #12345 confirmed. Shipping in 2-3 days."

Suggest Next Steps

"Password changed. You can now sign in with your new password."

Tooltips & Hints

When to Use

• Explain unfamiliar UI elements
• Provide context for actions
• Show keyboard shortcuts

Keep Them Short

• Under 150 characters
• One concept per tooltip
• No critical information (tooltips are hidden by default)

Onboarding Copy

Welcome Messages

• Acknowledge the milestone
• Set expectations
• Point to first action

Example: "Welcome to Acme! Let's set up your workspace in 3 quick steps."

Progressive Disclosure

• Don't explain everything at once
• Introduce features when relevant
• Use inline hints over tutorials

Voice & Tone Guidelines

Voice (Consistent)

• Friendly but professional
• Clear and direct
• Helpful and supportive

Tone (Varies by Context)

Situation	Tone
Success	Celebratory, warm
Error	Calm, helpful
Warning	Serious, clear
Onboarding	Encouraging, patient
Settings	Neutral, informative