UX Writing: How to Be More Human & Increase Site Conversions

July 11, 2019 –

1. Base your copy on research

Talk to your target group. Visit relevant forums or blogs. Write down what words are being used, which questions people ask, etc. Use these insights to talk to leads in their own language.Leads drop out of the different stages of your funnel because they get bored, don’t understand what you are doing, or don’t see the benefits of continuing.
4. IterateWrite a phrase and leave it as it is. Then come back to it later.Imagine that just changing one word would increase conversions.

What is UX Writing?

Because UX Writing is inherently more human. Since the target is to either make leads interact and understand an application through the dry, mechanistic medium of its interface, or to engage, activate and retain prospects by presenting the right action nudges at the right time, UX writing can’t afford to throw words at a wall, and hope some stick.3. Be clear

You will often find landing pages full of buzzwords and vague promises.The thought process behind it: If it sounds complex, people will think it’s sophisticated.Here is an example: MailChimp likes to use humour in their copy. At the end of their sign-up process, they put an interesting spin on the captcha confirmation by letting users “Confirm Humanity”. That way, leads are entertained, eager to continue and less likely to drop out.Here is the truth about conversion rates: It’s hard to keep leads interested throughout the whole funnel.
Experienced UX writers come back to their content multiple times to rewrite it with new perspectives. They then A/B test their output.

Research shows that the opposite is the case. According to Christopher Trudeau from the Thomas M Cooley Law School Michigan, 80% of people prefer clear English in complex legal documents.

Why is UX Writing So Important?

To sum it up, you should:
UX writers think about the entire product when crafting their copy.
Take the voice of your brand into consideration. For example, if your tone of voice is humorous, take note of insider jokes.
“Changing the copy on a button can make the difference of whether someone clicks or not, which can translate into millions of dollars.”
– Roxanna Aliaga, UX Writing Manager at Dropbox

How to Craft UX Copy: Practical UX Writing Tips

Nowadays, most big companies use UX writers, be it AirBnB, Dropbox or Facebook. Why is that?Break down complicated concepts. Be specific instead of vague.
As a marketer, you often feel stuck. You found the perfect message, yet are performing below expectations.
In other words: While many traditional copywriters just think about increasing conversions for particular pages, UX writers think about how they can convert, activate and retain the user.

What does “UX Writing” mean?First, let’s understand the term “UX”. User Experience (UX) Design is the process of creating a product that is delightful to interact with.
In the following, you will get practical UX writing advice that you can implement today.A study by the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh showed that changing the phrase “a 5$ fee to “a small 5$ fee” increased sign-ups to a DVD program by 20%.Being mindful in your writing will make a big difference for your success. Good luck.

Conclusion

1. Base your copy on research.
2. Write for all stages of the customer journey.
3. Be clear.
4. Constantly iterate.

2. Think beyond landing pages

An effective landing page is a great starting point. But if your users leave during onboarding, you are losing revenue. Review the copy of your whole customer journey.