Is less more in UX writing?

If you've worked on a website or app of your own, you would've faced this dilemma at some point - "Do I keep the copy concise so it looks clean, or elaborate so it is clear?"

After years of writing UX copy, I can tell you confidently - there's no less or more, just enough. Confused? Let me elaborate.

UX writing - the clearer, the better

Take a look at these 2 CTAs. A common UX writing principle about CTAs is that they should always be small. But that's not the case! While we look at this from a design angle, the second CTA will seem lengthy. But for a user, it's clearer since the CTA is telling them what will happen on pressing. And that's the job of every good CTA.

Likewise, any piece of copy on your digital product has the freedom to be as lengthy or as small as needed. Many novice product people believe that users won't read. But that isn't the case. Remember - good UX writing is invisible. If an interface has crystal clear UX copy, it won't be appreciated. Rather, the appreciation will be in the form of users being able to complete tasks they set out to do.

To conclude, the best way to define quality when it comes to UX writing is to see how seamless it makes a user's journey across a product - not how small or big the words are.

Do you think your product has a seamless interface? Are your users able to go from signing up to purchasing your product/services fluidly? Does your interface provide them with the guidance needed to understand the product rather than rely on intuition?

Get a free UX writing audit done today to see for yourself! Now that's a good CTA. 😉

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