Copywriting at UI – Lets Copy Good.
Copywriting is common among marketers and advertisers. However, there is a growing need for good copywriters for web interfaces and in this blog we will look into it.
What is Copywriting
Copywriting is the process of crafting compelling written content for the purposes of getting people to take action.
Copy is simply a blanket term for text. The product, called copy, is written content that aims to increase awareness and ultimately persuade a person or group to take a particular action
How is copywriting relevant for UI
Copy is the integral part of UI. copy is essential for the user experience of your application.
Creating software, it’s not about computers anymore. It’s about people. We have to remember that we’re creating software for people. Users, they don’t really want to use our software. Users want to accomplish a task and that’s why we must motivate them, to get them excited about performing their task. Great software is useful, usable, and delightful. It accomplishes a task quickly and easily, and the user enjoys the process.
Copywriting plays an important role in making the software experience engaging for the user.
Copy implemented in an application or a website can and should:
> inform
> communicate
> enable interaction
> enhance navigation
> engage emotions
> create tone and voice.
Where is Copywriting used in UI
Copywriting should used in almost all of the screen elements in the UI. Buttons, Input fields, Table Headers, Tool tips, Error highlights, etc.
Considering the adoption of screen readers a good copy is vital for the usage of the application by the users.
Accessibility of the application to users with physical challenges relies on the screen texts to be in human readable format.
Bad Copywriting
Good Copywriting
Examples
Learnings
> Good copy reduces ambiguity
> Good copy puts the audience first
> Good copy is well-researched
Involve a Copywriter at the design stage to interact with the end users. This improves the empathy towards the end users. Also, the copywriter should closely work with the developers to ensure that all the screen texts are well documented.
I look forward to hear your opinions and experiences.
Thank you for your time.
The opinions in this blog are purely personal in nature.
FYI - for those reading this. More detail is provided in the open sap course Copywriting: Improve User Experience One Word at a Time.
It was now to me that "copy" is another word for "text", that still seems a little strange to me.
Here I immediately thought about the Ethical Design Manifesto: https://ind.ie/ethical-design/
It states all the points you mention, but also insists on respecting Human Rights as a core foundation.
best
Joachim
Hi Joachim,
I was also personally surprised by the aspect of Copy but it was the Open SAP course which enlightened me about it. It is common among advertisers and marketers but its relevance for web is something for us to ponder on.
Thanks for sharing the web link. Very informative.
Regards,
Sharath
I'm also always confused by the notion of "copy writing". Why is anyone writing a copy? Do they not have a copy machine? 🙂 English is confusing! There is quite a history behind the word though.
Great insight into a simple word. Just shows that in most aspects we are still at the tip of iceberg.
Thank you, interesting article! Well-designed text content on your site will help turn ordinary readers into interested consumers. In other words, high-quality and authentic content that can "sell" a product or service becomes the golden key that opens the door to the success of your business. Ultimately, the consumer's determination to trust you largely depends on how lucidly and persuasively you were able to claim your benefits and the benefits of CA. That's why investing in copywriting is not a useless luxury, but a pressing need that always pays off.
Thanks for the comment.
UX as a whole is still looked at as a product instead of as a process.
Until that, there is very little head-way.
Hopefully, things change resulting in better user experiences.
Best Regards,
Sharath