Crafting user-friendly websites: the role of UX writing

88% of people are less likely to return to a website after a bad user experience. The reason might be that design and content don’t align. But when UX writing and design work together, the result is a smooth, intuitive experience that keeps users on the site longer and encourages them to return.

Learn how the collaboration between a UX writer and designer can make your site truly user-friendly.

What does a UX writer do

Unlike a content writer or product editor, a UX writer works directly with the interface, focusing on the microcopy you see while using an app or a website. Their job is to help users navigate the product without confusion, so users never have to stop and think, “What do I do next?”. Some of the key things UX writers do include:

• Writing text for every part of the user journey, from buttons to FAQs.
• Researching what users prefer and how they behave to guide content choices.
• Keeping the tone, voice, and language consistent across the whole product.
• Working with designers to align text and design, creating a user-friendly website or an app.
• Running A/B tests and using user feedback to find the best solutions.

Here are five UX design books that cover the psychology of design and offer practical tips you can use right away.

Key principles of UX copy  

A few essential principles guide the process of content design: 

• Consistency. The voice and tone should stay the same across the product. When everything is named consistently at all touchpoints, users won’t get confused, and their experience will feel smooth and unified.
• Usefulness. Every word should serve a purpose. Whether it’s a button label or an error message, the copy should help the user complete their task.
• Clarity. The language must be clear and easy to understand. The main goal is to avoid confusion so users always know what action to take next. It’s also important to consider and smooth out common cognitive biases.
• Conciseness. Less is more. UX writers aim to get the message across in as few words as possible. 
• Calls to action. A good CTA tells the user exactly what to do next, like “Sign Up” or “Learn More.” The copy should motivate and direct users to keep moving forward in the interface.

If you’re a designer writing UX copy, tap into these tips for crafting user-friendly content.

How UX writers and designers work in collaboration 

In an ideal world, UX writers and designers start working together from day one. They lay the foundation for the user experience and then build all the specific scenarios on top of this strong base.

Designers focus on how the product looks and feels, while UX writers focus on how it communicates. If either element is weak or disconnected, the overall user experience suffers. For example, a beautiful design might be confusing if the wording isn’t clear, and a great copy won’t work if the design doesn’t support it. Imagine a checkout button that blends into the background—users might miss it, no matter how clear the instructions are.

Here’s how a typical design collaboration flows:

1. Kicking off together. Designers and UX writers begin with a kick-off meeting. They agree on goals, discuss what users need, and set up regular syncs to stay on track throughout the project.
2. Sharing feedback. As the design takes shape, the designer and writer regularly share feedback. For example, if a design feels cluttered, the writer might shorten the text, while the designer might tweak the layout or font to make the content easier to read. 
3. Testing. After the first version is ready, the team runs tests with real users. Based on feedback, the writer and designer adjust the layout, the text, or the overall flow to make the product work better.
4. Making final edits. As the project wraps up, the team handles any last-minute issues. This might include shortening text to fit better, fixing any mismatches between design and UX copy, or addressing user feedback that surfaced during testing.

To dive deeper into how content and design work together, check out insights from seasoned content designers on how to drive user experience with every word.