Use Microcopy to Guide Users

Why Using Microcopy to Guide Users Matters

Microcopy is short, helpful text that guides users through your website. This small but powerful detail improves the user experience by reducing confusion, providing clarity, and ensuring that visitors know exactly what to do next. Clear microcopy can remove friction in critical moments, helping users complete forms, navigate pages, or take action, ultimately boosting conversions.

Confusing Websites Kill Conversions

• 70% of online customers abandon forms due to confusion or unnecessary complexity. Microcopy can directly address this, helping guide users through each step.
Websites that lack clear instructions, especially in forms or error messages, see 30% more user errors, leading to frustration and lower conversion rates.
• Microcopy placed near forms, CTA buttons, and error messages can reduce user confusion by up to 25%, improving the overall user experience.

Examples: How Microcopy Improved Conversions

Dropbox - 10% More Completed Signups

Dropbox added microcopy next to their sign-up form fields, explaining why they required certain information. This simple addition reduced friction and led to a 10% increase in completed signups.

Booking.com - Reduced Form Abandonment by 15%

Booking.com used microcopy in their checkout process to clarify the steps for payment, reassuring users about security and reducing form abandonment by 15%.

Airbnb - 20% Fewer Errors

Airbnb implemented microcopy in their error messages, explaining exactly what went wrong and how to fix it. This helped reduce user errors by 20%, making the booking process smoother.

Plan: How to Use Microcopy to Improve UX and Conversions

Follow these steps to effectively implement microcopy on your website:

1. Add Microcopy to Forms
Place helpful hints next to form fields (e.g., "Enter a valid email address") to guide users and ensure they input correct information.

2. Use Clear, Action-Oriented CTAs
Enhance your call-to-action buttons with descriptive microcopy like “Complete Purchase” or “Create My Account Now” to give users a clear understanding of what happens next.

3. Include Friendly Error Messages
When users make a mistake, offer microcopy that not only highlights the error but also provides a solution (e.g., “Your password must contain at least 8 characters”).

4. Be Consistent and Concise
Ensure microcopy is brief and consistent across the site. It should help users without overwhelming them with too much information.

5. Test and Optimize
Regularly test the effectiveness of your microcopy to see how it impacts user behavior and conversions. Adjust it based on feedback or observed friction points.

Do It Yourself

• Step 1: Review key forms, CTA buttons, and error messages, and add microcopy to guide users through these areas.
• Step 2: Ensure that the microcopy is concise, friendly, and helpful in reducing confusion.
• Step 3: Test how users respond to the changes and make adjustments as needed to improve UX and conversions.

Key Takeaways

Using microcopy helps you:

• Reduce user confusion by providing clear guidance on forms, buttons, and error messages.
• Boost conversions by improving the user experience and ensuring visitors complete key actions.
• Create a friendlier website that offers support at every step, making it easier for users to navigate and interact with your content.

Incorporating microcopy into your website’s design can streamline user interactions and significantly improve conversions.