By attracting more and more attention to the world of digital product design (website and application), we are constantly witnessing small and large developments, as well as the deepening and specialization of each part of this field. Among the interesting and very important activities in this field is UX Writing. What is UX writing and how is it different from copywriting texts?
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What is the difference between UX Writing and Copywriting?
UX Writing (or user experience writing) is the art of how to write statements to help the user experience. This process involves planning and writing micro texts (microcopies) that exist for user interaction with the digital product in the interface. UX Writing guides the user and helps him to find his desired path in the digital product and do his desired tasks.
The following examples are included in the UX Writing category:
- Error messages that appear when a problem occurs, such as “The password is incorrect”,
- The expressions you see on the buttons and in the menus,
- Instructions that tell the user what to do next
- Success messages that inform you of the completion of a process, such as “Your registration is complete.”
What is copywriting?
Copywriting is a part of marketing knowledge and a process that includes writing texts that are used in the field of marketing and advertising. The main purpose of this activity is to attract new customers or users and encourage them to take a specific action such as buying a product or service.
Some of the activities in the field of copywriting are:
- Creating the content on the landing page (for example, the text that introduces the products or services on the first page of a company’s website),
- Website blog advertising articles,
- The content of marketing emails (email marketing),
- All advertising content, including social network posts, which are produced to encourage and stimulate users,
- Advertising slogans.
What are the main differences between UX Writing and Copywriting?
Both experienced writers and copywriters produce content. But the content they produce and the tasks they undertake are very different. In the following, we will examine the differences in the field of work and the duties of each.
1. UX Writing and Copywriting pursue different goals
The main goal of UX Writing is to facilitate the user experience while using a digital product or service. UX Writers write content in a way that helps the user find their way through the product. UX Writing has nothing to do with convincing customers and selling a product, it’s about improving the user experience and making it easier for the user to interact with the product.
The main goal of copywriting is to attract new users and convert them into customers. The exact purpose of the content depends on the nature of the business. But usually, the goal is to promote a product or service and help achieve sales and marketing goals, such as increasing website traffic and sales.
2. UX Writing and Copywriting are subsets of different fields
UX Writing is under the umbrella of User Experience Design. UX Writers are an integral part of the product team, working with product managers and UI/UX designers to ensure that good content is designed for the product from the start.
Copywriting is a subset of marketing. Copywriters are usually not involved in the design of the product itself. Rather, they produce content for product marketing. Copywriters are an integral part of the marketing team, working closely with email marketers, social media managers, and performance marketers.
3. We encounter UX Writing and Copywriting in different spaces
UX Writing appears in and throughout the digital product. While we encounter copywriting in spaces where information is given about the product or service.
When you read blog articles, receive marketing emails, download an e-book, or check out a company website, you are reading the content of a copywriter. But when you download an app and use it to do a specific task, like booking a flight, you’re directed by a UX writer.
4. UX Writing and Copywriting follow different principles
UX Writing and Copywriting are based on different principles. UX Writer is all about the clarity of the help texts and the usability of the product. That’s why user experience texts should be written following the 5 basic principles of UX Writing, including being short and clear.
The same can be said about some types of copywriting. But the copywriter has more freedom in writing marketing content, depending on its type and purpose, to write longer and more descriptive or informative, or to seek persuasion.
UX Writing and Copywriting both have a common focus (text writing and content preparation). But they are different from each other in their principles and ultimate goal.
Comparing the main duties of experienced writers with copywriters
In addition to distinguishing between UX Writing and Copywriting in terms of output, it is also important to examine the role of a UX Writer versus a Copywriter in terms of core tasks and skills.
The authors of the user experience text are present in the product team. Therefore, their duties are usually related to the product design and development process and they usually have the following responsibilities:
- Conduct user experience research in collaboration with UX designers and researchers.
- Writing user experience texts for apps, websites, and other digital products.
- Develop and oversee content strategy for all product-related content.
- Running A/B tests to test different types of content (A/B testing is a random testing process in which two or more different versions of a web page are shown to different visitors at the same time to determine which version performs better).
Copywriters are members of the marketing department. Therefore, their duties help to achieve marketing and sales goals. For copywriters, all or some of the following tasks may be considered:
- Content writing for a variety of marketing channels including email, advertisements, social media posts, and long content such as articles,
- Compilation of the marketing content style guide in cooperation with other marketers.
- brainstorming and presenting new ideas and concepts for marketing and advertising campaigns,
- Analyzing data to measure the success of different types of content and formats.
- Proofreading and editing the works of other copywriters.
Comparing the main skills of UX writers with copywriters
Both must be excellent writers who can adapt their style and tone to the subject, audience, and brand.
In addition to being proficient in writing, UX writers must have a thorough understanding of the UX design process and key UX principles. This includes mastering concepts such as usability, accessibility, information architecture, user flows, and users’ mental models (presumptions and mental expectations of users from a website or application before entering it, formed based on their previous experiences).
Just like UX designers (and anyone else working in UX), UX writers need to hone soft skills like empathy, collaboration, and communication.
Copywriters also need to increase their expertise in marketing. This issue includes knowing different marketing channels and how they work, as well as the ability to identify and then evaluate appropriate performance indicators for different types of content.
Copywriters also need creativity and the ability to edit other people’s work. In addition, seriousness in research and research, strengthening cooperation and communication skills in copywriting is also very effective.