In product design, we often obsess over the perfect icon or the smoothest animation. But the most powerful tool for guiding a user is often the most overlooked:

The Copy. UX writing isn't about "filling in the blanks"; it's about designing a conversation that builds trust and reduces cognitive load.

Clear copy equals better UX. Here are the five critical UX writing mistakes you must avoid to keep your users from getting lost:

1. Using Jargon & Complex Language

Error codes like "404 Page Not Found" might make sense to a developer, but they mean nothing to an average user.

• The Fix: Speak like a human. Instead of technical codes, say: "Oops! This page doesn't exist. Go back or visit Home".
• Pro Tip: If a user pauses while reading your copy, it’s too complex. Simplify it.

2. Vague CTAs (Call to Actions)

Buttons like "Submit" or "Click Here" are friction points because they don't describe the outcome.

• The Fix: Use action-oriented verbs that describe exactly what happens next, such as "Sign Up for Free" or "Download Your E-book Now".

3. Inconsistent Terminology

Using "Sign Up" on the homepage but "Register" at checkout creates a subtle moment of doubt for the user.

• The Fix: Maintain a style guide to standardize terms. If you choose "Sign Up," use it everywhere.

4. Ignoring Accessibility

Vague directional instructions like "Click the green button" are useless for users with visual impairments or those using screen readers.

• The Fix: Use descriptive text like "Select 'Continue' to proceed" and ensure you add ARIA labels for screen readers.

5. Text Overload

When things go wrong, users don't want a paragraph-long explanation of a database connection timeout.

• The Fix: Be concise. Change long technical alerts to: "Connection timed out. Please try again later".
• Pro Tip: Use bullets and keep sentences under 20 words to ensure scannability.