{"id":26681,"date":"2016-06-23T21:01:48","date_gmt":"2016-06-23T13:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=26681"},"modified":"2023-08-07T20:19:21","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T12:19:21","slug":"webcopy-microcopy-tips-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/webcopy-microcopy-tips-designers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Master Microcopy for Web Designers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Content-writing<\/strong> makes up the vast majority of all websites because it\u2019s the easiest content to produce and consume. The style of writing<\/strong> is a big factor in a website\u2019s usability<\/a>, but it often gets overlooked, with design aesthetics<\/strong> taking priority.<\/p>\n

When just starting out, and diving into web copy, you\u2019re bound to make simple mistakes<\/a> in the writing process. With this post, I\u2019m hoping to help you iron out these mistakes by outlining the basics of copy and microcopy<\/strong>, explaining what they are and how they function on the web.<\/p>\n

As you practice writing you\u2019ll find new methods for generating interest from readers<\/strong>. But also keep a keen eye while browsing other sites to study their methods for writing attractive page copy.<\/p>\n

How Copy Defines Your Site<\/h2>\n

Written content is at the heart of most websites. Content is often a primary reason why people visit a site, or it\u2019s at least used to guide people around a site.<\/p>\n

Blogs drive readers to consume content. But written content may also cover different features for a new web application<\/strong>. Content is a vehicle used as a means to an end. With blogs, the content actually is the end goal<\/a> of delivering quality content<\/strong> that\u2019s valuable to readers.<\/p>\n

But the way<\/em> you design copy can have a big impact on consumption and user experience.<\/p>\n

For example, take a look at the screenshot of this website below<\/strong>. The layout uses big bold letters<\/strong> to tell you what this app does (a collaboration app for designers). But scroll down, and you\u2019ll find a section with tooltip callouts<\/strong> explaining the interface features.<\/p>\n

\"wake<\/figure>\n

Visitors don\u2019t like wading through documentation to learn about your product. Say what you do in the shortest amount of time<\/strong> with the clearest copy possible<\/strong>. This is also the foundation of most great landing pages.<\/p>\n

\"mail<\/a><\/figure>\n

The content writers for MailBakery use a metaphor<\/strong> that compares coding & designing e-mails with the process of baking sweets. Their home page uses the text \"we bake HTML emails\" to cleverly describe what they do<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Fun vectors and metaphors<\/strong> sell people a visual idea<\/strong> associated with wordplay<\/strong>. This can be tricky and doesn\u2019t work for every company. But it\u2019s a powerful marketing technique when done right.<\/p>\n

Other sites, like Patreon<\/a> work better with clear and straightforward statements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Patreon<\/a><\/figure>\n

The home page heading says \"Recurring funding for artists and creators\". This doesn\u2019t get overly complex about the technology because the technology is secondary to the purpose. Technology is a tool used to do something \u2013 in this case, it\u2019s a donation engine for creatives.<\/p>\n

By studying examples like these, you\u2019ll learn how to write content that sells<\/a> without feeling gimmicky. There\u2019s a lot to learn when you\u2019re just getting started. Reading may help you find a direction.<\/p>\n

Here are some posts about quality web copy<\/strong> to get you started:<\/p>\n

Sometimes there is room for a little fun and creativity<\/strong> too, like on the home page of MailBakery<\/a>.<\/p>\n