Improving UX - Working With Text

More often than not, stakeholders are eager to present as much text as possible on their website or application. And why not, if you really want your audience to connect with your business and the services you offer, surely you need to give them plenty of text right?

Lazy users or are they looking for better ways to be informed?

Whilst perfectly worded content can be a very powerful thing, it is worth noting that when it comes to a website, people don't read. According to Econsultancy.com, as little as 20% of users actually read your content. In addition, people do not read a website in the same way as they would read a book. (Econsultancy, 2015) Instead, they scan for key pieces of information in order to absorb content quickly, with the hope of being able to make informed decisions. Too much text increases cognitive load and makes the overall experience more complicated for the user.

Take It Away

After all, the French aviator & writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery stated: "Perfection is achieved when there is nothing left to take away".

So with this in mind, evaluate what you can lose. Avoid forcing your user to work extra hard to obtain what information they are looking for by reducing word count, utilising headings as signposts, presenting short paragraphs and adopting plenty of white space in your design.

Clean Up & Illuminate

Decluttering the screen increases focus and thus emphasizes any important content you wish to draw attention to. Improving clarity will result in a smoother user journey if this pathway is then supported by an obvious goal or a message.

Therefore, don't let all your editorial hard work go to waste. On the contrary, refine what you have to say by reducing it down to its most simplistic form. With this method you are empowering your users and effectively expressing the benefits you have to offer.