Software Copy
Use the side menu to jump between a few examples of copy I wrote specifically for software and shipped products.
Error Messages
My current line of work involves indoor maps and navigation services. I was tasked with creating copy that provides context to map navigation errors in a humanized and light manner.
The Process
I had to first discuss with the engineering team to understand the computer errors. I found that the error messages generated by the computer did not prove useful to the user, so I had to give context to each one and provide a solution to the error when applicable.
The Solution
Error messages that could be understood by anyone in a light and informative manner.
Example Image of an Error Message
Computer Error
Computer Error Message: ALERT_BLOCKING_ROUTE
Computer Error
Computer Error Message: IMPOSSIBLE_ROUTE ERROR MESSAGE
Computer Error
Computer Error Message: MAP_DATA_UNAVAILABLE ERROR MESSAGE:
In this example, I was tasked to create an error message for map overlays. Overlays are layers that can be drawn on a map with a selection tool. Overlays create a filter on the map for visitors to see as they are zooming in and out. It allows the property owner to highlight property information to their visitors.
This concept is best displayed in the video to the left. New information that appears on the map while zooming in and out is considered an overlay.
The Task
Create an informative error message for when a user accidentally creates an overlay that overlaps an existing one.
The Old Error Message
The New Error Message
Software UI (Location Sharing)
Within the Mapsted app, a feature existed that allowed users to share a link with a friend that would show their live location. At first glance, the sentence you see on the left screen below may sound fine. There is always room for improvement though, so I revised the copy further to provide context as to why the user had to enter their name.
Software UI (Analytics Dashboard and Widget Copy)
Mapsted is a company that leads innovation in the indoor navigation space. Specializing in intelligent indoor wayfinding with turn-by-turn blue dot navigation, they are ahead of the competition by offering indoor navigation without all the external hardware that is typically associated with it. They also specialize in advanced analytics and location-based marketing software.
I was tasked to create copy for the Analytics User Explorer dashboard to guide users through providing number values in a specific part of the software to view correlating data.
The Process and Reasoning
The original copy for the User Flow tab was difficult to understand and was easily misinterpreted. Nearly all my interviewees were unsure of what the text was prompting them to do, or they ended up pondering over it longer than necessary.
The Old UI Copy
The parameters for the data on "APP SESSION TIME" must meet certain criteria to display data within a given time frame.
In this case, the user had input a value in the first field that was higher than the lower value, in turn creating an error. By looking at the text surrounding the input fields I discovered room for improvement which I discuss below.
The more than/less than doesn't indicate to users that there is a maximum or minimum enumeration requirement and gives no additional information as to which value goes where. The user could have simply interpreted the word "more" and put a higher value and saw the word "less" and therefore put in a lower value hence the given error message. I decided this was an inappropriate choice of words that required revision.
What does this abbreviation stand for? After researching the most common meaning of the abbreviated word "min" I discovered most people relate "min" to the abbreviation of the word "minimum" similarly to the abbreviation of maximum "max".
Commonly Used Abbreviations
Min = Minimum
Max = Maximum
After speaking with the developers on the project, I realized they actually had intended for "min" to be an abbreviation of the word "minutes". This would definitely cause some confusion for the user since most people do not associate "min" with an abbreviation of the word "minutes". Therefore, the software copy needed to be updated to convey a clearer message to the user.
Uncommon Abbreviations
Min = Minutes
The error message is not consistent with the text on the user interface, therefore causing further confusion.
Here is the information I gathered that was necessary for the user to input to populate data.
1. Enter a minimum value (in minutes).
2. Followed by a maximum value (in minutes).
The New UI Copy
After understanding the requirements of the developers I decided to take a tip from the existing error message. I chose to simply re-work the copy so the user interface was in alignment with the error.
If the user inputs a minimum value that was higher than the maximum value they would receive the same error message and it would actually be helpful in guiding them on what to do next.
Testing the words minimum and maximum turns out to be a common phrase that most users relate to. Minimum would mean a lower value and maximum would indicate a higher value.
Changing the text to minimum (min) and maximum (max) was an easy fix that made a world of difference in guiding users.
Include the entire word "minutes" to indicate to the user what value is being measured.
The error message is now consistent with the entry on the user interface.