Herbie Murray
Error messages are an inevitable part of the user experience, and they can take many forms, from small error notes to large error summaries. While it's good to keep the language conversational, it's important not to be overly familiar or whimsical, as this can irritate users. A good error message guides users to a solution and allows them to take action while viewing the error. When too many people try to log in at the same time, it's best to give a simple, friendly message, such as Come back in a few minutes or We're over capacity. There are also technical solutions to this problem, such as using a VPN or Tor network, or using a task queue like Celery.
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What You'll Learn
- Use concise, empathetic language to guide users to a solution
- Ensure error messages are visible and noticeable, but not overly disruptive
- Avoid generic error messages; provide specific guidance
- Allow users to correct errors by editing their original action, rather than starting over
- Use colour and icons to complement error messages, aiding visibility
Use concise, empathetic language to guide users to a solution
When it comes to handling error messages, it's important to remember that users are already experiencing some level of stress. The key is to make the interaction as smooth and painless as possible. Here are some tips to guide users to a solution effectively:
Use Clear, Concise, and Empathetic Language:
Error messages should be written in plain, easily understandable language. Avoid technical jargon and use familiar, simple terms instead. Keep the message short, clear, and focused on providing a solution. Ensure that the message is not overly complicated or too technical. For example, if a user enters invalid data, the error message should explain what went wrong and guide them on how to fix it.
Avoid User Blaming and Condescending Language:
Error messages should not sound accusatory or blame the user, even if their mistake is apparent. Avoid a negative tone and user-blaming language. Instead, use a friendly and positive tone to inform users about the error. Make sure the message provides suggestions or guidance to help users resolve the issue.
Provide Clear Action Buttons:
The action buttons within the error message should be very clear and easy to understand. Even if users don't read the entire message, they should be able to see which option to choose to solve the problem. Consider adding an action word after "Yes," "No," or "Cancel." For example, "Yes, refresh the page" or "No, stay in the app." Also, explain the consequences of their actions within the error message.
Avoid Cutesy or Informal Language:
While it's important to be empathetic, avoid using cutesy or informal language like "Oops!" or "Whoops!" This type of language can be annoying to users and may come across as condescending. It's generally best to use a professional and respectful tone in error messages.
Use Icons and Visual Indicators:
Along with the error message, include a clear and easily recognizable icon to provide users with a visual indication of the issue. This could be a large exclamation mark on a red background or a thick red vertical line next to the error message. However, avoid using all-capital letters as they can be challenging to read and may appear aggressive or confrontational.
Timing is Crucial:
Consider the timing of when to display error messages. Avoid showing errors prematurely, as it can annoy or confuse users. Present errors at the appropriate moments, especially for error-prone interactions where users are likely to make mistakes. This immediate guidance will help reduce interaction costs for correction.
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Ensure error messages are visible and noticeable, but not overly disruptive
When it comes to error messages, ensuring their visibility and noticeability is crucial, but it's a delicate balance, as you don't want them to be overly disruptive. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
Firstly, consider placement. Error messages should appear close to the source of the error. This could be above the action button, ensuring it's not covered by the button, especially on mobile, where users often don't realize there's an error message at all. If the page is refreshed upon validation, the error summary should be at the top. If not, placing it just above the action button is reasonable.
The design of the error message is also key. Use noticeable, redundant, and accessible indicators. Conventional error message visuals include bold, high-contrast, and red text, but don't rely on colour alone due to colour vision deficiencies. Complement the text with an icon, like a large exclamation mark on a red background, or a thick vertical line next to the message. You can also highlight the entire section, including the field, label, hint, and input field.
The content of the message should be clear, concise, and empathetic. Avoid excessive use of exclamation points and all caps, as this can add unnecessary stress. Provide users with clear action buttons and explain the consequences of their choices. For example, "Yes, refresh the page" or "No, stay in the app". Educate users on how to resolve the issue and, if needed, provide links to supplementary information.
Additionally, allow users to correct errors by editing their original input instead of starting over. Display their original text and let them modify it. If possible, guess the correct action and offer a small list of fixes for them to choose from.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that error messages are visible and noticeable without causing unnecessary disruption to the user's workflow.
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Avoid generic error messages; provide specific guidance
When it comes to error messages, it is important to remember that they are a significant aspect of the user experience (UX). The goal is to make the interaction as smooth and painless for users as possible. Here are some guidelines to avoid generic error messages and provide specific guidance:
Firstly, clarity and usefulness are paramount. Messages should be concise and precise, describing the exact problem without excessive technical jargon. For example, instead of "Bad size", specify the criteria for the correct size. This ensures users understand the issue and can take appropriate action.
Secondly, provide specific guidance by offering solutions or next steps. A good error message guides users towards resolving the issue. For instance, if a password doesn't meet requirements, provide clear indicators about what those requirements are. Additionally, consider allowing users to edit their original input instead of starting over, preserving their work and reducing frustration.
Thirdly, make the error messages easily noticeable. Ensure they are highly visible by using colours, icons, or highlighting. However, avoid using uppercase text and excessive exclamation points, as they can add unnecessary stress or anxiety. Also, be mindful of the placement of error messages, especially on mobile devices, to ensure users can easily find and read them.
Furthermore, timing is crucial. Avoid displaying errors prematurely, as it can annoy or confuse users. Present errors at the right moment, ideally with inline, real-time guidance for error-prone interactions. This immediate assistance can reduce the time and effort needed for corrections.
Lastly, consider the tone of your error messages. Keep the language plainspoken and empathetic, avoiding placing blame on the user. A light-hearted and humble tone can help keep users engaged and less frustrated. However, be cautious with humour, as it might backfire and frustrate users further.
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Allow users to correct errors by editing their original action, rather than starting over
When it comes to handling error messages, it's important to remember that a key part of UX is about managing pain points for users. Error messages can be a significant source of frustration, so it's crucial to make the user interaction as smooth and painless as possible. Here are some ways to allow users to correct errors by editing their original action, rather than starting over:
Preserve User Input
Display the original input, even if it doesn't meet the requirements, and allow users to modify it. For example, if a user is adding an image to an Instagram story and navigates back, provide an option to save their work as a draft so they can edit it later without starting from scratch.
Educate Users
Provide concise information on how the system works and how to resolve errors. Use hypertext links to connect error messages to pages with supplementary material or explanations. This empowers users to understand and fix their mistakes without having to start over.
Use Redundant and Accessible Indicators
Make error messages noticeable by using bold, high-contrast, and red text, which are conventional visuals for errors. Also, consider using carefully designed animations to guide users' attention to the necessary corrections. However, remember to follow accessibility guidelines and never rely solely on colour or animation to indicate errors.
Differentiate Error Messages by Severity
Not all errors are created equal. Some may be simple warnings about potential issues, while others may be more severe and require immediate attention. Differentiate between these "good to know" messages and those that pose a barrier to the user's progress. For minor issues, use conditionally displayed labels or banners, while reserving modal dialogs for more critical errors that need to be addressed.
Provide Clear and Empathetic Messaging
Keep error messages concise and clear, ensuring users understand the problem and how to fix it. Even if they don't read the entire message, they should easily discern the appropriate course of action. For example, instead of just stating "City and ZIP code don't match," provide a button that allows users to select the correct city for the entered ZIP code.
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Use colour and icons to complement error messages, aiding visibility
When it comes to handling too many error messages, it's important to focus on creating a smooth and painless experience for users. This can be achieved by using colour and icons strategically to complement error messages and enhance their visibility. Here are some detailed guidelines:
Firstly, consider using a thick red vertical line to complement the error message. This approach is commonly used on Gov.uk, as mentioned in Smashing Magazine. By highlighting the entire section, including the field, label, hint, error message, and input field, users can easily identify the issue. Additionally, adding an icon, such as a large exclamation mark on a red background, further emphasises the error. This combination of colour and iconography effectively draws attention to the issue at hand.
It's worth noting that due to colour vision deficiencies, relying solely on colour may not be sufficient for all users. Therefore, combining colour with icons can significantly aid visibility. For example, placing a large exclamation mark inside the input field, preferably on the left edge, ensures that users who zoom in and out can still easily spot the error. This approach enhances the overall user experience by making error messages more accessible and noticeable.
While using colour and icons is essential, it's also crucial to keep the error messages concise and clear. Lengthy messages may deter users from reading them. Thus, aim for brevity while ensuring the message is informative and provides a clear call to action. For instance, action buttons like "Yes, refresh the page" or "No, stay in the app" give users a clear understanding of their options. Additionally, consider including the consequences of each action to empower users to make informed decisions.
Another strategy to enhance visibility is to carefully place the error messages. If the page is fully refreshed upon validation, the error summary should be at the top. However, if the page is updated without a refresh, placing the error summary just above the action button where the user has clicked or tapped is more appropriate. This placement ensures that users can easily discover the error message without missing important feedback.
In conclusion, by using colour and icons strategically, such as a red background with a large exclamation mark, and following the guidelines mentioned above, you can effectively complement error messages and aid visibility. This approach enhances the user experience by making errors noticeable and providing clear guidance on how to address them. Remember that the key is to create a seamless and user-friendly interaction, minimising any pain points that error messages may cause.
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Frequently asked questions
When handling too many error messages, it is important to approach the issue with care, clarity and empathy. A good error message guides users to a solution. It should be easily recognisable and contain critical information about the situation, with an appropriate follow-up action to give users useful choices. For example, Twitter's "Oops, we are overcapacity. Please come back in a few minutes" acknowledges the issue and provides a solution without overwhelming the user with unnecessary detail.
To reduce the number of error messages, it is important to first identify the types of errors that occur. Errors can be categorised as 'slips' or 'mistakes'. 'Slips' occur when users intend to perform one action but do another, and 'mistakes' occur when there is a mismatch between the mental model of a user and the system. Once errors are identified, you can set up scripts to track them and reduce their occurrence.
Best practices for error messages include:
- Keeping the language simple and conversational, but not too casual or whimsical, to avoid irritating users
- Making the error message easily discoverable, ideally at the top of the page or just above the action button
- Ensuring the user can see the error message, input field and tooltip all at once
- Not blaming the user
