Website microcopy helps you connect with your online audience. Clever, funny & honest error pages, tool tips & administrative copy offer a valuable opportunity

Microcopy is an often overlooked chance to show your website visitors that they’re in exactly the right place. The word “microcopy” may sound unfamiliar, but trust us, you’ve seen it often before. So sit back, relax, and use the ideas presented here to bring your business’ website that much closer to perfect.

What is Microcopy?

Microcopy serves as an umbrella term for text like tool tips, error page copy, administrative messages and more. Microcopy is a big part of the UX (user experience) design of your website. When you’re initially setting up your site, some microcopy (like generic error page text, for example) may be solely provided by (or built into) your website building software. Often, once you have your new website up and running, you begin to notice these little bits of text. Effective microcopy can and should:

• Direct the user. A CTA (call to action) is typically needed so that you don’t lose the user’s attention or frustrate them as they navigate through your website. Microcopy on an error page, for example, must work to keep the user from leaving your site. It should provide instructions on how to complete the task they were trying to do when they got the error or how to find the type of content that should have been on the page.
• Apologize. Your microcopy should show empathy and use language that respects the user, rather than wording that could make them feel they are at fault.
• Explain something–apparently. This type of microcopy often appears as tool tips that show what actions various icons/buttons do–what might happen if they’re clicked. Explanatory text can also appear at the end of a TOS (Terms of service) page next to a checkbox, saying something like “I promise I’ve read the fine print.” The grayed-out in each field of a form prompting your visitor to enter specific types of information; name, address, etc. Clarity is crucial here, but you can introduce some creativity and personality to the text as long as instructions remain clear.
• Ease concern when asking for personal info or when asking the user to download something from your site. These microcopy messages often appear as pop-ups, or as text that sits beneath an “email address/Subscribe” field.
• “Stall” the user or set a timeframe for when you will get back to them. This microcopy might be on a loading screen for a video, app or online game, or on an acknowledgment page after the user clicks “Submit” on a form.

More Microcopy Branding Opportunities

The definition of microcopy can extend to things like:

• Email auto-responders that tell the user you’re “on vacation on a small remote island, so don’t expect an immediate response. If the message is urgent, contact So-and-so in the meantime.”
• Calendar pop-up meeting reminders for your staff can also benefit from some attention to their microcopy–internal branding is important too, after all.

Take Ownership of Your Microcopy

If you take the time to compose useful, convincing and intelligent microcopy in place of the standard, you’ll be joining the group of businesses that get every little detail of the customer experience spot-on. That, my friends, is always impressive to clients and website visitors.

Custom, creative and non-generic microcopy has the power to:

• Reassure the user so they will continue toward your goal, such as providing their email address for your list (This is where you might remind the user about your mutual distaste for spam.)
• Provide peace of mind (For instance: “Your info is safe with us. We never share…”)
• Build trust (Use social proof, for example: “Joining a group of 10,000 newsletter subscribers that get our latest recipes every week.”)
• Emphasize value proposition (“Sign up to get FREE offers and significant discounts every month.”)
• Diffuse frustration or disappointment (You could use an amusing image of you or your employees, an illustration and/or use verbal humor to lighten the mood–but don’t sacrifice giving real, precise info.)
• Humanize your brand and send out an approachable, friendly and/or humorous vibe. (“Your password doesn’t match our records. Wanna try that again?”)
• Show you understand your audience (By using terms they might relate to. (Does your audience feel more comfortable with the word “exquisite” or “killer” or “excellent”? Or use wording that establishes what you have in common with your audience, such as, “If you like cooking as much as we do, consider joining our email list for tips.”)
• Express your unique brand voice (Choose words that fit the image you want to project. The proprietor of a country inn would use different wording than the manager of a Hilton Hotel. Your blog most likely reflects your unique brand voice, but you can extend the feeling to your microcopy.)

Inspiration for Your Microcopy

Details such as the microcopy examples shown here offer you the chance to ensure that every ounce of your online brand experience (aka your website or web presence) is tailored to fit your voice and display your style.

You can incorporate microcopy that:

• Reflects recent news, or current memes that are spreading across the Web–just remember to change these often.
• Appears on other sites your users may visit and that have a similar “ambiance” to your website.
• Includes watchwords or trends that your audience is talking about to make your microcopy current and super relevant. “Listen in” to your customers or potential clients in your blog comments or on your social media–and use some of the terms they use to describe your product or service.
• Incorporates photos, illustrations or video — on an error page or loading screen.

Excellent examples of creative and entertaining microcopy:

Error Pages

We’re guilty of a 404″ — TMZ
and this one comes complete with funny photo of Harvey Levin, lawyer, and producer of TMZ

Random Famous Movie Quotes – IMDB

Yikes! This page doesn’t exist! — Icanhazcheezburger

Something broke, or you can’t type! — Magnt

TOS Pages

Very clear, simple language on the right, legal-ese on the left! — Pinterest

Humor + clarity: “Don’t Buy if You Can’t Be in Porn or Join the Army” — Snapterms

Contact Us Form

What does your mom call you? (instead of Name) — Mostly Serious

Getting vital details like microcopy right, using thoughtful language, creates a seamless brand experience for visitors to your website. And writing them can be fun. If you’d like more marketing tips or ideas, contact {company} in {city} at {phone} or {email} today!

With cybercrime rates on the rise, business professionals in every industry are always looking for the right ways to stay protected It seems a new headline is released every week that details the debilitating hacks and attacks that business owners across the country have experienced. 2016 saw many institutions attacked including everything from Wendy’s having customer payment details exposed to high-level government bodies having their systems infiltrated.

There is absolutely no doubt that the evolving technology landscape and the accompanying cyber-threats are changing the way institutions operate. Cyber-security is no longer an afterthought – organizations now know that staying informed and being proactive is the only reliable defense. However, with the constant talk of threats, the shocking headlines and the continual reminders to make sure data is safe, business owners can quickly become overwhelmed. Business owners are busy and focused on driving growth and profitability – when it comes to ensuring internet safety, they need simple and reliable solutions that are easy to implement and monitor.

Annually, since 2012, Safer Internet Day falls on February 9th and serves as a reminder for business professionals to staying informed and secure online. Ever since its inception, the team of IT professionals at {company} use Safer Internet Day as a chance to remind business owners that staying cyber-secure doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds. When professionals see cyber security horror stories in the news, the burning questions begin: what if that happens to us? Is our data protected? Are we prepared to bounce back quickly if something did happen? The overwhelming doom and gloom can leave business owners unsure of where to start. But {company} is determined to change the conversation.

We have an underlying mission to empower business owners using technology.  Safer Internet Day is a chance for us to fulfill that mission every year. Technology should always be a tool to drive business growth and should never be a window through which business can be hindered. Businesses can be attacked in so many ways, and we’ve actually seen it all. But there is one thing we believe in strongly: there is no way to keep a business down if they’re prepared. We’re committed to working with businesses of all kinds to assess and secure their technology landscape, and custom-build disaster recovery plans that allow for quick and seamless comebacks.

If you’d like to connect your business-minded audience with more information about how {company} is changing the cyber-security conversation for this year’s Safer Internet Day, and please don’t hesitate to contact us at {phone} or {email}.

Why Software Updates Need Your Attention

If software updates are the bane of your existence, then perhaps it’s time to rethink how you see them. Find out more about why they need your attention, and how they just might save your business.  

Software updates seem to pop up at the worst times, bugging you to pay attention to them when you’re right in the middle of something. Most people have no idea what’s behind them or the urgency of installing them, making it easy to hit the Remind Me Tomorrow button. But you really can’t delay. Here’s why updates (called patches in the IT world) can’t be pushed to the back burner.

The Threat Is Real

Hacking is in the news every week because companies aren’t taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves. And it’s not just for mega-stores like Target either. Almost half of every cyber attack in 2015 was on business with less than 250 workers. These cases often don’t make the news because they fly under the radar — 60% of small firms that are hacked go out of business. While it’s true that even companies like Apple can be infiltrated, many of these attacks are preventable.

What’s the Problem?

Machines are made by people, and so are the codes that dictate what a machine does. There are often vulnerabilities in both your software and hardware that you would never know about until it’s too late. Updates to the software are attempts to work out these bugs and ensure that your valuable information isn’t breached by an opportunistic thief. Many of these threats aren’t exposed until a hacker starts experimenting with different ways to breach the system, so it will always be an ongoing process. Vendors refer to them as patches, and you can think about these updates as a way to plug any holes that may have existed in the programs you’re using.

Handy Tips

Well, one thing is for certain is you can’t ignore the alerts you get concerning your updates. Getting the most out of these patches may mean asking more questions. It also may mean going more modern machinery, considering hackers will exploit wherever and whenever they can. Often the older machines can’t handle the updates or were never designed to be updated in the first place. You’ll need to know exactly who’s sending you patches and who services your machinery. This includes your OS, browsers, business software and any in particular payment systems. The cash registers, terminals and tills need to have the maximum security possible and generally need top priority. Ensure that you understand how, when and where you’re notified about these patches, and always install them as quickly as possible.

Business owners of all kinds need all the help they can get when it comes to managing their technology. The rate of change is astonishing and requires expert skills to navigate. {company} is the trusted choice when it comes to staying ahead of the latest regulatory changes and can provide you with tips, tricks, and news. Contact us at {phone} or send us an email at {email} for more information.

Facebook’s new security dongles offer additional opportunities for users to protect their accounts, though they come with some serious drawbacks.

Social media is no longer merely social. As consumers use online platforms for shopping, networking, and other essential activities, their social media accounts quickly accumulate valuable financial and business data. Protecting these accounts from hackers and thieves is thus just as important as securing your bank information. Facebook’s new security keys provide independent authentication, reducing the risk of compromised social media:

Additional Authentication

Two-factor authentication is a standard tool used by banks, money transfer firms, and other services that deal with sensitive information. It involves linking your account with an email server, mobile device, or other independent platforms. After you enter your username and password, the account will send a message to that platform containing a code. You must enter the code to gain access to the account. Thus even if an attacker figures out your password, they will not be able to log in.

Facebook has long allowed users to set up additional authentication for their accounts. Previously, it relied on smartphones for this function, sending users messages by text or through their Facebook apps. Its new keys expand upon these past security measures, giving users additional opportunities to keep themselves safe.

Dongle Details

Whereas Facebook’s previous authentication method relied on devices that users already owned, it is now providing physical keys, or dongles, to users. The dongles come in two forms: USB and NFC keys. Users can engage the USB keys by connecting them to a laptop and activating them by touch, thus indicating that the device is authorized to access the user’s Facebook account. The NFC keys are compatible with the chips in a variety of Android phones, sending a signal that the phones are authorized for Facebook.

Risks & Rewards

Facebook will still offer authentication through smartphones, but there are a variety of advantages to relying on dongles instead. Not all Facebook users have smartphones, so dongles provide them with another option to shore up security. Even those who do have smartphones may live or frequently go to areas with poor reception, preventing them from attaining the login code in a timely fashion. At only $15 to $20 each, the dongles provide an affordable, convenient way around these problems.

Although dongles are a practical solution to the limitations of phones, they do present some risks and drawbacks of their own. Because they are physical devices, a user can lose them and therefore be locked out of their accounts. Facebook does provide recovery codes, but users who fail to remember these will have trouble regaining access. The NFC keys are also limited to Android phones, a serious barrier for Apple and other users. Dongles only work for desktop and mobile websites that you access through Chrome or Opera browsers; they currently do not provide access to the Facebook app.

{company} provides timely, detailed analyses of the latest IT and cybersecurity trends. For more information on keeping your {city} business safe and up-to-date, contact us at {email} or {phone} today.