My favorite free UX writing resources (part 1)
Some people have bookcases full of educational materials to help them solve a myriad of problems.
Not me.
I keep most of my go-to tools neatly organized in a Google Chrome bookmarks folder.
I use these tools on almost every writing project. They help me find the right words to use. They help me work through a writing block. And they help me make sure my writing is accessible to users of all abilities.
Whether you’re lacking a UX writer and in need of tools to help your team, or you’re looking to refine your UX writing expertise, these free resources will help you along the way.
Google Keyword Planner
Writing with the same words and terms your users use is not only good for SEO, it’s also good for UX. Google Keyword Planner is a research tool that gives you insights into how often certain words are searched for and how those searches change over time. And you can—and should—refine your search based on location. You can also find additional words or terms users are searching for that you may not have previously considered. Check out Google Keyword Planner here.
MailChimp Content Style Guide
Writing style guides are crucial to creating successful content. MailChimp, who’s renowned for their brand voice, has made their writing style guide publicly available and easily accessible. I use the style guide as a gut-check when I’m struggling with how to phrase something. I especially love the Web Elements section. Check out MailChimp’s Style Guide here.
Readability Test Tool
Users are smart, but it’s important to make sure all of your content is accessible and easy to comprehend. Most recommend to write for a middle school reading level. Readability Test Tool takes the text on your website and gives it a score according to the most-used readability test indicators, like Flesch Kincaid and Gunning Fog. You can test your entire website, or directly input content. Check out the Readability Test Tool here.
Have you used these resources for your own writing? I’d love to hear the creative ways you’ve found to utilize these free resources. Leave your thoughts in the comments below. And stay tuned for part two—I have a few more go-to tools to help me optimize my writing projects.