Errors are everywhere, and so are error messages.
They are of course common in our digital world - we have to face them again and again in web forms, but also in complex tables, incompatible filters, search queries and failed interactions.
They can be small error notes and large error summaries; short tooltips and lengthy toast messages. But most often they are challenging - as the user can not or is blocked to reach their goal easily.
Below mentioned are few tips that when followed, error messages can also provide a pleasant experience to the user.
1. Be Meaningful
The error message should contain the necessary information. Most of the time user is not willing to read a long story. Be concise and write a short description that is meaningful for the user and gives him a clear idea of the problem and how to resolve it. Avoid using redundant words and do not over-communicate the problem.
2. Be Clear
Write error messages in clear and simple language. The user should be able to understand the problem while reading an error message.
3. Be easy to understand
And please don’t use technical jargons. Most of the users are not interested in the technical details of the problem that occurred. If a message contains technical terms or jargons, the user gets confused. Try to use simple and plain language without referring to implementation details. If there is a need to mention technical and complex details, then place them in a troubleshooting section and direct the user so that he can resolve the issue quickly.4. Be Nice and humble
A good error message is humble. It conveys the issues gracefully to its user without blaming him for his actions. The user can perform an incorrect action again and again. But the design’s responsibility is to inform him about his mistakes in a good way.
5. Be Helpful
A good error message has three parts: problem identification, cause details if helpful, and a solution if possible. Whenever an error occurs, the user wants to fix it as soon as possible. The error message should have enough information for the user that guides him on how to get out of the erroneous situation. The message can also direct the user to some other place or person from where he can get detailed help about the problem.
And consider to provide appropriate actions. Actions are an important part of the error message. Appropriate actions provide guidance to the user about the next step. Actions are possible routes to solve the problem. A message can contain one or more actions for the user.
6. Be Specific And to the Point
The message should contain relevant information so that the user can relate to the specified location and options easily. Point out the exact location of the problem — where the user should go and what steps are needed to follow to resolve it. If an error message contains vague information, the user will get confused and it becomes difficult for him to remove the error.
Final Thought
And for sure the best error and error message is the one that never shows up :-) It is good to avoid errors at all, but since we live in a world of humans, it is not possible to make everything perfect. However, I hope the hints and tips above will help to make errors easier to handle, and that the errors can be handled in a helping way instead of bother the user with an error message or even blaming for his mistakes or missing something.
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