Oops! How Error Messages Can Make or Break Your User Experience

Source: Freepik

Error messages are an essential aspect of any software, app, or website. They are a vital means of communicating with users, informing them of issues, and helping them resolve problems.

Error messages play a crucial role in ensuring a positive user experience, which is why it's essential to design them carefully.

Why are error messages so important for users?

Error messages are important for users because they provide critical feedback when something goes wrong. They inform users about the issue and offer solutions to resolve the problem. Without error messages, users would be left to guess what went wrong and how to fix it. This can be frustrating and can lead to users abandoning the application or website altogether.

Well-designed error messages can help users feel supported and confident in their ability to resolve issues. It can help them understand what went wrong and provide them with a clear path to a solution. This can lead to increased user satisfaction and can help build trust in the product.

Common types of error messages that users may encounter:

1. Validation Error: This type of error occurs when a user enters data that does not meet the required format or criteria. For example:

Example: "Error: Please enter a valid email address."

Source: https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408819784346-Registration-error-Please-enter-a-valid-email-address-

2. 404 Error: This type of error occurs when a user tries to access a webpage or resource that does not exist. For example:

Example: "404 Error: Page not found. The webpage you are looking for could not be found."

3. Connection Error: This type of error occurs when a user is unable to establish a connection with a server or network. For example:

Example: "Error: Failed to establish a connection. Please check your internet connection and try again."

Source: https://hotcore.info/babki/no-internet-connection-error.htm

4. Authorization Error: This type of error occurs when a user tries to access a restricted area or perform an action for which they do not have the proper permissions. For example:

Example: "Error: Unauthorized access. You do not have permission to perform this action."

Source: https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-You-do-not-have-permission-to-save-to-this-location-in-AutoCAD.html

5. Form Submission Error: This type of error occurs when there are issues with submitting a form, such as missing or incorrect data. For example:

Example: "Error: Please complete all required fields before submitting the form."

Source: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10633397/how-to-implement-one-validation-message-in-checking-all-the-required-fields-in-a

6. File Upload Error: This type of error occurs when there are issues with uploading a file, such as file size limitations or unsupported file formats. For example:

Example: "Error: File size exceeds the limit. Please upload a smaller file."

Source: https://support.docusign.com/s/articles/DocuSign-Document-and-Envelope-File-Size-Limitations?language=en_US&rsc_301

7. Server Error: This type of error occurs when there is an issue with the server or backend system. For example:

Example: "Error: Internal server error. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please try again later."

Source: https://symfony.com/doc/current/controller/error_pages.html

8. Payment Error: This type of error occurs when there are issues with processing a payment transaction, such as invalid payment details or declined cards. For example:

Example: "Error: Payment failed. Please check your payment information and try again."

Source: https://help.smarterqueue.com/article/108-how-to-resolve-payment-issues

Best practices for designing error messages

Designing error messages that are informative, clear, and user-friendly is essential to ensure a positive user experience. Here are some best practices to consider when designing error messages:

Be specific and informative

Error messages should be specific and informative, providing users with the exact information they need to understand the issue. Avoid using vague or generic messages that don't provide users with enough context to resolve the problem.

Use clear and concise language

Error messages should be written in clear and concise language, avoiding technical jargon or confusing terminology. Use language that is easy for users to understand, and avoid using all caps or exclamation marks, which can come across as aggressive or confrontational.

Offer solutions

Provide users with clear solutions to resolve the issue. This could include step-by-step instructions, links to helpful resources, or contact information for customer support. Offering solutions can help users feel supported and confident in their ability to resolve the problem.

Provide feedback

When users take action to resolve an issue, provide feedback to confirm that the problem has been resolved. This could include a confirmation message or a change in the application's interface to indicate that the issue has been resolved.

Test and iterate

Test error messages with real users to ensure they are effective and easy to understand. Iterate on the design based on user feedback to improve the user experience over time.

Error messages play a critical role in ensuring a positive user experience. They provide users with essential feedback and support when something goes wrong. By designing error messages that are specific, clear, and user-friendly, you can help users feel supported and confident in their ability to resolve issues. Incorporating best practices when designing error messages can lead to increased user satisfaction, improved trust in the product, and ultimately, greater success for your business.

Three different good error messages:

Airbnb's "Oops, something went wrong" error message:

When Airbnb experiences an error, the site displays a message that says "Oops, something went wrong. This page didn't load Google Maps correctly. See the JavaScript console for technical details." This error message is good because it acknowledges that something went wrong and offers a clear reason for the error. It also offers a solution to the user by directing them to the JavaScript console for technical details. Additionally, the error message is written in a friendly tone that doesn't make the user feel blamed or frustrated.

Mailchimp's "We found a problem" error message:

Mailchimp's error message is displayed when a user tries to upload an invalid file type. The message reads "We found a problem. Invalid file type. Please upload a CSV, XLS, or XLSX file." This error message is good because it informs the user what the problem is and offers a clear solution. It also uses concise language and a friendly tone, making it easy for the user to understand the issue and how to fix it.

Google's "404 error" message:

When a user encounters a broken link or a page that doesn't exist, Google displays a 404 error message that reads "404. That's an error. The requested URL was not found on this server. That's all we know." This error message is good because it clearly communicates that the page does not exist and that the user should try a different URL. The language is also concise and straightforward, making it easy for the user to understand the issue. Additionally, the message is displayed on a clean, user-friendly page that offers a search bar and other navigation options, providing the user with alternative solutions.

40 Clever 404 Error Pages From Real Websites

Interactive error message: yay or nay?

It is important to have error messages interactive. Interactive error messages can help users understand the issue better and provide them with a clear path to a solution.

Interactive error messages can include features such as hyperlinks, buttons, and dropdown menus, which can offer users different options for resolving the problem. For example, a hyperlink can take the user to a help center page where they can find more information on how to fix the issue. A button can allow the user to retry the action that caused the error, and a dropdown menu can provide a list of potential solutions for the user to choose from.

Interactive error messages can also help reduce user frustration by providing immediate feedback and guidance. If the user encounters an error and is presented with an interactive error message, they can quickly try to resolve the issue without having to spend time searching for a solution or contacting customer support.

Overall, interactive error messages can improve the user experience by providing users with more options and guidance for resolving issues. They can help users feel supported and confident in their ability to fix the issue, leading to increased user satisfaction and engagement.