Error messages
We write error message texts: clear, human, helpful — what happened and what to do next, without blaming the user and without tech jargon. Honestly and bluntly upfront: good error texts reduce frustration and help the user continue, but it is part of UX, NOT a metrics-growth tool by itself. And text does not eliminate the error/bug itself — it only correctly reports it; the cause is fixed by development/design. The main rule: an error should honestly explain the problem and the path to a solution, not hide it or blame the user. We honestly make useful error texts, without exaggerations.
Error messages — overview
Error messages are the texts of error messages in an interface: form validation, operation failures, unavailability, payment errors, empty/incorrect data. A good error text clearly says WHAT happened, WHY (if appropriate) and WHAT to do next, in a human tone, without tech jargon and without blaming the user. The work: analyzing error points, writing clear helpful messages in a unified tone. Honestly about 'part of UX, not a metrics lever': good error texts reduce frustration, bounces and support requests, help the user recover — that is genuinely useful. But it is an element of UX, not a standalone conversion/retention growth tool. We honestly do not exaggerate the impact on metrics. Honestly about 'text does not eliminate the error itself': a message correctly informs about the problem but does not fix its cause (a bug, a failure, bad logic). If errors happen often because of the product — the product needs fixing, not just the wording. We honestly distinguish this. Honestly about 'honesty and help, not concealment/blame': an error should honestly explain the problem and give a path to a solution, not hide the essence ('something went wrong' without options), not blame the user and not mislead (especially with payment/data — where honesty is critical). We honestly write helpful messages. Honestly about tone: errors are a moment of stress; a calm human tone is appropriate, without inappropriate jokes in serious situations (payment, data loss). Honestly about the effect: it gives clear human helpful error texts reducing frustration and helping recovery, but it is part of UX, not a metrics lever, and text does not eliminate the error itself (the cause is fixed by development). Honestly about access: the interface's error points/types are needed. An important boundary: this is error messages; microcopy — 331; form labels — 333; onboarding — 330. The base price starts from 5,000 ₽ (depends on the number of messages).
Problems we solve
- Error messages are unclear/scary: tech jargon, 'something went wrong' without a solution, blaming the user.
- A misconception that error texts by themselves will raise metrics (it is part of UX).
- An expectation that text will eliminate the errors/bugs themselves (the cause is fixed by development).
- Hiding the essence of an error or deception (especially with payment/data).
What's included in the Error messages service
- Analyzing the interface's error points and types
- Writing clear messages: what happened, why, what to do
- A human tone without tech jargon and blaming the user
- Message honesty (without hiding the essence and deception, especially payment/data)
- A unified tone and a link with microcopy (331)
- Honest boundaries (error texts are part of UX, NOT a metrics lever; text does not eliminate the error itself — the cause is fixed by development; honesty and help, not concealment/blame)
- Documentation and handover
- Review with you
What you get
- Clear human helpful error texts
- Less frustration, bounces and support requests
- An honest assessment: what the text solves and what requires fixing the cause (development)
- Honest boundaries (part of UX, not a metrics lever; does not fix the error itself)
How the work goes: steps
- We analyze error points and types
- We write clear honest helpful messages in a unified tone
- We honestly set boundaries (part of UX, the cause — to development) and hand over to you
Why PDV Expert
- Fixed price and timeline — no surprises on the invoice.
- Report and recommendations in plain language — clear without a technical background.
- In touch at every step and answering questions about the result.
FAQ
Will good error texts raise conversion/retention?
They help but not as a separate lever, honestly: clear errors reduce frustration, bounces and support requests, help the user recover — that is useful. But it is an element of UX, not a standalone metrics-growth tool. We improve the experience and increase the chances but do not promise metrics growth from error texts alone.
Will texts fix the errors on the site themselves?
No, honestly: a message correctly informs about the problem but does not fix its cause (a bug, a failure, bad logic). If errors happen often because of the product — the product/code needs fixing, not just the wording. We make the texts, while eliminating the causes is a development task.
Can you just write 'something went wrong' so as not to scare?
Better honestly and with a solution, honestly: a vague 'something went wrong' without options leaves the user at a dead end. A good error honestly explains the problem and gives a path to a solution, without hiding the essence and without blaming the user (especially with payment/data, where honesty is critical). We write helpful messages, not brush-offs.
About the provider
The «Error messages» service is provided by PDV Expert — a team specialising in «Content & acquisition». We work under contract and deliver a written report with recommendations.