Microcopy is the small text that makes a big difference — buttons, error messages, helper text, tooltips, labels. At Slice, our microcopy should reflect our tone: clear, useful, and never condescending.

Clarity over cleverness

Be obvious, not witty. Users shouldn’t pause to interpret.

✔️ "Enter your phone number"

❌ "Let’s get in touch"

Action-oriented

Use verbs that reflect the exact task.

✔️ "Add beneficiary"

❌ "Done"

Short and scannable

Keep it tight — ideally under 4 words for buttons, 1 line for helper text.

✔️ "Save changes"

❌ "Click here to save your recent updates"

Context matters

Write for the moment. Don’t reuse copy without checking its fit.

✔️ "Try again" after a failed payment

❌ "Retry" after a failed login — make it more specific

Guide, don’t guard

Help users succeed rather than block them with alerts.

✔️ "Password must include 1 special character"

❌ "Invalid password"

Speak like a human

Use conversational, natural phrasing. No system language.

✔️ "We couldn’t verify your details"

❌ "Verification failure: code 4203"

Where to apply

• CTAs and button labels

• Field labels and placeholders

• Empty states

• Toasts, alerts, and error messages

• Form instructions and success messages

When in doubt, read it aloud. If it sounds robotic or confusing, rewrite it.