When people talk about websites not converting, the blame often lands on the content. The copy is not strong enough. The message is not clear. We need better words.
As a web developer, I see something slightly different. More often than not, the content is doing its job. It just is not being supported by the way the site works. That is where UX comes in.
What is UX?
UX is not about how a website looks. It is about how it feels to use. People arrive on a site distracted, short on time, and a little unsure. They do not read carefully from top to bottom. They skim, scroll, and look for reassurance that they are in the right place.
Good UX accepts this behaviour and works with it. This is where content becomes essential. Without clear, well-thought-out content, there is no real user experience. And without UX, even great writing struggles to land.
Why UX is about more than words
From a UX point of view, content is not just the words on the page. It is what guides someone through the site. Clear headings, short sections, helpful explanations at the right moment, and buttons that explain what happens next all play a part. These are content decisions, but they directly affect how easy a website is to use.
I often work on sites where the writing is thoughtful and well-written, but the experience still feels like hard work. Usually, this is because there is too much competing information on one page, the main message is buried, the next step is unclear, or everything is written about the business rather than for the person reading.
From a UX perspective, this creates friction. People hesitate, feel overwhelmed, and leave. Not because the content is bad, but because the journey is not clear.
Simplicity matters
The best websites feel simple, even when there is a lot going on behind the scenes. That sense of simplicity usually comes from content doing some heavy lifting. It tells people where they are, what the page is for, and what they should do next. When content is written clearly and placed thoughtfully, users do not have to think too hard. They just move forward. That is good UX.
From a development point of view, I can structure pages, build layouts, and make sure everything works technically. But without strong content, the user experience quickly falls apart. Content writers understand tone, reassurance, and clarity. They know how to reduce uncertainty and help prioritise what really matters. When content is planned early, UX decisions become easier and more effective. The site feels calmer, clearer, and more human.
How to review your UX
There is a simple way to look at your website through a UX lens that has nothing to do with design. Open one important page and scroll without reading every word. Ask yourself whether you can quickly tell what the page is about, whether you feel guided or slightly lost, and whether the next step is obvious. If not, it is often a sign that the content and the user experience are not quite aligned yet.
Good UX does not replace good content. It depends on it. When content is written for real humans and supported by a clear, thoughtful user journey, websites become easier to use and easier to trust. That is when the content finally gets the space it needs to do its job.
Author bio
Rebecca is a web developer with a strong focus on user experience and building websites that actually work for real people. She works with small businesses to turn good content into clear, usable journeys that make websites easier to understand and easier to use. Rebecca believes the best results happen when content and UX are planned together, not bolted on at the end.
