When Content Errors Become Embarrassing and Costly

As we scramble to finish a site redesign project, tweet company news or send that email blast, a pesky spelling error or typo can easily slip through. We’ve all been there – and the offense often gets past an established proofing and QA process.

It’s embarrassing. It’s frustrating. But does it really affect the organization’s bottom line or impact its reputation?

According to a BBC article, a UK entrepreneur claims that spelling errors cost “millions of pounds of lost revenue” and a single error can cut sales in half.

Hubspot reported on a recent glaring error from an NBC-owned Twitter account that mistakenly claimed the president would issue a “personal” statement. (It should’ve referenced a “personnel” statement.) The glitch was noticed and highlighted by a couple sites, creating a short-term PR hit.

At minimum, content errors erode your credibility. A post at Search Engine Watch pointed out that solid, error-free writing is associated with:

• Legitimacy
• Integrity
• Sincerity
• Trustworthiness

The conclusion is obvious: Content quality matters. Your stellar products, striking design and seamless user experience have little value if users are turned off by a glaring content error. Resist the temptation to bypass (or rush) your review process. Create a governance policy that ensures your content is reviewed regularly – and thank those who point out the mistakes you missed.