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Design Examples
Errors and alerts
How real products word errors, warnings and alerts, with examples from Slack, Monzo, Revolut, TradingView and BetterStack — plus more in our full breakdowns.
Real world examples:
Updated: 21/08/2026, view all 1,446 examples
Examples on Built for Mars include
Slack and WBAC catch 'gmial' before signup
Lovable says errors were logged, building trust
BetterStack marks test alerts as tests
When Lovable errors, they'll make it clear that the logs have been sent somewhere internally.
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This gives you confidence that they're attending to errors—perhaps boosting brand trust.
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When sending yourself a test notification, you'll be reassured that your colleagues have not been messaged.
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To be clear, this would be better if the prompt happened before sending.
When creating an account, Slack will warn you if it thinks you've made a common typo in your email address.
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Importantly, you can still continue, this is just a way of catching typos early, before waiting for your confirmation email.
Monzo will warn you if the recipient's details don't match what you've entered, and they'll highlight exactly what the difference is, with this clear breakdown.
You'll be warned if you've made common typos (e.g., 'gmial' not 'gmail').
There are more than 1400 UX Bites like this
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There are more than 1400 UX Bites like this
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There are more than 1400 UX Bites like this
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FAQs
Should a typo warning block someone from continuing?
No, because the warning is a guess. Slack flags addresses like 'gmial.com' but still lets you press Continue, and WBAC goes further by suggesting the corrected spelling so fixing it takes one tap.
How do you write an error message that doesn't damage trust?
Say what happens next internally. Lovable pairs 'Something went wrong' with 'Lovable has been notified', which signals the failure is monitored rather than ignored, and that the product should improve.
What makes a validation warning useful in payments?
Showing the difference, not just the verdict. Monzo says the recipient details don't match and breaks down exactly what the bank's records disagree on, e.g., the name, so people can judge whether it's their typo or a real problem.
Can a warning interrupt a scam in progress?
Timing is what makes it work. Revolut warns users who are moving money while on a phone call with someone claiming to be Revolut, hitting the exact moment the scam depends on trust.
How do you stop a test feature from causing panic?
Reassure people about the side effects they can't see. BetterStack labels the test alert email as a test and confirms afterwards that colleagues weren't notified, though that reassurance would land better before the alert is sent.
Can a warning be a better fit than an empty screen?
Sometimes an alert exists purely to pre-empt confusion. TradingView warns when you've logged into a free account while it suspects you own a premium one, catching you before you assume your paid features have vanished.