How Many Types of X Acronym Are There? And Does It Matter?

• acronym, Types

10 min. (1952 words)

how-many-types-of-x-acronym-are-there?-and-does-it-matter?

One of the problems with coining a term like “user experience” or its acronym counterpart “UX” is that it opens up the floodgates for other trendy experience-related acronyms to enter the web design lexicon.

CX, DX, EX, HX, JX, PX, UX, (U)XD…

Is all of this really necessary though?

While I don’t think you need to go adding EX or JX to your vocabulary anytime soon, it’s still a good idea to educate yourself on what these X acronyms mean and how to use them to your advantage in business.

The X’s of Web Design and Marketing

The two most common experience acronyms in web design and marketing are UX and CX. What you may be surprised to learn, however, is that the “X” in these acronyms doesn’t always stand for “experience” nor does it always pertain to the end customer.

Let’s review what each of the X acronyms means and then we’ll talk about which ones you actually need to worry about and use.

Customer Experience (CX)

CX refers to the quality of interactions a customer has with a brand, from the very first encounter to their very last. As such, customer experience is the most important of all the X’s to monitor, measure, and maintain.

Think about all of the places where the CX could go off the rails:

  • A broken form on the website dissuades them from trying to connect with a brand;
  • A support representative fails to respond in a timely fashion, leaving the user feeling helpless;
  • The customer makes a purchase every month for two years, but has noticed a degradation in quality over time.

This is why it’s so important for businesses to have a game plan from Day 1 — especially one that ensures a consistent delivery of products and services throughout the lifetime of a customer relationship. Any misstep in CX could cost a brand a customer’s business and loyalty.

Digital Transformation (DX)

DX refers to a technological evolution within a company. Although it’s not a term you commonly hear thrown around, it’s happening around us all the time.

If you’ve ever made a digital shift within your own business (say, from one OS to another or from a manual process to one that’s automated), you know what far-reaching effects it can have. Your time, money, and sometimes even your clients can be impacted by the change if you don’t prepare for it in advance.

Imagine what happens when it’s not just a sole business owner or freelancer who’s affected by a digital transformation.

Emotional Experience (EX)

There are two ways in which “EX” may be used in design or marketing. This is one way.

Think of emotional experience as a subset of user experience. Instead of focusing on developing a clear set of steps that take a user through their journey, EX design and marketing focus on the elements that evoke strong emotions: Powerful color palettes; Nostalgic images; Messages of urgency.

Any time you build something with the intent of pulling on someone’s emotions, that’s emotional experience design — and it’s a really common thing we do today, even if we don’t all go referring to it as EX.

Employee Experience (EX)

This is the second use of EX you may encounter, though it’s not very likely unless you’re working in a digital agency environment. Even then, this is the kind of term that only corporate might use.

While it might not be a commonplace phrase, the concept is a good one to flesh out, whether you work in a team atmosphere or you have aspirations of hiring your own team someday. All employee experience really refers to is how team members feel about and respond to a work environment and their organization as a whole.

Essentially, EX is UX for an internal organization. And by researching what employees want, collecting feedback on how they feel, and reviewing data on their productivity and job satisfaction, companies can effectively improve the employee experience — which should have a trickle-down effect to CX.

Human Experience (HX)

I’ve heard it said that HX is all about taking UX and CX to a new level.

Even though they’re both meant to create a more pleasing end user experience, the belief is that there’s still too much focus on the technology instead of the humans we should be serving. That it’s only when we stop focusing on how technology can attract and convert and please more customers that we can fulfill the real purpose of a company.

While honesty, transparency, and ethics are the kind of ideals every brand should strive for, it’s not always realistic to prioritize them what with how difficult it is to convince users to convert. There’s just too much information competing for their attention right now. So, while it’s nice to think about being able to market and sell a company to human beings instead of generalizing them as “users” or “customers”, that’s just not feasible for newer and smaller companies.

That said, I think HX is still a worthwhile concept to keep in mind. While you might not be able to do much with it now, it can certainly be a game-changing differentiator once a brand has long been established.

Job Transformation (JX)

JX and DX go hand-in-hand.

Basically, as companies adopt more and more digital solutions, and those solutions become more complex (thanks in part to AI), jobs are going to change. So, rather than hire IT specialists who can manage on-site hardware and software, businesses will be looking for AI specialists and cloud service providers who can help them make the most of their all-digital operation.

Partner Experience (PX)

PX may refer to one of two things. For this one, the partner in the experience could be a business partner, product supplier, SaaS provider, etc. Basically, any third party who you have a relationship with.

As far as web design and marketing goes, PX can affect you in a number of ways.

For example, if you were to manage web hosting on behalf of your clients. You notice that their site’s gone offline, so you reach out to the customer support representative from the web hosting company, but they’re either non-responsive or have no clue what the heck is going on. Who do you think your client is going to be upset with? No matter how much you try to pass the buck, you’re the one who’s set yourself up as the go-between, so it’s going to fall on you.

Now, let’s say you’re a solo web designer and want to partner with a copywriter since clients keep asking for help in that area. In that case, PX could affect you in a similar fashion. If the writer were to fall short in their duties (or vice versa), not only would your relationship with them be compromised, but the relationship between you and the client would as well.

Bottom line: the relationships you have with partners and suppliers plays a critical role in your success, so you do need to spend time focusing on those experiences.

Public Experience (PX)

PX, in this instance, is more likely to be used by agencies that specialize in branding and market research. That’s because this one has to do with how a brand is perceived by society. And all of the other acronyms contribute to it.

For instance:

  • An employee believes they were unfairly fired and puts the company on blast on Facebook. It gets picked up by a major news source and the story goes viral.
  • A website is hacked the day before Black Friday, leaving thousands of users without a place to buy all of the gifts they were hoping to get on sale that holiday season.
  • A company releases a new app which parents are calling for a ban on because it reinforces unhealthy stereotypes.

From the product itself to how the company engages with the public, there are many ways in which the PX may be affected. While each of the contributors — including you the web designer — have to be cognizant of how their choices and actions may affect the public image of a brand, it’s more likely the branding team will need to worry about PX.

User Experience (UX)

You’re probably already familiar with UX. This is the term we use to describe how a user (visitor) feels as they walk through a website or app. And how each step they take and each interaction they make, adds up to an overall experience.

In order to “create” a user experience, designers, developers, writers, and marketers need to be able to step inside the shoes of their users and build a journey tailor-made for them. I’ll explain in more detail how that happens in the next point.

(User) Experience Design (UXD)

The subject of user experience design is a common one discussed here. Just recently, the following UXD topics have been explored:

UXD is a discipline that requires a lot of research, attention to detail, and testing. And the end result is a website or app that’s highly usable, accessible, and enjoyable. That’s because every element, step, and interaction has been carefully thought through. And not only that, the experience is constantly reevaluated, tested, and updated to continually serve the end user.

As far as you’re concerned, I’d say that UX/UXD is the most important acronym for you to concern yourself with.

Wrap-Up

The fact of the matter is, there’s a lot of value in accepting the underlying principles of these acronyms. However, I’m not sure we need to make “designer speak” sound any more complicated than it already is.

After all, your clients don’t want to hear you talk about how DX is affecting the way we build the UX of websites. They want real speak. They want to know what exactly you’re going to do for them; not spend extra time asking you to elaborate on what all of that design jargon means.

Plus, if you do get caught up in all of these “experiences”, you might not get anything done. What I’d suggest is to focus on the ones that matter:

UX — even if you’re not an official UX designer by trade — is incredibly important.

CX is another must, though the only CX you can fully control is your own. You’ll have to trust that the clients you work for will deliver the rest on their end.

I also think DX is a good one to keep in the corner of your mind.

Technological advancements aren’t going to stop anytime soon and you’re working in a field where the tools you use and the tech that affects your business are constantly changing. So, while you might not talk about “DX”, you do need to accept that it’s going to have a profound effect on how you work, how you develop processes, and what you’re able to do for clients.

Like I said earlier, the underlying concepts of each of these X acronyms are valid and do hold some value for you as a web designer. As you work on growing your business — by adding more services, hiring employees, upgrading your tech — it would serve you well to keep these in mind to ensure you maintain a positive experience across the board.

Featured image via Unsplash.

51 comments

  1. This website certainly has all the information and facts I needed about this subject
    and didn’t know who to ask.

  2. Attractive part of content. I simply stumbled
    upon your site and in accession capital to claim that I
    acquire in fact loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment or even I success
    you get entry to persistently rapidly.

  3. I’m extremely impressed along with your writing abilities as smartly as with the
    structure in your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did
    you modify it yourself? Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a
    nice weblog like this one nowadays.

    Feel free to surf to my site :: fyfc.net

  4. Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of information on your blog.
    Im really impressed by your site.[X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]Hello there, You have performed
    a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and in my
    view suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.

    Feel free to visit my web-site :: mpc-install.com

  5. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same
    time as you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog website?

    The account helped me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar
    of this your broadcast offered vivid transparent
    idea

    Take a look at my homepage … https://kebe.top

  6. I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting!
    Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my
    blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site :).

    Here is my page benjamindinh.fr

  7. A lot of thanks for your entire hard work on this web site.

    My mother loves going through investigations and it’s easy to see why.
    A lot of people learn all of the compelling medium you create both useful and interesting solutions via the web site and even improve response from others on the
    point then our simple princess is undoubtedly learning a lot
    of things. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year.
    You are always doing a tremendous job.

    My web blog; http://www.lubertsi.net/

  8. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.
    I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back
    someday. I want to encourage one to continue your great job, have a
    nice afternoon!

    Also visit my homepage :: mpc-install.com

  9. I need to to thank you for this great read!! I certainly loved
    every little bit of it. I’ve got you saved
    as a favorite to check out new things you post…

    my page akaun test calibet – Eileen,

  10. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about
    this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics
    to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog.
    An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.

    Feel free to visit my web blog; id akaun test wm casino (https://mega888sg.com/)

  17. I not to mention my buddies ended up reading the nice pointers on your site and then all of the
    sudden came up with a horrible feeling I never
    expressed respect to you for those tips. All
    the people became absolutely stimulated to read through all of them and already have honestly been taking advantage of those things.
    Thank you for indeed being well accommodating and then for picking out some terrific topics millions of individuals are
    really needing to learn about. Our honest regret for not expressing gratitude
    to earlier.

    Also visit my homepage https://mpc-install.com/punbb-1.4.6/viewtopic.php?id=421126

  18. I’m not sure exactly why but this site is loading extremely slow for me.
    Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end?
    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

    Also visit my blog post; lovegamematch.com

  19. I am extremely inspired together with your writing
    talents as smartly as with the structure to your blog.

    Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it your self?

    Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it is rare to look a nice
    blog like this one nowadays..

    Here is my blog post; http://163.30.42.16/

  20. I do not leave many comments, but i did some searching and
    wound up here How Many Types of X Acronym Are There?
    And Does It Matter? – Pavvy Designs. And I do have a few questions for
    you if it’s allright. Is it only me or does it look like
    some of these responses come across like they are coming from brain dead people?
    😛 And, if you are posting at other places, I would like
    to keep up with anything new you have to post.
    Could you list of all of all your public pages like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

    Feel free to surf to my website – clubriders.men

  25. Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely excellent.

    I really like what you have acquired here, really like
    what you’re stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible.
    I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great
    web site.

    my page kebe.top

  27. Greetings! Quick question that’s totally off topic.
    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My blog looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this issue.
    If you have any suggestions, please share. Appreciate it!

    Here is my web site: fenshuajiang88.com

  28. hey there and thank you for your information ? I’ve definitely
    picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this website, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load properly.
    I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect
    your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.

    Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective interesting content.
    Make sure you update this again very soon.

    My web-site BreezeTech

  30. With havin so much content do you ever run into any
    issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either written myself or
    outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any methods to
    help stop content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate
    it.

    My web site: Keto Premium Shot

  31. Having read this I thought it was extremely informative.
    I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still worthwhile!

    Feel free to surf to my web page – VitaSilkLux

  33. Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!

    Here is my web page FrioBreeze Air Conditioner (http://www.yueqianzy.com)

  35. Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I have
    read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve
    got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

  37. Terrific work! This is the type of information that are supposed
    to be shared across the net. Shame on the search engines for now not positioning this publish upper!
    Come on over and discuss with my web site . Thank you =)

  38. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to figure out if its a problem
    on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

  39. I love what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and reporting!
    Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve included you guys to blogroll.

  40. My brother recommended I would possibly like this web site.

    He used to be totally right. This publish truly made my day.

    You can not consider simply how a lot time I had spent for this information!
    Thank you!

  41. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site
    on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait
    to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good blog!

  43. I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I
    never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth
    enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers
    made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
    quest bars http://bitly.com/3jZgEA2 quest bars

  45. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button!
    I’d most certainly donate to this excellent blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my
    Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon! ps4 https://bitly.com/3nkdKIi ps4

  51. Pingback: best keto app

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.