When you’ve checked your content for acronyms, jargon and the other usual tech-suspects, it can seem like it’s ready to go.
However, there are other, more subtle ways your content can be too technical. Here are my top five to check.
It explains how before it explains why.
You might have seen this: content that dives straight into frameworks, integrations, or architecture diagrams before explaining the problem it solves.
It might look helpful – a wealth of information about aspects of your technology.
However, if readers have to wade through half a page before discovering why it matters, the detail isn’t helping; it’s hiding what matters.
Start with the business context: what changes, what improves, and what risk is reduced. The “how” makes more sense once readers know the “why.”
It assumes shared knowledge.
Internal teams read content and nod: “Of course, they’ll know what XDR or ELT means.” But does your business audience know what they mean?
It’s a Curse of Knowledge thing.
To get around this, add a sentence that turns technical shorthand into a straightforward explanation:
“XDR brings together data from across systems, so threats are spotted faster.”
Your prospect now knows what XDR means and how it can solve a problem.
It treats every detail as equally important.
When everything is important, nothing stands out.
Business readers don’t need the whole implementation story; they need to see what matters to them and their company.
What are the most important details your prospects need to help them make a decision? Put these first, and then use the rest to explain how it works.
It reads like documentation, even when it’s not.
Documentation language tends to creep into business content more often than you’d think.
Phrases like ‘the solution leverages advanced capabilities to…’ sound professional but say nothing.
Let’s say you found: “the solution leverages advanced capabilities to…” in your content.
You could replace “capabilities” with what those capabilities achieve. Instead of “leverages automation,” try “automates routine tasks so teams can focus on high-value work.”
It forgets the reader’s role.
You can get so caught up in making the case for your technology that you forget your audience. It’s almost scarily easy to do this.
If your content only describes what the system does, rather than what the reader gains, it’s still talking about your system, not about what matters in the prospect’s world.
If you say that your “platform provides”, try changing it to: “teams gain.” It’s a small wording shift that changes your message from a function to a value.
Final idea
Technical content isn’t “wrong”, it’s just written for a different audience.
You don’t have to lose that technical depth; it just needs to be reshaped to work for business prospects.
You’re not aiming to remove detail; instead, you’re making sure every detail earns its place.
That’s when technical depth becomes business clarity and your content works.
About Sara Edlington
I’ve written for publications including The Times, The Independent, and StrategicRISK Europe, as well as for clients such as Data ProTech Group, MetaCompliance, and NWN Carousel.
Today, I specialise in explainer content for technology companies and agencies. Clear, credible, relatable writing that shows why your technology matters and how it can help solve business problems.