Step 7: Bring in actual copy

Once visual hierarchy is established, replace placeholder content with real text and images. This step often reveals whether your layout actually works. Real content tests your assumptions. That product title might be 3 words or 15. User names vary wildly in length. Descriptions that fit perfectly in English might overflow in German. Swapping in actual content exposes these issues before development begins.

Content also shapes usability. Clear, action-oriented labels help users understand what tapping a button will do. Microcopy guides people through forms and explains errors. Headlines establish context instantly. Without real content, you're testing a shell rather than an experience.

Pay attention to:

• Whether text truncates awkwardly or overflows containers
• If images work at the sizes you've allocated
• Whether calls-to-action are clear and compelling
• How empty states communicate what users should do next