Yes, if they happened to give me a call I’d have to recommend starting over. The architecture is fundamentally flawed at this point.

Unless they’re something to it. I like your sensory overload idea; I kind of hope it’s not the case but it is the first possible rationale anyone’s suggested. If it’s making them money, then maybe it’s like long sales letters (ick!). The proof is in the paycheck.

As much as I want to think it’s accidental, that doesn’t make a lot of sense of a huge company. Nothing’s accidental.

Thanks for the food for thought!

Regards,

Kelly

As to the mini-review, if GoDaddy was someone coming to us for help, we’d probably rip the site to shreds and start over from scratch. It’s so garish, tacky and user-unfriendly that it isn’t funny.

Even with the nice-looking mascot.

But to answer the question why they do this? Because they did it, they’re making a lot of money, they don’t care, and it’s still working.

Also, their sensory overload probably increases their sales – people get overwhelmed and just start looking for where to contact them or sign up. They target the newcomer to the web, so these people are hyperconfused and it’s a smart way to get them sucked in.

At least, that’s what I think…

That’s exactly why I began with a disclaimer, which I a funny way to start a post. The interactions I’ve had with Go Daddy have been outstanding in every way, and coming from me that is high praise. I don’t know if I could use that word on five other companies.

As to the censorship, I haven’t heard a thing about that. I don’t know about this case, but sometimes on the Internet things get… skewed… toward whatever view suits the offended party.

Their UI I have learned to negotiate. That doesn’t mean I’m not irritated each and every time, but other than an Experience Designer’s curiosity, I’ve sort of called a truce.

Thanks for your comment!

GirlPie,

We certainly agree on some points. It sounds as though you’ve had a bit different experience with their people than I have re: upselling. Glad to have you rant and rave here. I’ve done a few rants on the blog myself.

Tony,

I entrust my business to them for the human interactions, pure and simple. Their customer service is so quality that if a friend were asking me, and I knew the friend was intelligent and patient enough to put up with the maze, I would recommend Go Daddy to them. The human factor gets big stars next to it in Experience Design.

It’s not Maximum Customer Experience by a long shot, hence this fabulous discussion we have going here. The funny thing is, it’s the one element so many other companies just can’t get right, and they have got it.

My site’s very important to me. They have nothing to do with the site itself, so why on Earth wouldn’t I?

Always good to have you come by and rock the boat!

Regards,

Kelly

If you are just fooling around and not making any money, fine: go with the low price leader.

If your site is important to you, if it makes money for you, why on earth would you??

Every single time I call them I rant and rave (funny/nice, I know the kid on the call didn’t design it) about what hurts them and I think Bob uses the confusing design and constant hide-the-tab changes to force us to call so they can upsell personally! THANKS for saying so well what I can only rant and rave about like a lunatic for this past decade with them — ARRRG!

Because they’re a known-enemy and they’re cheap, that’s why…

I used to host everything at GoDaddy. But a month or so ago I moved all my sites to another hosting company. Two reasons: 1- The awful UI. I got sick of never being able to find the damn menu or command I was looking for. (Like Natasha said, it makes you feel like a clueless noobie.)

The other reason: censorship. Bob Parsons recently yanked down a site (can’t remember which one right now) because he disagreed with their politics. Whew. There are too many other hosting options to do business with a guy like that.

The combination of sand and lilac/lavender has got me so jazzed I nearly wish it was Monday already. Hehehe.

Yes, I hear you. Does confusing me into staying longer seem like a good idea? It isn’t…

Regards,

Kelly

(.unless I am looking for lavender and sand lingerie..your suit will be gorgeous. thanks for those great comments, Very appreciated. )

You cracked me up because I debated about the title for quite a while. I see I did the right thing.

I hate to write too many “don’t do this” posts, but you know, sometimes the target is so hard to miss…

It is obviously not just us. Still, as someone who does the research and helps guide companies to better Customer Experience for a living, I can’t believe they’re doing this unconsciously. So like most everybody today, I am still wondering—Why?

Thanks for rushing over and adding to the conversation!

Regards,

Kelly