Most of you know that network marketers use the web extensively.  For everything from recruting to product information, the web is their main communication with the outside world and particularly potential customers.  So I'm not sure why some of them insist on having these things going on with their websites.  Here are the top seven things that drive me crazy on websites. (Yeah, I know, it's supposed to be the top 10 things, but I can only think of seven things that drive me THAT crazy.)

7.  No contact information readily available.  I get there, I want to write, call, email, whatever, but I can't find any contact information anywhere.  Very annoying and probably not the best idea.  I mean, how hard I am really going to work before I just move on to another website.

6.  No way to get back to home page.  I'm happily navigating through someone's website when I realize there as something on that first page that I hadn't paid attention to the first time, but now I'm interested in.  Guess what?  I can't get back there!  Hopefully I saved that URL!

5.  Clicking on something does not open in a new window, but takes over your current window.  I'm reading along and I see something interesting and there is a ready-made hyperlink.  Cool.  I click on it and my original page disappears and is replaced by this new page.  I don't panic and hit the back button, but I can't get back to my original page.  Grrrrr....  Now, where was that original web page address...

4.  Tons and tons of text.  The web is a visual medium people!  If I wanted to read pages and pages on my computer, I'd get the electronic book.  This is especially annoying when the entire website is all one page and all that text is on that page.  Not only is it very unlikely that I'll ready even half of what it there, but I'm immediately in overload and your website is not only making me annoyed, it is also putting me to sleep.

3.  Fuzzy graphics and pictures.  Okay, I know I'm getting older and SOMETIMES, things are a little fuzzy.  But, I backed up clear to the end of the room and things were still fuzzy so I know it's not my eyes!  (Besides, I did breakdown and put my glasses on and things were still fuzzy.)  Unless you have some very good reason for showing a certain picture and the fuzzy version is the only one you have, I would say avoid the fuzzy pictures--it just gives people a headache and makes it look like you don't know what you are doing.

2.  Not saying anything.  You all know what I'm talking about.  The website that has lots and lots of stuff and yet, after you have read everything, you really have no idea what they are trying to say, what their product is, or what they want you to do.  Get to the point! 

And, the number one thing that drives me crazy...

1.  Video with sound that starts up immediately when you open the website.  You can see it now.  A guy is at work thinking how he would really like to do something else.  He starts surfing the web looking for business opportunities.  He looks up and down the hall to make sure no one is watching.  He sees an interesting site.  He clicks on it.  Immediately a big booming voice starts "If you are looking for a new opportunity..." The guy goes into an instant panic trying to turn the volume down, shut the video off, anything to stop the sound!  He considers unplugging his computer.  Finally, he closes the whole site.  He quickly looks around to see if anyone noticed, breathes a sigh of relief and decides he better go back to work.  Guess what?  The next time he is looking around, he sure isn't going to open that site!

Website design can be tricky.  Anyone can design a website and put it out there, but that doesn't mean everyone should.  It takes some thought to put one up that people find informational, but not too boring, eye catching, but not overwhelming, and it should portray something good about how you do business!  After all your website may be the only impression people have of you and your company.

Thanks for reading!