Microsoft: Our Websites Are ''Horrific''
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Microsoft, Websites, Windows, Horrific, MPN | Themes: The Internet, Software
Microsoft's Scott Dodds thinks the company needs to do more to make life easier for partners.
What's worse? Microsoft claiming that it makes the lives of its partners too complicated, or the fact it acknowledges that its websites are horrific and lack clarity. That's the summation of recent comments made by Microsoft's Scott Dodds during a Microsoft Partner Network event held today in Wembley, London.
Dodds also admitted that its a "perennial challenge" to make things simpler for its partners, and is somewhat tough to overcome. "We as a business are not doing a good enough job of showing partners what to specifically sell to customers," he said. "Our websites are horrific and we've got to be much clearer about what we have to offer."
The message comes before the dawn of Windows 7 heading to retail shelves later this month. But according to The Register, Microsoft's "array" of products demands that partners take on a seven-point agenda over the next year that stretches beyond promoting the new OS.
Microsoft's UK partner strategy director Clare Barclay added that although the company overhauled the reseller program back in July, the websites--in addition to licensing and training--need a major face-lift in order to provide ease of use.
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All I have to say is, "Laugh Out Loud".
/facepalm
The pages were designed for IE (6?) so why is this a surprise?
They are Horrific just like their advertising department. However the first step is admitting you have a problem. LOL
They are Horrific just like their advertising department. However the first step is admitting you have a problem. LOL
Yes, at least they are admitting that there is a problem. I wish another company, who will remain unnamed at this time, would admit their problems
The Microsoft website(s) have changed from the past. They were much, much worse, nearly hair-pullingly worse. Things have improved, but there could still be some improvements, however.
I have to say the Microsoft website looks like it was made in 2000 and never updated. The layout and design look very dated, surprising considering its a multi-billion dollar company.
When you have a monopoly, you don't need good websites or half-way decent advertising...
One of their problems has to be that they have so many pages, sites, and sub-sites. All the info they have must be difficult to manage.
omg, did Microsoft finally discover the internet?
worst site is oracle's metalink. if u put more than one word in search u wont get anything.
I work at an I.T. company. And use M$ for Open licensing, Then E-Open site is horrific, half the time it don't work at all. the other times it is slow. I have had to call M$ a couple of times as the keys just vanish.. *poof*
The have a lot of work to do to fix all of M$'s sites.
Yeah, many of their sites stink.
I have to say the Microsoft website looks like it was made in 2000 and never updated. The layout and design look very dated, surprising considering its a multi-billion dollar company.
Given MS' tendency to refuse to use any other company's tools, they were probably created in FrontPage, and we know what an abomination that is.
The Microsoft website(s) have changed from the past. They were much, much worse, nearly hair-pullingly worse. Things have improved, but there could still be some improvements, however.
That's so true... The best bet used to be to type in the search of their main webpage what you are looking for and IF you are lucky enough to find it while scolling the results. Now it is million times more convinient.
Wonder how Bill ill take the statement though and his thoughts on the effect of the statement on the audience.
Hey, don't forget your MCP site sucks too. Oh, and the MCT site (along with the renewal process and staff) sucks the most.
Hey, don't forget your MCP site sucks too. Oh, and the MCT site (along with the renewal process and staff) sucks the most.
Hey, don't forget every other Microsoft site!
Hopefully they aren't so crappy and confusing soon enough!
omg, did Microsoft finally discover the internet?
No...Al Gore discovered and invented the internet.
Yes, at least they are admitting that there is a problem. I wish another company, who will remain unnamed at this time, would admit their problems
What fruity company would do such a thing?
Sadly, it's still better than the Cisco partner sites. THOSE are a nightmare.
When you have as much information for as many products installed on as many consumers' hardware as MS has, how CAN it be simple? I think they are doing a great job and I wouldn't have any idea on how to improve things.
Here's a tip. Sell Windows 7. One version. Price it at $50. Your partners will be momentarily confused, but it will pass, and in it's place will be understanding, and rejoicing.
We don't cater to babies, but only to the bold who dare venture the maze of our websites. We make things difficult so you can make money too through tech support. And if you got accustomed to the common look-and-feel of our GUIs we so proudly advertised before, we'll change them as we did Office 2007. You have to be on your toes every moment of your waking life.
Mabye this will eventually make their help sites actually helpful.
I find its MUCH faster to call a tech, pay $99 and have them fix things rather than spend hours and days reading over confusing posts, irrevelant tech articles and newsgroup meanderings.
I find it very easy to find information on MS web sites, I simply use Google to search for the info. Thanks Google. If MS ever figures out how to design a good site and/or search engine, they won't be completely clueless about why most people choose Google or why many people hate Windows.
Sadly, it's still better than the Cisco partner sites. THOSE are a nightmare.
What makes you think Cisco wants you to find helpful information? Cisco is based upon selling overpriced, hard to configure hardware, and selling lots of support for that hardware. Making information easy to get would only make it easier for people to use their products without much support. Making marketing info easier to get would just give Cisco's competitors an easy way to show their competitive advantages.