Comments on: Virtual Physical Obfuscation: Can your webcopy be any more confusing?

By: Toronto Hosting

Toronto Hosting — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:32:31 +0000

Confusion creates friction, FUDs and anxiety that cannot be overcome by any design. If Media Temple is one of the better web hosting sites, that does not make their site any less confusing.

By: Stephen Da Cambra

Stephen Da Cambra — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:25:03 +0000

Mario – the dpv term is a classic. I’ve always felt that, while the computer engineers have revolutionized society in the past few decades, they are terrible at coming up with names for what they create. They keep borrowing names from other things – kernel, queue, chip, – “server” should only be used in reference to the person who brings your cocktail. Many thanks for your comment.

By: Mario

Mario — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:53:27 +0000

Dedicated Physical Virtual Server

Wow, that is the most confusing thing I have ever read. It is mind boggling. I do agree that the site design is breathtaking.

By: Stephen Da Cambra

Stephen Da Cambra — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:26:22 +0000

Rick/Jason – Many thanks for the spirited comments. I’m flattered that my humble post could inspire such a great exchange.

If Media Temple is one of the better web hosting sites, that does not make their site any less confusing.

I googled “web hosting” and , you are right, there’s some nasty ones, but, none of them try to be anything other than what they are – confusing. It seems to be a requirement in that niche.

Of the top 5 natural and top 5 paid results, all of them declare “web hosting” in the copy on the home/landing page.

Matthew – Thanks for your comment. I bet we could come up with TWO examples a day and not run out!!

Burl – I’ll need a little edification before I understand web hosting as a medium of communication. Many thanks for your comment.

By: Burl Collins

Burl Collins — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:03:44 +0000

Web hosting is a form of media

By: RickD

RickD — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:49:45 +0000

Good points
I’ve always followed another school of thought in my consultancy, but i can see where your angle is useful.

thanks for good discourse!

By: Matthew Peters

Matthew Peters — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:53:50 +0000

“Confusion creates friction”. You are soooo right. You could give an example a day for the next three years and never run out of examples. Great post.

By: khalid

khalid — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:53:17 +0000

No Rick/Jason, I am telling you that VPs of marketing use a different language and different constructs than what you are used to. What you call fluff is necessary based on context and audience.

By: RickD

RickD — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:42:23 +0000

ok
so you’re telling me VP’s of marketing need a lesson on how ROI works?

i find this hard to believe, but i suppose you’re the expert. you did not meet the challenge and tell us what you do in 2 sentences. Can you do it without fluff?

Best,
jason

By: khalid

khalid — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:25:08 +0000

Rick, you actually bring up a good point. Can the copy be written differently? yes it can. But the copy is targeting VPs of marketing at large companies. The type language and its usage they have is a lot different than language used with small business owners for example. When we tested a “simplified” version of the copy, it did not appeal to our target market.