A peek into (the people behind) pop-ups
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I was sitting in on a meeting today where we were discussing redesigning a website. Keep in mind that I was probably the only one there that had any actual idea of what goes into a good website. I knew this, and I was ok with this – until one of the ladies spoke up and said she wanted the ability to be able to have pop-ups. You know, to pop-up promotions. As in pop-ups.
I stopped her dead in her tracks with a stare I’ve honed by practicing on infants and small rodents. “Why on Earth would you want to do that?” I asked.
“So we can promote events!” she exclaimed with what appeared to be some sort of evil glee.
“You do realize that people don’t like pop-ups, right?”
“Why not?” she asked, staring at me like I had just stitched on another arm because I thought it’d look good.
“They’re annoying? People generally don’t like things that are annoying.” I mean comon, if the first thing you do to your visitors is throw an annoying advertising pitch at them, they’ll more than likely get frustrated and leave. I know I would.
She finally muttered her understanding and gave up, but I was just astounded that people still think pop-ups are a good practice.
The only people who think pop-ups are good are spammers and scammers. And that’s even redundant.
All it takes to put together a good website is common sense. Unfortunately, most people lack this and go for what’s most popular or shiny. And then they force those wants on to us who actually know what we’re doing. Sad.
@Tom: See, I also thought the only people who voluntarily want pop-ups are exactly what you said. That’s why this lady surprised and horrified me so much. She’s a marketing person for a fitness center. She just has no idea what was good practice for websites. And people like this are the ones that make decisions that result in shitty websites being made.
It’s really pretty sad.
You should ask her if it would be appropriate for her to, while a client is working out on a stationary bicycle, for her to get in his face and yell, “BUY OUR NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS!” while waving her arms all around. And she’ll stay there until he punches her.
Then maybe she’ll get the point.
I just giggled out loud. That’d be absolutely hilarious and straight to the point.