Most software is designed to be complex enough. Adding complexity to the buying process just makes it a nightmare for customers. Here is the latest example from Adobe’s Creative Suite 5 product page. Via John Gruber.
Complexity is the number one enemy of software designers.
This story is not unique to Adobe. Over the past few months, we have been surveying small business software packages to meet the needs of one of our small business clients. After hours of web research, we finally reached the web sites of some software providers. And we were presented with a similar matrix of options to choose from. It was almost impossible for us to figure out what the right solution is. And then we had to call the sales people and waste time on the phone listening to their pitch. Why do things have to be so difficult?