Sally Hurley, VIPdesk’s SVP, Strategic Development sent us these top 10 rules she uses to make sure executives will be able to easily navigate VIPdesk's site:

1. Call it what it is. Provide clear navigation descriptions -- as opposed to creative (i.e. Dining vs. Eating Out.)

2. Let customers get to where they need to go in 3 clicks or fewer. Provide a clear path for next steps.

3. Provide easy access to self-service. Allow busy people to access information and then seek assistance if they can't find what they need.

4. Do not force a lengthy log in. If you are an ASP have Clients pass customer information to save customers time from having to log in on two sites.

5. Do not force outbound marketing to customers. Allow customers to choose (i.e. opt-in.)

6. Design above the fold. Make sure that what you want customers to see is above the fold so that customers do not have to scroll.

7. Design site to fill browser. Design for minimum width, but allow for site to be "stretchy." This will allow customers to see more information on their individual screens.

8. Provide several navigation aides, as different customers use different techniques to move throughout the site.

9. If you are providing a site within a site, don't build in heavy left navigation-- as it may conflict with Clients' sites.

10. Provide customers with a way to get assistance and provide feedback.

Bottom line: Keep it simple; make sure that it is intuitive; less is more!