Whether considering an initial Web investment or a redesign of an existing Web initiative, a crucial step in your process should always be to address the key components that help to create a positive user experience. These components include: Copywriting, Information Architecture, Interface Design, Information Design, Workflow, and Cross-platform Compatibility.

This is a great book to introduce business people to information architecture, for architects to reinforce their skills, and for web designers to principles to apply to site design. The second edition has more information and is more in depth than the first, and is well worth purchasing.

User-Centered Design.hmm.seems intuitive, doesn't it? Obviously, if we're launching something onto the World Wide Web, we must be expecting someone to use it — duh. Though this may be true, many companies are missing the mark and their audience and, consequently, their business objectives by failing to successfully integrate the user. A User-Centered Design approach can create successes by merging business and user objectives to deliver a service that users value, while generating a benefit for the business. In fact, studies show that with a User-Centered Design you could realize returns of $10 to $100 for every $1 you invest in making your site easier to use.

Back in March of 2003, Nick Finck and I stunned the Web design world at the South by Southwest Interactive conference in Austin. How? Well, despite a late night spent chowing down fish tacos and swilling Shiner bock, we actually managed to show up early Sunday morning to deliver our presentation.