How is the web changing?  How are users’ expectations changing as a result?

More than ever, users want a customizable experience and are looking for information to be delivered in the way they prefer, whether it be via email, google alerts, RSS feeds, Twitter, etc…  It is no longer possible to control how they find you, how they enter your site, or what they seek. 

The content users seek is also changing, depending on the user’s context.  For example, if you are on an iPhone in a taxi on your way to a meeting, perhaps contact information, management bios and directions are the most important content.  If you are researching the company after the meeting, suddenly the information you are seeking has changed drastically. 

Add to that the increasing number of devices that users are using to experience the web.  A recent Nielsen Research study showed that about 5% of North Americans own a tablet computer. 

Just think what these numbers could look like a year from now.

It is almost impossible to give a consistent presentation between these devices.  This makes it that much more important to ensure you are providing a consistent story, a consistent experience and a consistent brand, regardless of the device used. 

What can you do about these changing user expectations?

1.  Stay Current
2. Think of the User
3. Give Them a Choice
4. Simplify
5. Pay Attention 

Over the next month, in a series of posts we will discuss each of these strategies in greater detail.  Stay tuned for next week’s entry: Staying Current on the Web.