User-Centered Interface Design

Some may consider that user evaluation is a "luxury" - but you may do well to consider the cost of NOT incorporating any user evaluation/involvement. Well documented examples of commercial websites that have failed are legion, often because the "designers" simply designed for themselves or their clients, ignoring their target audience.This book offers practical advice that enables web designers to satisfy the people that really matter - the users. It is a very good example of academic research translated into everyday practice.

A "user friendly' and practical guide to designing or transforming personal or professional interactive websites, John Cato's User-Centered Web Design specifically focuses on designing for the end-user. A concise, readable text presents a comprehensive overview, practical advice, proven methodology, ideas and advice for insuring that final web designs meet the needs of both the client and the end-user. Strongly recommended for the novice web designer, User-Centered Web Design will also prove an invaluable reference for even the more experienced web master in tweaking websites for maximum effectiveness and ease of use by site visitors.

This book by John Cato offers a great set of examples on how to move the the process of user-centered development for websites. The book is filled with examples that help developers, designers, and managers get a grasp of the steps, thought process, interaction with users, process, and documentation that is greatly helpful in building a product the intended audience uses. Cato includes helpful lists, advice, and points out common problems along with instruction for correcting them.