Anyway, this is a small rant, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Some things to remember:

You are NOT the ONLY user. This is very important to keep in mind as you develop your site or application. Too many times have gone by where I have forgot to think about someone else using the site other than myself.

Users will do what they normally do. We all have habits when it comes to interacting with software and websites. Try not to reinvent the wheel when creating the process or how something gets done. For instance, we all use email the same way. Folders are on the left, messages subjects are on top, and content below that. There’s no reason to move any of this around.

Test, test, test. Don’t forget to test before, during and after the website is built. You’ll be surprised by the feedback you get along the way and will be glad you knew about early on and not after you release the site to the masses. Testing doesn’t have to be done in closed quarters behind mirrored windows either. Keep it simple. And always test the user in the environment they would normally be in.

Try to apply these tips as you develop your next website or application. You’ll build a better product and have a better reputation from your users. And remember: What the user wants, they get… Or they leave and rarely come back.