Designing the Digital Experience: How to Use EXPERIENCE DESIGN Tools & Techniques to Build Websites Customers Love

by David Lee King

Written for creative, tech-savvy, and business-minded individuals who want to increase the accessibility of their websites, this sensible guidebook explains the concepts behind designing experiences on the internet. From helping customers quickly find information and make their purchases to clearly communicating needs and interests, this resource will not only develop consumer loyalty but will encourage them to spread the word about the sites they frequent. Focusing on the three key areas of structure, community, and customers, designers will enable clients to focus on their own goals rather than on difficulties in navigating. Also included are tips on how to generate conversations with blogs, wikis, and podcasting to create a personal touch.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Website Design, Web

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2008

About the author

David Lee King is the Digital Services Director at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, where he plans, implements, and experiments with emerging technology trends. He speaks internationally about emerging trends, website management, digital experience, and social media, and has been published in many library-related journals. David was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for 2008. His newest book, Face2Face: Using Facebook, Twitter, and Other Social Media Tools to Create Great Customer Connections, was published in September. David maintains a blog at http://www.davidleeking.com.

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems that I have hit Web 2.0 burnout. Though I love the idea of it, I am sick of hearing about it. I know what a blog, wiki, RSS feed is, for God's sake! (Sorry. Calming down now.)

Favorite Points:

Make sure visitors to your site can SEARCH, BROWSE or ASK from every page.

The idea that social networking provides experience through community, participation, a sense of familiarity and connections.

I love that he suggests creating dynamic subject guides and using Delicious to suggest websites. Done!

Four user approaches to searching:

EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCHING: When visitors are looking for everything pertaining to a particular subject or term

EXPLORATORY SEEKING: When they're looking for a specific item

FINDING THE RIGHT THING: When they're looking for a specific item

REFINDING: When they're hunting for something they've already found once but need again

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave me a few things to think about and research, but nothing earth-shattering.

[Rebecca Schneider · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed this. For those interested in library websites, I would recommend his articles published in Library Technology Reports instead; they're much meatier.