WebReview: Designing a usable interface comes down to knowing who will be using it. This approach is referred to as User-Centered Design, and following it will improve the usability of your site. It's crucial that you focus on the user and their needs from the outset, and keep this in mind throughout the project. Without early and continual focus on the user, you run the risk of discovering usability problems late in the game, when changes are expensive and time consuming. The lesson is simple—identify the target audience of a site as soon as you start thinking about designing it. (2001-08-05)