If a search function isn't available in any website - I honestly cannot be bothered with finding what information I'm looking for.

Simple and clear navigation with the ability to search a website. Also a site map is always useful as well as easy to read interface, just the standards, nothing too fancy :)

As a user I would look for easier navigation and try to find information as quickly as possible without the requirement to fill out multiple forms. I would love to see more video stuff of testimonials or how the product/service works etc.

Must be aesthetically pleasing whilst at the same time easy to navigate i.e. find what you're looking for and be able to get there quickly.

From a design perspective I look for something clean and well spaced with a logical hierarchy of elements.
When it comes to content, relevance is king. If I have found a resource useful, I then need web 2.0 to come in with feeds and social bookmarking.
RSS and Twitter are essential in delivering the content I want where ever I may be, leaving just enough room for serendipity.

That's great, thanks for the initial feedback. Information finding and general presentation seem to be some key points.

What about domain names eg. www.bwired.com.au? The length/level of description/ease to remember/etc? Do we pay much attention to "easy to understand URL's" like for example, http://www.bwired.com.au/coredna/modules (not a real link by the way!)? I know that personally, I don't even pay attention to the address nowadays because I just go to google and search for what I'm looking for - that generally gets me what I want.

Am I alone here or is this a shared practice? Do we still use bookmarks?

I definately still use bookmarks, although when im out or not at my home based computer and need to check something i'd prefer to be able to remember a simple web address to check what i want. especially if i happen to be in a rush, Im not going to wait for google to load it and if it doesnt happen to be the first few on the list i'd have to find it aswell, headache much?!. Anyway, as for the websites themselves, a simple, straight forward, easy to navigate and still looks quite pleasing to the eyes website is what id prefer. It doesnt need to be so fancy, because sometimes even fancy confuses the heck out of you. =)

p.s. Nice blog by the way, i really wanted to vent about that. thankyou.

interactivity, balance of colours, high quality images that stand out from the rest... visually sexy

This is a very basic question which you would think involves common sense however it is amazing how many people still get it so so wrong...

Easy to navigate, informative, seachable... it answers the target audience's questions yet makes them want more...
It visually looks good and clean, company colours utilised appropriately...

An attractive professional and informative website gives you a chance to stand out from your competitors and instills confidence in your end users.

As a designer. the aesthetics of a page is very important to me. However this doesn't mean it has to be filled with colors and images. It has to look neat. I don't like superfluous touches, though. I believe in functionality and saying as little as possible to get your point across.

Mark - I love your work, they should name you guru instead. I am always coming back to the blogs just to read your latest thoughts for the day... truly inspirational.
So to answer your question, image image image. If it looks good, most of the time it feels good too...

haha thanks Mandy. It's great to know I have a fan.

Thanks to all that has contributed. As much as this question has been posed many a time, it is still important to note and witness the evolution in the trends when it comes user satisfaction (or to some regard, the lack of trend variation).

Perhaps, in this technologically-adapted society, users already know what they want, they just want it quicker and easier.

This then takes me to my next blog post: "Is mobile access important to you?"

I would look for clean navigation, portfolio, what service they provide and Live support (for any quick clarifications)

The most annoying part of surfing the net is the number of sites that still use a fixed layout instead of a fluid one. Using fixed layout really marks the site owner/designer as totally disregarding its users.

How long before designers come to realise that how I organise "my" screen viewing real estate is up to me and not to them?

I look for easy navigation i find if i cant find what i am looking for i wont waste time and i click off the site.

A good tip for everyone:

If your bounce rate is over 45% i would personally look at this on your site as this may be the problem.