As a web consultant, I lead and manage the design of web projects.   So naturally anything that brings “sparks” in regards to strategy interest me. I came across an awesome snippet of in regards to corporate website design.  A simple question was posed on the blog Web Strategy, “What is the future of Corporate Websites in 5 years?” This answer from Chris Smith rocked my world when I read it — so many thoughts came to my mind in regards to user-experience:

“I actually believe in 5 years the “corporate website” as we now it will no longer exist. Gone will be the days of the static brochure site, supported by a “dynamic” sub-branded social community. There will no longer be the “self-service” document download centers, or the video case study hiding the infomercial inside.

I see the corporate website as hub of individuals that become your first point of contact, and guide you through your search for products, service or support. Consider the example of the Apple Retail Store experience and extend that to the web. You are going to the corporate site for a reason. Even casual browsers to a corporate site have a passive agenda. Virtual corporate ambassadors will assist you in your interaction with the company, blurring the lines of sales, CRM, and support, with the use of chat, video feed, guided browsing, VoIP… the list goes on.”

Chris’s insight is right inline with the trend of user-focused web sites that utilize social media to “engage in the conversation“.  Furthermore, this concept is it really isn’t as far off as it may seem.  The web is already integrated as a utilitarian function for our daily lives, why keep the medium passive?  The technology is there can be there.  We’ve all seen “sprinkles” of this on web sites today, like Sprint.com — they ask you if you would like to “begin a live chat” to answer any questions.

This snippet of insight from Chris takes the concept to a new level.  I love it.
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