I really enjoyed Patti Seybold’s recent post on findability, and I have to agree that this, if not the top priority, should be in the top three for large companies in 2008.

Her view is that companies that excel online typically:

1. Prioritize search, navigation, and findability as a core competency.

2. Invest in people, skills, and technology to continually improve the quality and reach of search and navigation for their company’s Web presence and cross-channel customer experience.

3. Invest personal time and energy in ensuring high-quality search and navigation results on all their companies’ Web properties and e-enabled products (software, services, content).

I would like to tag on to Patti’s thinking by adding that these initiatives are not only beneficial inside a site, but search and navigation done right will drive traffic to your site [SEO], engage customers, and lead to viral benefits through great experiences.

- Brian