User experience design encompasses all interactions an individual has with a company and its services and products. An exemplary experience meets current customer needs, anticipates future needs, exceeds customer expectations, sends a clear and strategic message, and delights the customer with innovative solutions.
Fundamentally, user experience design involves the following:
Research and Strategy - understanding the users and their underlying needs
Information Architecture (IA) - site structure and flow
Interaction Design (IxD) - the ways in which a user engages with the site
Usability Evaluation - ensuring comprehension and ease-of-use