Web Design (and internet marketing success) is tied to this idea:
Humans Love Convenience
Interface Techniques
- Elements on demand
- Specialized controls
- Shadows around modal windows
- Empty states that tell you what to do
- Pressed button states
- Sign-up page links from the log-in page
- Context-sensitive navigation
- More emphasis on key functions
- Embedded video
smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/12/10-useful-web-application-interface-techniques
goodusability.co.uk/2009/01/12/easy-as-123