What do I need to do to make a really great cup of coffee?

I 100% love coffee. The smell, the taste, everything! I like my coffee strong and robust. My favorite is plain, good, simple coffee. I am not so much into all the extra flavoring and whipped cream. A drop of skimmed milk does me just fine.

Getting to the point…. I buy a lot of coffee when I am out during the day. In the morning and the weekends, I make coffee at home. It is nowhere near as nice as the coffee which I can get when I’m out. I have a regular machine, which I clean out well after each use. (I heard the secret to good coffee was to keep the machine immaculate). I don’t use cheap coffee, but I buy it already ground and packaged.

It isn’t bad coffee. It is just average coffee. I would like to know your tips or secrets on making a truly great cup of coffee!