The part about cutting the center out of the fusible web does make a difference in how the finished piece looks. If you leave it whole, it ends of "pasted" to the background. If you cut the center out before pressing, it has a nice little "puff" to the middle of it and looks more like it was hand sewn.
I like the cutting out, known as "windowing", the fusible. I like the result much better. Also keeps the quilt top softer overall.