Product Description

"Web site design. Sounds a bit mysterious and scary doesn't it? As if only a few chosen individuals have been ordained into some techno brotherhood that speak and write in a different language, punctuated by Java scripts, dreamweavers, CSSs and HTML code. You don't have to have a BSc in Nerdiness or know what Bill Gates had for breakfast to get to grips with web design. Why stick to the tired and out-of-date site you currently have? Ordinary non-techy folk just like you can have a web site that looks great, but more importantly, does exactly what you want it to do without having to learn a programming language. Let me show you how. In Web Sites that Work I reveal all my secrets to help you re-energise or create from scratch your dream site!"- Jon Smith What's it about? This book won't teach you how to build your own website. There are a million and a half technical manuals on the market that will do just that if you're so inclined. What Jon can teach you is how to identify what's wrong with your existing web site, how to go about getting it changed, how to make it look fabulous and at the same time functions good. In "Web Sites that Work", Jon remarkably reveals: how to assess what you currently have - what works and what doesn't how to get the most from search engines; graphic devices that won't cause your visitors to lob their PC out of the window; techniques to create a community; the best way to make the technology work for you; how to reflect your personality or business through the website; how to sell, inform and market; and, what copy works best for your market? The web evolves and changes virtually daily. "Web Sites that Work" can help you stay in touch, help you communicate your ideas to your visitors and IT people in plain language. Put simply, 52 brilliant ideas to re-energise your website!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #434578 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From the Inside Flap
HAVE AN IDEA ON US…
Write down ten things someone visiting your site may want to learn about you, your products or your company. Now look at your homepage, are these ten items all addressed or at least available through the navigation? If not, you’ll need to re-visit and re-energise your site. You only have one chance to hook your user.

About the Author
Jon Smith was part of the start-up team for Amazon.co.uk, Kitbag.com and The Florist Exchange. As a consultant for the venture capital firm Chase Episode 1, he was tasked with improving and researching business plans submitted by companies looking for investment. In 2002 he and his wife launched Toytopia an online specialist toyshop and since 2003 Jon has been managing director of Inpress, an organisation set up to provide sales, marketing and technical support to independent publishers for which he received three years funding from Arts Council England.

Customer Reviews

Leading you to improve your website
Another good book from the 52 brilliant ideas series. The format of these books works well. You can choose to read them cover to cover, or just to dip into the chapters that interest you most. Each chapter is fairly short, typically just 3 or 4 pages with a couple of FAQ type queries after each.

Jon Smith's experience oozes out in every chapter. He was part of the startup team for Amazon, and has created and/or ran several successful e-businesses.

This book was published in 2005, it is slightly dated but not to any great detriment. I have read two more of his books and have given those the full 5-star rating (Getting into bed with Google & Smarter business start-ups). Interestingly, I don't think this book mentions Google once!

I have turned the corners of many pages and am sure that I will be referring back to this book in the future, there's a lot of practical and useful information within it and I have no doubt that his tips will be effective.

Once again, the quality of this book is excellent and the images used throughout are relevant and eye-catching.

Jon's use of humour makes the book very readable, but I do wonder whether he might do better to use clearer (less humorous) chapter titles, as it is not always obvious from the title what the chapter might contain; "Is that it?", "By whatever means necessary", "Who's the daddy?", "Chained to the kitchen sink", "I'm a believer", and finally "Sticky buns"!

Fortunately, the index in the front should help to explain what exactly is covered within each chapter.

Having said that, it's a worthwhile read filled with lots of really useful advice.

Web Site Hit!
Another fantastic guide from Jon Smith (also see The Bloke's Guide To Pregnancy).

I am not familiar with the Infinite Ideas range itself so could not compare however, I do know a good read when I see one.

The concept is simple: 52 tips to create and/or improve your website to make it more appealing to your customers and attract new visitors. A straightforward index allows you to select the chapters that are most relevant to your situation without making you read from cover to cover to divine the info you need. Read what you need for now, go away and apply it, come back later and carry on with the next part. Each chapter comes with a review of what you set out to achieve and whether you did.

The delivery is simple: Jon's ability to break his subject matter down into the common denominator makes him appealing and accessible to anyone. His direct and chatty style is also laden with humour to lighten the load and actually make it an enjoyable read rather than a chore as is the case with many guides.

Now all I have to do is use his advice to see if it all works.