Web Design from scratch

Praise

• This is the best introductory computer book that I have read. Whenever I need to learn a new computer system, language or technology, I like to begin with a less complex book that isn’t too overwhelming. This is the practice that I have followed over the past 25 years. Over that period of time I have read several introductory and advanced computer texts. In just under a couple hundred pages, the book is concise but not a word is wasted. The book is full of valuable information, suggestions and references to additional information outside of the text.

  The author doesn’t just focus on the basic principles of creating a web page or site. He touches upon topics concerning the planning, design, marketing and composition of a web site that I found most rewarding and valuable in reading the book.

  Mark S. Price (Cincinnati, OH)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

• Could not be better. This is the clearest, most readable technical manual I have ever read. It covers all aspects of web design clearly and thoroughly in simple language.

  J. Butland (UK)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

• I just read this book and was impressed. I’ve been in the business for about 11 years and this book, while more for beginners, will help me with how to explain some basic web things to my clients. It covers a lot of the basics and it is more comprehensive than other books that focus on either the tech side of things, the marketing side of thing, or the graphic/aesthetic sides of things. In this book, you’ll get the basics of design, usability, info architecture, marketing, SEO, and more in an easy to read and scan book. Plus, there are a lot of handy resources included.

  If you’re thinking about getting into web design or if you are starting to work with a web designer or a design firm, this would be a great book to help fill in blanks in the technospeak.

  C. Lawson (Brooklyn, NY)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

• This book was not what I was expecting when I bought it, it was more than I expected. It was easy to read and understand and very informative. I suggest this book for anyone who is at the beginning stages of designing your website.

  Dawn M. Rowe (Anchorage, AK)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

• This book has a chatty, easy style to it. It’s like sitting with the author in the pub and asking for his advice on setting up a website. So, you do get advice and tips on what to look out for and ideas on look and design but only rare references of actual coding but then the title does refer to “web design” not “web creation”.

  If you have successfully created a web page previously in any form at all then this book will probably be too basic, however, the tips and advice are sound and help to clarify what you should be thinking about before you even start to design your website.

  It refers to other sites with useful information several of which I marked for future reference.

  A useful book to read if you really don’t know where to start.

  Cathy Lintern (UK)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

• Before purchasing this book, I had the Teach Yourself Dreamweaver in 24 Hours, but I wanted to be able to tweak the web pages I created, this book is easy to understand and has helped me in more ways than I can imagine. I am using both books together which makes it all a lot less complicated.

  Angela Showunmi (UK)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

• If you are really serious about creating a commercial website & want to know what you need to know in order to achieve this, this book is essential.

  Barbara Poelvoorde (Brussels)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

• I’m no web design expert and although little was new to me from this book, I’ve still found it invaluable and am constantly referring to it. It’s easy to use and attractive. Mostly it will help make sure you don’t forget anything and for beginners it will set you on the right path.

  I think that this book does much more for inspiring beginners to do something more than an ugly squared web page too.

  Name withheld (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia)*

  *This review refers to a previous edition of this text

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Contents

1. Web design 101

   1. World War 3 and the birth of the Internet
   2. What is HTML?
   3. Create stylish sites with CSS
   4. Introducing Javascript
   5. The magic of multimedia
   6. Domain names & servers
   7. Database-driven websites
   8. Should I hire a web designer?
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2. Planning your website

   1. Setting a goal for your site
   2. Understanding your visitors
   3. Check out the competition
   4. What to include on your site
   5. The 3 click rule
   6. 4 types of web page
   7. Creating a sitemap
   8. The essential information
   9. Planning your look-and-feel
   10. 7 steps to a great site
   11. Case study: Know what you’re aiming for
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Who’s this book right for?

• Anyone who wants to learn web design but doesn’t know where to start
• Anyone who’s tried reading other (supposedly “simple”) books on web design but found them heavy going
• Small business owners, who want to create their own website
• Business people who don’t want to create their own website, but need to understand how a website is created, so they can choose a web designer or speak to them knowledgeably
• Students who are taking a course on web design and need a basic introduction
• Schoolteachers and university or college lecturers who want an affordable introduction to web design for their students. (See the unlimited educational license)
• Computer programmers who already know the technical side of things, but want an introduction to designing websites
• Self-taught web designers, looking to make sure there are no major gaps in their knowledge
• Experienced web designers who want a basic introduction to web design to give to their clients, sales team or other members of staff

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What this book doesn’t cover

"Web Design from scratch" is aimed at beginners. After you’ve read it, you’ll have a solid understanding of how a website is created, you’ll understand the different software and programming languages used to create websites and how they fit together, and you’ll have an understanding of how to make sure your site is attractive, easy to use and successful.

The book is not a “how to” guide to developing websites. Specifically, we won’t teach you:

• How to use any specific graphic design software, like Photoshop or Fireworks
• How to use any specific website creation software, like Dreamweaver
• The ins and outs of developing a website with HTML and CSS

If you want a “hands on” guide to creating a website, this isn’t it. “Web Design from scratch” is the book you should read before you read a hands on guide.

If you’re an experienced web designer or developer, we think it’s still worth reading - especially for only £1.50 - as you might find some useful ideas in it, but please don’t be surprised if a lot of the book’s a bit basic for you.

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