Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites That Work [Paperback]

Susan C Daffron (Author), James H. Byrd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2006

If you've thought about starting an online business or augmenting your existing business with an online presence, you've probably been assaulted by hype. Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites That Work cuts through the clutter with the proven strategies and techniques you need to know to earn a decent income online. It's like having your own ecommerce consultant right by your side, explaining things in straightforward terms, without a lot of "geek speak." The advice is based on the authors' real-world experience in advising clients, creating Web sites, and operating their own online businesses since 1997.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites That Work gives business owners the tips, techniques, and information they need to get an effective Web site online. When it comes to ecommerce, knowledge is your best defense. If you understand the basics of how a Web site works, the developers, designers, and financial institutions you're dealing with in the process can't talk you into buying technology or services that you don't need or won't do the job.

In Web Business Success the authors explain: how to decide when it is better to take the "do it yourself" approach and when it's time to outsource; how to screen Web developers; how to plan a sales-generating Web site before spending money on design or development; the ins and outs of online payment; and how to market the site and keep visitors coming back. Authors Susan Daffron and James Byrd wrote "Web Business Success" after years of working with clients who had negative experiences with prior Web developers. After re-developing many sites, the authors realized that their clients had made these costly mistakes earlier simply because of lack of information.

Susan Daffron has been a writer and graphic designer since 1989. She taught herself HTML and hand-coded her first Web site around 1996. Susan is the author of more than 70 articles that have appeared in national magazines, 250 newspaper articles, online software training, software books, a cookbook, and book chapters.

James Byrd has been a programmer since 1985. Along with his work for his own company, he also was a Senior Internet Developer and then Internet Development Manager for a $100 million ecommerce Web site (and several back-end systems) at women's clothing retailer Coldwater Creek. During his tenure he managed a team of programmers, developed customer loyalty and credit card programs, and helped keep Coldwater's ecommerce site (spanning four server farms) up, running, and making sales for several years.

"Web Business Success" explains the basics of how a Web site works in easy-to-understand terms. It teaches readers how to communicate and negotiate when dealing with Web developers and designers so they do not get talked into buying technology or services that they do not need, or will not do the job. It also includes a complete index and a glossary of terms.

From the Author

Our names are James Byrd and Susan Daffron and we own Logical Expressions, Inc. a company that has been helping people build Web sites since 1997, with literally hundreds of sites to our credit.

We wrote Web Business Success after years of work with many clients who had appalling experiences with their previous Web developers. These folks came to us after spending a lot of money on Web developers that just plain didn't know what they were doing.

We've helped business owners when they: · Were so upset and embarrassed about the state of their site that they actually wouldn't hand out business cards that had their Web site address on it. · Spent a whole lot of money on a site just plain didn't work. The crummy "content management" script that had been foisted on them by their Web developer was old, poorly integrated, and buggy. The site couldn't even do basic things like process email. · Couldn't find their own site using any search engine. (And neither could anyone else, including their customers!) We wrote Web Business Success because we don't want any of these expensive mistakes to happen to you!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Logical Expressions, Inc. (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974924504
• ISBN-13: 978-0974924502
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #919,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Daffron is the president of Logical Expressions, Inc., a book and software publishing company in Sandpoint, Idaho.

She has authored 12 books and has a unique perspective on the ever-changing print-on-demand and book publishing industries, with a background in writing, editing, graphic design, and Web site development. She has been in publishing since 1988.

A recognized editorial and self-publishing expert, Susan is the award-winning author of:

* Funds to the Rescue: 101 Fundraising Ideas for Humane and Animal Rescue Groups (ISBN: 978-0-9749245-9-5; LCCN: 2009905962)
* Publishize: How to Quickly and Affordably Self-Publish a Book That Promotes Your Expertise (ISBN: 978-0-9749245-8-8; LCCN-2008910208)
* Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites that Work - coauthor with James H. Byrd (ISBN: 978-0-9749245-0-2; LCCN-2006909228)
* VeganSuccess: Scrumptious, Healthy Vegan Recipes for Busy People - coauthor with James H. Byrd (ISBN: 978-0-9749245-1-9; LCCN-2006907834)
* Happy Hound: Develop a Great Relationship with Your Adopted Dog or Puppy (ISBN: 978-0-9749245-2-6; LCCN-2006909898)
* Happy Tabby: Develop a Great Relationship with Your Adopted Cat or Kitten (ISBN: 978-0-9749245-3-3; LCCN-2007906436)
* Logical Tips for Mastering Your Computer: Quick Shortcuts, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques to Help You Use Your Computer More Effectively (ISBN:978-0-9749245-5-7, LCCN:2007909558)
* Logical Tips for Mastering Microsoft Office: Quick Shortcuts, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques to Help You Use Microsoft Office More Effectively (ISBN:978-0-9749245-6-4, LCCN:2007909559)
* Logical Tips for Mastering Microsoft Windows: Quick Shortcuts, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques to Help You Use Microsoft Windows More Effectively (ISBN:978-0-9749245-7-1, LCCN:2007909560)
* How to Use PowerPoint 2000 (ISBN: 978-0672315299)
* Microsoft Office Expert Solutions - contributing author - wrote the chapters on Microsoft Word (ISBN: 978-0789703910)

In addition to her books, Susan has written more than 70 national magazine articles, 200 newspaper articles, about 1,200 online articles, and an online software training course.

Susan is also the President and Founder of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals (NAPRP) an association that offers tools and information to help people working in humane organizations save more lives. After adopting her pets, Susan became interested in pet care and humane issues.

She is the president of the Small Publishers Artists and Writers Network (spawn.org) which is a nonprofit association that offers resources and information for people working in publishing.

In addition to her writing experience, Susan has more than 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, and designer of magazines, newsletters, books and other book-length documents such as users guides and manuals. She was awarded the Most Valuable Professional designation from Microsoft in 1996 for her expertise in working with long documents in Microsoft Word.

Susan is the co-creator of a writing and creativity program called IdeaWeaver, publishes a publishing newsletter called Publishize, and organizes the annual Self-Publishers Online Conference.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is written for people wondering HOW to get an Internet presence or HOW to get their business online., August 26, 2007

By 

Jeff Lippincott "JLIPPIN" (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites That Work (Paperback)

I loved this book. I rank it right up there with another book on the subject I like very much: The Web-Savvy Writer (ISBN: 0977830403). What I liked so much about this book is how it tells the authors' story of how they themselves moved their business online. One of the authors is a writer and the other is an IT professional. They earn their livelihood online for the most part and they have shared how they made the move to self-employment using their Internet connection and Web hosting.

The book cuts through most of the hype most authors write about concerning Web sites. And from page one on the authors build rapport with the reader and you learn to trust just about every word they say. Since I use Frontpage to build Web pages, and the authors advise against using it, I don't buy into all their advice. But I can see where they are coming from, even though I don't agree with their point of view. The book has the following six chapters and a glossary:

1. Introduction
2. Creating Your First Site
3. Getting Your Site Online
4. Promoting Your Site
5. Creating an eCommerce Site
6. Business Operations and Practices

I would have liked the book better if it had covered as much on graphics programs as it did on WYSIWYG Web page programs. When I first started designing and building Web sites back in 1998 I found Frontpage to be very easy to use in building sites. The hardest part learning that program was figuring out how to use it so I didn't need Frontpage Extensions on the Web servers I used. That wasn't so difficult. However, I was not very skilled at using graphics software: Image Composer, Photopaint, Paintshop, and finally Photoshop. Graphic files are VERY important when trying to make your Web site attractive to surfers. And I think it would have been nice if the authors had said just a little bit more about the subject than they did.

I also enjoyed reading that the authors self publish this book using Print on Demand (POD) technology. Somewhat recently I read a book that explains how to do that economically. If you are interested, then take a look at Aiming at Amazon (ISBN: 093849743X). All in all, this is a great book for any entrepreneur to read and devour. 5 stars!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for designing an ecommerce Web site, December 6, 2006

By 

Barbara Bouchet "Executive Coach and Leadersh... (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites That Work (Paperback)

I recently revised my Web site with a new design, content and ecommerce features. Web Business Success clarified many options I wasn't aware of and helped guide me through the maze so I could make the right choices for this stage of my ecommerce business. I especially appreciated the information on hosting, search engine optimization, and ecommerce options.

The book is very user friendly, clear and has a minimum of technical jargon. My Web site is better, was created in less time and with less expense due to the very practical support that Web Business Success provided. I recommend it to anyone who needs a Web site that is designed to support financial transactions. It is an excellent guide both for hiring others or dipping into the world of do-it-yourself Web design.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great no-nonsense guide to doing business on the Web, January 31, 2007

By 

Steve Weber "author of ETSY 101: SELL YOUR CR... (Northern Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites That Work (Paperback)

I've read a lot of books about doing business online, and I've never read a better one than this -- it's well-written and packed with practical advice. I especially appreciated that it had no geek-speak, it's written in clear English.

Whether you are only now considering an Internet business or you launched one years ago, this is a handy reference of all the critical information you need. It cuts through the hype and gives you the essentials about creating a site, promoting it, and making sure you've got the proper strategy.

I was glad to see that the authors advocate a highly ethical approach to online ventures -- I agree with them that's the key to success if you're in this for the long haul.

No matter what the nature of your business, you'll do well to pick up a copy of "Web Business Success." You'll find plenty of information that you can use to understand and improve your online business.