Be Inspired to Create Better Websites

Being a writer, when I was asked to do some research into what makes a good website, of course I straightaway went to check out all of my favorite authors. After sifting through a few standard sites I remembered to look at one of my all time respected writers-Paulo Coelho. Judging by how many books he has sold he is obviously a lot of people's favorite, and his website is exactly what you'd want to keep the fans happy.

If any of you are familiar with Coelho's work you will know how prolific he has become all over the world. People love the simplicity of his stories about the spiritual quests of all people and the idea that the magical happens in everybody's lives, even the so-called 'ordinary, normal' person. He to me comes across as a perfect example of the power of human connection, his books having affected millions across all national boundaries. As an Internet writer, to me he symbolizes the possibilities lying in the future of the Web. Like a good book, the Internet too can cross all imagined ideas of separation bringing people from all walks of life together in the context of positive thought and action.

Coelho's website's homepage starts off with a simple black screen, and a large photo of the man smiling-a very humanistic approach to this new medium. It then has many different sections as well as links to relevant sites, even his own web log (on-line journal) entitled, " Warrior of the Light Online". I think I could spend innumerable hours reading over his personal thoughts and pieces of information he has integrated from elsewhere. Having this added website of an on-line diary gives the site even more humanistic qualities, as any person can truly connect with Coelho's innermost feelings and thoughts.

The sections on the main site are separated into categories like: Biography, Paulo Coelho Institute, Photo Gallery, Road to Santiago, Agenda, Books, Editions, Free downloads, Meditation, TV on-line (videos), Warrior of Light, To journalists, FAQ, Message for the author, and Recommend this site. We are talking about a very extensive and well thought out site. Any type of individual or business, especially writers, could learn a lot from this example.

Just to touch on a few aspects of the site's categories I'll focus on the one's I had a good look at. The biography was excellent, an extremely in-depth look at Coelho's life from childhood until present day. No holes barred, he's not ashamed to tell of all his low points as well as the usual list of one's achievements. It is very honest, he tells of how his parents institutionalized him several times thinking he was crazy, as well as stories of being tortured as a political prisoner and of his 'dark' experiences with drugs and black magic. This humanistic perspective gives the site a much more personal feel as well as eliciting reactions in readers, much more powerful than a bland website that solely focuses on a writer's books and how to purchase them.

The photo gallery is another dimension I have not witnessed on many other sites. He again gives vision to his whole life with photos included from areas entitled, Childhood, Transition, The crazy years, 2000/2001, 2002, and Today. You see, this website isn't just a shop front or a facade for a business. It gives the individual an opportunity to share his identity with the whole world, a courageous act only taken by people who aren't afraid to put themselves on the line, sharing their spirits with all of humanity. This is the key to why the website is so powerful, one needs to take risks to achieve success in life.

I could write extensively on the other categories of the site but I think you could just go and check them out yourself. Me telling you what is a good website isn't going to teach you much, you've got to experience things for yourself to truly gain the knowledge you are looking for. Maybe you'll be so inspired, one day it'll be your website I'm writing about!

About The Author

Jesse S. Somer is a human who wants to help uncover the underlying unifying power that lies in the future of the Internet. http://www.m6.net

---

Top Ten Fonts for Website Design

The top ten fonts for website design might change in... Read More

Content - the Key to Long Term Success

Every day internet marketers are inundated with the latest fad... Read More

Is Your Web Site Turning Visitors Away?

One of the biggest problems with Web sites is that... Read More

What to Avoid to Make Your Website Design Effective

The effective design is this one, which is maximum simplified,... Read More

Build Web Pages from the Top Left Corner Down

There are two important reasons to build your website from... Read More

7 Reasons Why Using CSS is a Must

CSS is a new option for website designers that have... Read More

Speed Up Or Lose Out! How To Improve Your Websites Download Speed

So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More

Immutable Laws Of Effective Navigation - Part 1

The first immutable law of effective navigation: It's gotta be... Read More

10 Web Site Design And Writing No-Nos

1. Don't load your web site with a lot of... Read More

Graphic Terms- The Basics Part I

You're almost set. The content of your website, e-book, or... Read More

Quality Graphics for your Web Site

For most people graphic design does not come easy. Unfortunately... Read More

Website Promotion and Design Tips

Are you thinking that it is about time your small... Read More

Your Free Guide To Obtain A Cheap Web Design Quote

Website design is a very competitive area and there is... Read More

Speed Up Or Lose Out! How To Improve Your Websites Download Speed

So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More

Hiring The Right Webmaster

The Questions You Should Be Asking ? The Answers You... Read More

Website Savvy: 10 Key Steps to Turn Your Customers ON!

"How to turn "slightly interested" customers into "I've got to... Read More

Tableless Web Designs: Why I Switched

Since I made the switch 6 months ago to a... Read More

Web Designing Tips

Easy That's how you'd like life to be, right? Especially... Read More

What I Look For In a Website

As my occupation is that of a proofreader, one of... Read More

Make Your Site Quick To Load!

The time it takes to load your site can make... Read More

You Need RSS, Atom, and ROR/RDF Codes on Your Website--Now You Need Google Sitemap as Well!

Do you have a website? If so, you need an... Read More

How Important is Content to a Successful Website

Content is the most important part of any website.The Internet... Read More

.htaccess to Mask Errors on Your Website

The .htaccess file is a control file located in your... Read More

Finger Eating Garage Door Reveals Breakthrough Web Design and Linking Strategy

Last Thursday afternoon I was working on a garage door... Read More

Free Online Tools to Design (and Maintain) Your Website

These days, it seems that everyone has a website. Unfortunately,... Read More

7 Benefits of HTML Validation

You may not bother with html validation or writing simple... Read More

The Technology May Change, But Human Nature Remains The Same

Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More

Imitation, The Smartest Form Of Flattery

Unless you are an inventor, most likely you are selling... Read More

The Golden Rule Of Website Building

Copyright 2005 Robert EvansSetting yourself up to earn a steady... Read More

No Matr How Goud The Infomation...

Typos, misspellings, hideous grammar, exclamation overkill and run-on sentences all... Read More

Why Ugly Sites Sell More Than Pretty Ones

What the heck is going on lately? Most internet websites... Read More

Choosing Your Web Design

We would all like to have the best looking website,... Read More

Website promotion Ideas: 10 Web Site Add-Ons To Increase Your Traffic

If you're not getting a lot of traffic to your... Read More