Excellently Constructed Websites

Want to see an excellently constructed website? As a writer I found one of my favorite writers: (Paulo Coelho) has a site that could inspire anyone who wants to create a more humanistic presence on the Web.

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

M6.Net

http://www.m6.net

Jesse S. Somer is a human who wants to help uncover the underlying unifying power that lies in the future of the Internet.

---

Business Opportunity for Graphic Designers

As a graphic designer, you are sitting on a gold... Read More

Why Hire a Professional to Design Your Web Site?

Creating an appealing, functional, and effective Web site is much... Read More

User Experience and Search Engines: If Your Home Page Could Only Talk

Dear web site visitor.I can't tell you how glad I... Read More

Why Web Pages Appear in the Wrong Location after Uploading to my Website?

If your are a new web designer, you may face... Read More

Tips on How to Design a Great Site

Have you ever walked pass a shop that, for some... Read More

Usability Lessons from the Hospital

Usability isn't only for Web design. It's also applicable in... Read More

Bad Design Characteristics For A Website

Making a poorly designed website is one of the easiest... Read More

The Right Trigger Words

CNN.com's designers have gone out of their way to make... Read More

How Not To Get Web Design Work

I get the occasional web design lead from my website.... Read More

Are You Driving Away Potential Customers?

When a prospect lands on your website will he or... Read More

Integrating Advertising into Your Web Design

If you are going to be placing ads on your... Read More

Five Common Web Design Mistakes

There are often many mistakes encountered when creating a webpage... Read More

Keep It Simple, Stupid: The Beauty of a Clean Cut Website

Don't knock it; "Keep It Simple, Stupid" is a great... Read More

Click Here

See, works every time. Seriously now, for some reason people... Read More

Mini Site or Content-based Web Site?

Are you in a dilemma whether to create a mini... Read More

Hexadecimal Color Notation on the Web

When designing elements for your webpage, you will often be... Read More

Offshore Web Design and Development - Use Great Opportunities

Sooner or later every small or medium business owner realizes... Read More

Ten Tips For Your Web Site Home Page

1. Loading time:try to be below 20kbless number of imagesspecify... Read More

How to Make Your Site Attractive to Potential Link Partners

Every now and then, I receive a link exchange request... Read More

Why Choose A Professional Web Designer?

It seems that almost every Tom Dick and Harry do... Read More

Caveat Scriptor: Use the Advice of Those Who Know Before You Build a Site

~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets... Read More

Make Your Web Site User-Friendly

You can create a website that attracts customers, not repels... Read More

Website Maintenance: What Does it Take to Manage Your Website?

Every action has a beginning phase where you launch your... Read More

Why You Should Use CSS

It seems more and more webmasters are using CSS for... Read More

Internet Tip of the Week: First Impressions

First impressions are extremely important if you hope to do... Read More

Creating Personal Web Sites

This is a two-part article about creating a web site... Read More

Shameless Flashers - Using Flash Tools To Create Spectacular Websites

Flash is a powerful technology that can help you create... Read More

Plugging the Dreaded World Wide Web Black Hole is Just the First Step

You have created your custom error page so now all... Read More

So You?re Hiring a Web Designer?You Have the Right to Demand these 7 Perks

Whether you're hiring a designer who has created 10 sites... Read More

Using CCS to Eliminate Tables

CSS or Cascading Style Sheets has opened up tremendous possibilities... Read More

Breathe New Life Into Your Half-dead Website By Using Words That Sell

This article may come as a surprise to you.Especially since... Read More

Website Design: Color Me Blue

Chris, a new consulting client, asked me to help him... Read More

Increase Sales on Your Website! Use Graphics!

How many times have you clicked on a website only... Read More