Web Design for Dummies by Lisa Lopuck Synopsis A professional website is distinguished by the fact that behind it is a sophisticated concept with well planned navigation so that the target group wants to stay on the site. “Web Design for Dummies” explains how to design and develop the right design for the intended audience. It gives a brief introduction to programming, the use of typography and colors. The book is illustrated throughout in color and contains many examples and suggestions.

Review 1 The book's title is misleading and gives a false impression about its content. This is not a step-by-step guide that asks the reader to take a magnifying glass and look at examples with meticulous care. Who wants to learn HTML, CSS, or PHP should be looking for other books as they are mentioned only in passing. This is rather a book that describes the general chronological order of processes that are necessary to create a successful commercial website. These include the persons involved, the idea, sketch, concept, target audience, project plan, site maps, wireframes, user testing (usability, accessibility), design, choice of colors, image processing, design and layout using HTML and CSS, dynamic generation with PHP, databases, and finally the publication. This requires the reader to have advance knowledge and is aimed at those who already have experience with creating websites and want to know what opportunities are available to earn money. The author gives helpful tips on the topics mentioned, not only how to do it but also what can go wrong. The text uses a conversational tone so it is fun and casual and supplemented by numerous images, screenshots, diagrams and symbols. For me, this book is an interesting addition and I'll look into it often. (Posted by Baron Munchausen)

Review 2 This is not the best book on web design that I've read and one wonders who exactly it was written for. Beginners will be frustrated with the lack of detail in areas where they need it, whilst experienced web designers will have come across much of this stuff before. The idea of a target audience makes for an interesting approach to web design but in practice a website can attract visitors with a whole range of motives, sometimes conflicting, so a flexible web design is often called for. (Posted by Web Design Shrewsbury)

Review 3 The book is very funny and well written and very understandable. But for beginners it is not much help. It is all just written very superficially, with little tips given to all parts of the process described, all points that must be watched out for, etc. But there is nothing in it for practice. Now I know in theory where to start with Web design but to practice this I remain still at the beginning. I was hoping that the book was an introduction to all areas, or at least what is done in practice... Sorry, just dry theory and nothing more. (Posted by Jacques)