Professional Web Design – our first eBook
The book contains a selection of our best articles about professional Web design and the business side of web development. It contains 10 already published articles and 2 exclusive, newly written pieces. The book costs only $9.90.
This e-book contains a selection of the best articles about professional Web design that have been published on Smashing Magazine in 2009 and 2010. The articles have been carefully edited and prepared for the PDF version; some screenshots and links were removed to make the book easier to read and print out.
- Download a free PDF sample (0.5 Mb),
- Download a free ePUB sample (ZIP, 0.4 Mb),
- Download a free Mobipocket sample (ZIP, 0.6 Mb)
This book presents guidelines for professional Web development, including communicating with clients, creating a road map to a successful portfolio, rules for professional networking and tips on designing user interfaces for business Web applications. The book shares expert advice, and it also helps you learn how to respond effectively to design criticism, use storytelling for a better user experience and apply color theory to your professional designs.
Buy now and download PDF right away!
Everybody who buys the book supports Smashing Magazine and helps us to keep producing free high quality content. This book is not protected by DRM. It is available exclusively here, in the Smashing Shop. Please respect our work and the hard efforts of our writers. If you received this book from a source other than the Smashing Shop, please support us by purchasing your copy in our online store.
Table of Contents
On 242 pages you will read:
- Harsh Truths About Corporate Websites (Paul Boag)
- Portfolio Design Study: Design Patterns and Current Practices (Vitaly Friedman)
- Creating A Successful Online Portfolio (Sean Hodge)
- Better User Experience With Storytelling (Francisco Inchauste)
- Designing User Interfaces For Business Web Applications (Janko Jovanovic)
- Progressive Enhancement And Standards Do Not Limit Web Design (new article by Christian Heilmann)
- Color Theory for Professional Designers (Cameron Chapman)
- Is John The Client Dense or Are You Failing Him? (Paul Boag)
- How To Identify and Deal With Different Types Of Clients (Robert Bowen)
- How To Respond Effectively To Design Criticism (Andrew Follett)
- Web Designer’s Guide to Professional Networking (new article by Steven Snell)
- Group Interview: Expert Advice For Students and Young Web Designers (Steven Snell)
Please also spread the word on Twitter and share on Facebook. We appreciate your support!
Amber Dean
March 23rd, 2010 1:42 amJust bought this, I for one use Smashing magazine daily and it has been a huge support, and a brilliant source for a web designer like me. Best of luck. You guys ROCK.
Lukas
March 23rd, 2010 1:46 amBook ordered. Not this one only. I have ordered the wordpress as well. And congratulations for the courage you have guys.
I know a lot of people my not like my idea, but I think you should make people pay for this website. I wouldn’t mind paying £2-£3 a month for subscription – the information on this website are worth much more than that, and I think a lot of people think that way.
For those who do not want to pay display just a few paragraphs of each article – they will soon see it is worth spending one coffee a month for the knowledge you offer.
You are doing really magnificent job there and I wish you all the best.
kiwus
March 23rd, 2010 1:46 amThis is called “being in business” which also incorporates risk. If you manage company poorly, don’t run asking for money. I myself had to make some people redundant in order to keep the rest employed.
Nasip
March 23rd, 2010 1:48 amSorry to hear that, smashing. I hope things will be OK the soonest.
Sure will buy the eBook, it is the least we can do!
Wish you many many years to come!
Cheers!
Smashing Editorial
March 23rd, 2010 2:01 amI am truly sorry that so many people got the wrong idea about what we have done. We respect the design community and we are aware that we are just doing our job, but sometimes it’s just necessary to do what you have to do. Yesterday was one of those days.
You see, if you think that we drowning in money and just want to get richer, you are just wrong. We do not put the money in our pockets, instead we are developing Smashing Magazine further and permanently work on improving the quality of the magazine. You see, we have a strict editorial policy: we do not publish sponsored posts. We try to keeps ads to the minimum so that the bills still can be paid. All articles are revised many times. We have experts checking articles before they go live. We have high-profile designers and developers writing exclusively for us. We invest more and more time and resources in the content. I don’t know why so many readers have such a wrong idea about us. Actually, we are just doing our job.
I am truly sorry that some members of the design community misunderstood our move. I can see now where you guys are coming from. Still, we appreciate all the support we get, you guys are remarkable. We will do our best to keep delivering high quality content in the future.
Tyrone May
March 23rd, 2010 2:52 amSM, There is no shame in was you are doing.
Most of these designers know how to run a business or should, and they are just twisting the knife in. It’s their moment of glory because you are at the top and now are finding things a little financially difficult.
I don’t see anything wrong with how your running this site. The content is of very high standards.
You need to understand, it is human nature to kick a man while he’s down. That’s all they are doing.
Have you considered setting up an online design university, just thought.
Brian
March 25th, 2010 6:50 amI’m probably different than many who have posted here, in the sense that I think you ought to treat Smashing Magazine like an enterprise first, and a service to the design community second. Building a loyal following is going to be important either way, and being driven by profit margins will only push you to find new ways to deliver interesting content for your readers. The best businesses can find that balance, and without compromising the integrity of the services provided. There are several examples within your market space where it has been shown that if you want to make a decent living wage, and provide quality free content, then you have to supplement that with paid services. That can mean anything from acquiring venture capital to increasing ad revenue, or even a premium subscription. It might also mean selling Smashing Magazine, and being accountable to shareholders. However, if you decide that a business enterprise like I described is not in your best interest, then I suggest scaling back your operation. As a programmer and entrepreneur, I get how much it costs to run a Web site of this magnitude, and it is not sustainable without a solid revenue stream. I wish you the best of luck, and I am excited to be a witness to your progress and success.
And
March 23rd, 2010 2:01 amYep, bought it. Would have bought the Smashing book as well but when converted to £s it was way too expensive.
Deen
March 23rd, 2010 2:02 amThe topic really made me shocked.
Is that possible for you to share, why this happened in your business? This could really help us, please share.
Jasper Kennis
March 23rd, 2010 2:04 am“invested more money and other resources into more profound, in-depth articles ” while just three days ago an article, “The Beauty of India: 50 Amazing Photos”… Come on now…
Tell you what, I won’t be buying your book, your previous book wasn’t that whooping either. Still hope you make it trough, and please, write a real “in-depth” article about costumer manipulation and effective story telling, ’cause your the best at it.
But ask my opinion, a business should never go begging for money from their target market, that’s what banks are for.
Duncan
March 23rd, 2010 2:13 amI think I do support your site well already. I click through some of the ads, I bought the Smashing Mag book and I’ve also bought your ebook.
I however strongly disagree to the method you’ve recently used, by placing ads on the site and selling books you are already clearly monitizing the site – it’s no longer really free content.
I would have more than likely considered buying the ebook anyway if it was emailed to me and was also visible on the site as a normal posting.
I don’t think effectively holding people at ransom was a good idea and I hope you don’t take that approach again.
Surely you must have forseen the issues you are currently facing, the ebook must have been planned some time ago.
How do I know I will not be asked to fork out another $10 or $20 again next week?
Nicole Bauer
March 23rd, 2010 2:15 amI’ll definetly buy the book, not only because the content is great (it actually is!), but also because I’m reading your articles every day and I think everything I’ve learned from them is worth way more than 10 $. So if only half of the subscribers would buy the book we could be sure that we won’t loose this great site!
Bradley
March 23rd, 2010 2:18 amI don’t really care if I read the pdf or not, I bought it because websites like this are important. You guys do a great job. Sometimes a basic inspiration article just hits the spot.
People who complain will complain, you’ll always get those.
Keep it up!
Adit Gupta
March 23rd, 2010 2:26 amWe all have gained a lot from Smashing Magazine. So, it’s our turn now to help them.It’s very easy to point finger at others. Just try to provide free quality content for a considerable amount of time and you will realize what it takes to run a design blog of this scale. We SHOULD help them for all the awesome content they have given us over the years. Go on SM, we are with you :)
liebesiche
March 23rd, 2010 2:27 amI don’t want to be cynical and I really like the work you do here but have a look at this before you bring yourselves into financial troubles the next time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_plan
Or is your plea a part of your plan ;-)
scott
March 23rd, 2010 2:29 amHappy to buy a copy and help you guys out. The site is fantastic and I have leart so much from it, worth far mnore to me than the price of the book.
Re: the people complaining – no one is making you do anything, I think it’s refreshing that people are honest enough to ask for help when they need it. If you dont want to help then dont but if you use the site as much as I and many other people do and get what we get for FREE then I think they have every right to ask.
Good luck, really hope things work out for you.
Martin Neumann
March 23rd, 2010 2:32 amA very bold move, indeed, the way you went about it. You’re putting your whole reputation on the line – i just hope you’ve got a strong and dedicated community.
But… I believe in giving back – I’ve used so many ideas (and learned quite a bit) from reading SM articles over the years and purchasing this ebook is the best way to say Thanks for all the quality along to way.
Good luck guys.
Chris
March 23rd, 2010 2:33 amAlthough The Smashing Book wasn’t quite that what I hoped for I just bought your E-book to support you. I’m not really interested in it’s content but with my contribution I’d like to make sure the Smashing Magazine keeps the same high quality ressource It has been in the past.
Lucian E.
March 23rd, 2010 2:36 amHow about redesigning that logo? That would increase the incomes and would give you a more professional look…
DaveL
March 23rd, 2010 2:43 amYep, that would bring on billions !
Varun
March 23rd, 2010 2:37 amAlthough i don’t want you guys to go under, yours is a great and helpful site BUT you do deserve some butt kicking as well. How the hell did you let this happen. Come on guys you can’t let us down by behaving irresponsibly. You guide us on how to run our ventures and you yourself goffed up, thats not good publicity you have to admit.
I hope you get out of this mess, be way more disciplined next time like you tell us to be.
DaveL
March 23rd, 2010 2:41 amI was surprised to hear that there are financial problems; as i understood it was mainly community-driven. Smells like a few bad decisions and open questions need to fill in urgently. I hope that Smashing stays annyway and will find an proper channel to gain money. But i hope not that online classes are created for premium or not-premium users; that will divide the community. I think more adds, adds in newsletters, more e-books, adds in e-books, full advertisements as posts, paid product reviews.
Sadly; i don’t like e-books; (10 hours designer & screen watching will be enought now)
But i want to support you anyway so i bought the book a few minutes ago.
Big support from Belgium, and keep on doing what you do best: making great posts.
Dave
Jeroen L.
March 23rd, 2010 2:50 amAlright, just bought your book (not the e-book, not really into that) hope that helps a bit.
Keep on going guys! Love the site and the articles!
Bart
March 23rd, 2010 2:57 amWhy not also make a print version with lulu.com or something? I immediately had bought a printed version. I think a lot of people don’t like ebooks because they watch the screen more than 8 hours a day. Reading a paper version of a book is much easier.
Bart
March 23rd, 2010 2:57 am//
Benjamin Netter
March 23rd, 2010 2:59 amAs the others, I would prefer to donate some money to you than buying a book I don’t want. You should really consider adding a DONATE button!
bennythemink
March 23rd, 2010 3:01 amI think you are losing sales due to your shopping cart functionality (or lack of functionality)!!!
I tried to purchase the ebook but “Ireland” is not in the default list of countries. You can select it from the secondary shop list but it wipes your shopping cart info and brings you to shop.smashingmagazine.com which for some reason does not have have the eBook listed?!
I’m not complaining for the sake of complaining but hope that you fix this issue to increase sales.
Im broke and really shouldn’t touch my credit card again but I love the site and want to help out :D
Zokxx
March 23rd, 2010 3:02 amJust bought the book, and it looks great! I love your magg so I decide to help. Hope this contribution from comunity will be enough. Good luck!
Kemal Delalic
March 23rd, 2010 3:07 am“Ordered” it, I guess I’ll get a mail confirming my payment with a link to the ebook ( hopefully ).
SM is a daily source of inspiration for many of us, I’ve been visiting it since 2008 and don’t intend to stop. I don’t really care if owners are driving Ferrari’s or whatever, if they do – they deserved it. If you publish a new book ( SMbook #2), I’ll be the first one to buy it cause the first one was such an inspiration for me, incredible (read it twice, probably will for the third time, just for inspiration on what to do with my current / new websites).
Best regards,
Kemal
kevin
March 23rd, 2010 3:10 amWhat a huge load of BS. That indeed was a bold move. You have really pushed your users away begging like that. I agree that adding a donate button asking for handouts would have been better. There are PLENTY of other quality resources online that I will visit from now own that don’t shut down their content to beg for money. What a waste of time…. Sorry my friends, but you have lost me as a viewer… I don’t want to be forced to buy ebooks and have them shoved down my throat. I will take my reading somewhere else.
Martin
March 23rd, 2010 3:14 amAlready placed the order! I also bought the Smashing Book last year. I love to support quality websites like smashingmagazine.com ! keep up the great work!
webverwalter
March 23rd, 2010 3:16 amCourageous step of you. Really seems already to be a tricky situation for you. I just bought the ebook. Hope it helps you – and us. All the best!
Laas
March 23rd, 2010 3:38 amKeep up the really good work, I love the magazine. I just bought the book to support you, looks good, and I agree that you should place a donation button too. Good luck!
Riccardo
March 23rd, 2010 3:47 amThere’s a way to obtain a true-no-digital book? I truly HATE ebooks and I’ll pay more than 30€ to have a paper one.
wily chandra
March 23rd, 2010 3:50 amI love your content, will help you purchasing the ebook. Keep the good job guys.
Henrik
March 23rd, 2010 3:52 amSorry to hear about your financial situation. I will support you by buying the book, of course, and I hope that you guys can find other more long-term focused solutions as well. Good luck guys and keep up the great work.
/H
Drew Clarke
March 23rd, 2010 3:58 amIf the quality was guaranteed and it wasn’t the thin end of a wedge, I’d be happy to subscribe a couple of $ per month to get premium access to the content, say 6 months before everybody else.
Tell me what nobody else knows and I’ve got an advantage – I’d like that.
Andrés Ayala
March 23rd, 2010 4:03 amPls everyone support SM. Don’t think about the content in the eBook, think how much you’ve learned from this site. This content is much better that the old and not-so-smart teachers in college give to us. SM is the loyal friend you have showing the lastest information about we all love to do. Web Design
It is because we know the excellent quality of content SM provides that some inspirational post like the one about India at first sight looks bad, but they’re not by any means. They are a pause, a little break to us. Like your friend at office asking you to go for a latte at starbucks.
Think about it.
Andrés Ayala
Colombia
Henrik
March 23rd, 2010 4:09 amGreat book, got me a copy. This site and all its content has been valuable to me so, of course I would get the book. Those that do not like the book or site: make something better if you can!
Massimiliano
March 23rd, 2010 4:27 amMessage received, I just bought the printed book!
I follow you from long time and it’s a pleasure to contribute. I have grown professionally through your articles.
Please do not stop writing articles!
Warren Buffet
March 23rd, 2010 4:40 amhmm, Adwords!? Is that used on this site? What about introducing a sponsor program where a company could sponsor an article? Maybe this is against your beliefes but I try to think about financial resources you could tap. Or place a “DONATE” button on this site. Every little thing helps.
Chad
March 23rd, 2010 4:50 amVery BOLD move – and whether or not you get more money from it, you will get a lot more traffic, I am sure.
I am very surprised by this move as well, SM has helped me in the past, and I look forward to SM helping me in the future.
I understand the public, because SM is probably the biggest design site in the world. It’s hard to think that SM can’t make money, buy placing a new ad placement on the site, I am sure that would be enough to pay a writer. I am only guess but I am sure you can get $1000/month ad on there easily. If you added 2 – I think that is a good starting point. All the readers understand that you have to make money to keep it alive. Place some ads up there, you won’t get as much backlash as you have with this move.
I think it’s great that you are making and selling e-books, but DON’T force people to buy them. I am sure if you would have posted like usual – I am sure you would have sold a bunch. You could always try a marketing campaign for your e-books. A lot of other blogs, successfully sell their e-books, SM can do it too.
I hope SM sticks around, and I look forward to the new projects. In conclusion I disagree with this move, but I will stand by SM through thick and thin.
Zvonko
March 23rd, 2010 4:54 amHi guys,
I would like to help, but you US guys always forget about us from countries in which PayPal is not an option, and I don’t have a credit card. Please add Moneybookers and the whole world could buy the book.
Thanks
Dan
March 23rd, 2010 4:57 amI’ll get one, smashing.
You should consider creating a designer’s toolbar, branded specifically by smashing mag. From there, the possibilities are endless.
ravindra
March 23rd, 2010 4:59 amSome people trying to illegally publish your E-book please do something immediately … i m really fan of SM. please do something immediately…
Retheesh
March 23rd, 2010 5:03 amHope you guys will recover soon… Long Live SM
Ryan
March 23rd, 2010 5:08 amI agree with #125 – show us your balance sheet and then I’ll consider buying some items from you.
Zé Pedro
March 23rd, 2010 5:27 amJust made a post about this… Hope it helps.
http://blog.hypeler.com/post/Sometimes-Free-isnt-free.aspx
Best of luck and hope you can keep up with the great work
Wilmer
March 23rd, 2010 5:29 amThis is a beautiful case of transparent communication. Because of this transparancy I chose to support you! Keep up the good work. Thanks for all the efford and good luck!
Chanon
March 23rd, 2010 5:44 amI knew SM a month ago. First week, I put you in my RSS reader. Few week after, I purchased 2 printed books. And I’m going to purchase eBook right now.
Just let you know that I trust your content. Please keep up great work!
ny
March 23rd, 2010 6:06 amI dont think you have troubles actually, you just want to make more money. See your site, traffic, ads, links, books = money. I pre-order the book to help you, till now, may be 1/2 year, cant remember, I have never seen it, touch it.
Look like scammer!
Ph99Ph
March 23rd, 2010 6:13 amGot also a copy. Great book at a good price.
Lowkase
March 23rd, 2010 6:35 amI tried buying the book a few months a go but the transaction broke down on me. I will try and buy the book one more time and hope that you have improved the transaction flow.
I won’t buy the e-book
This was a very bold move that, if repeated over time, will back fire in your face. You should come up with an alternative donation method or shift your business model before going down this road again, it has left a bad taste in my mouth.
Brayden Styles
March 23rd, 2010 6:36 amFirst off let me say Smashing Magazine is a great place….
I’m sorry to hear about your financial situation, I’ll definitely look at getting that ebook for sure!
Not sure why you would not be getting some sort of ad revenue based on your traffic to this site, maybe your not partnered with the right ad partner…?
Not to be a kill joy but i did post on your Smashing book section a while back that you should of made that book an ebook as i think a lot of people would of purchased it in digital format verses paperback…
Maybe you guys should think about doing what most other sites like this do, is offer so sort of premium section for content like psdtuts+ I always wondered why that was not something you guys were doing?
Peace B
Hope you get it all worked out !!
K
March 23rd, 2010 6:39 amI just bought everything, the e-book and both printed books. The printed books have been on my list for a while, so since you need the $$ now, I figured I’d help. Smashing Magazine has been a great resource for me over the last several months. The advice, tips, tools, tricks, etc. have been incredibly helpful and useful as I complete my day-to-day duties and think about future projects. Thanks for the hard work.
ilman
March 23rd, 2010 6:42 amAs everyone else I am sorry to hear your financial situation. By buying your books its the very least that we can do to help you.
Hope you get out this trouble soon!
Silver Bullet
March 23rd, 2010 6:54 amI don’t mind you guys pushing an ebook, but locking out the content for a day isn’t cool. A simple cookie for those who have seen the ebook ‘ad’ is fine, but a 24 hour lockout isn’t good for anybody.
JJ Nold
March 23rd, 2010 7:02 amOf course I will purchase the e-book to support one of the best Web Design blogs out there!
onepack
March 23rd, 2010 7:10 amI would like to buy the book and the e-book but I don’t see the option to pay with Ideal. Maybe later.. I hope you guys keep on rocking!
shekhar
March 23rd, 2010 7:35 am@SM
I know it hurts a lot when you come to know that finances are not fat enough to support the team. Here are a few quick tips for you:
1.) When you plan to grow , you will need money, Agreed that half of the web works on Freemium Model, but the other half is the one which is actually getting the benefit of this freemium model.
2.)You have already created a “WOW” factor among users, Now its time to monetize it. If you want to continue providing Freemium services of same quality, always have a “PREMIUM” Area which has a higher quality.
3.) Advertising exists only because some one else on the other side of the table has got a Product or a service. Why not own a product/service Yourself. (Atleast you have taken a step in this direction).
4.) Always Inculcate a behaviour of purchasing among your users. This will especially help and lesser people will cry foul when you actually try to sell a product. You can create a Point System so that people can earn points via commenting in Forum/Blog Posts and grab discounts on your Product and services using those points.
All the best in all your future endeavours!!
–
Another SM maniac
Shekhar Suman
Danielle
March 23rd, 2010 7:41 amSmashing Magazine is such a great resource, I’m happy to help out and get a nice ebook in return!
MROCD
March 23rd, 2010 7:41 amHi
I have supported Smashing Magazine for a while and have purchased the Smashing Magazine Book which was an amazing read. But i will have to jump on the negative vibe band wagon for a few reasons.
Smashing Magazine made the choice they made and it has not only cost them as a business but is now costing its readers and followers who are now having to literally pay for it.
One of the many reasons i loved Smashing Magazine was its free content model supported by advertising, but the way you have gone about it with the redirecting of pages was just plain dumb. Not giving readers a choice and forcing our hands is not the way to gather support. If a donation was needed i would of happily given it but the way you have gone about it now to pay for content already published with only 2 exclusives is shocking.
This Exclusive content will be either rushed and half assed or would of been published free for us to read if SM had not run into these difficulties.
I know you most likely dont care about my opinion and im sure every SM fanboy will jump all over this comment but i for one will not be supporting and will removing all feeds to this site.
Thanks for the Articles over the years!
Enver
March 23rd, 2010 7:43 amI wonder what is your office looks like :)
Tschai
March 23rd, 2010 7:59 amWell the SM-community excels in ‘Top 10 ways to …’ posts.
I’m sure someone should be able to write a good ‘Top 10 things SM should/should’nt do to get on track again’.
Hope the best.
Still am confused about the situation.
Really messed up things, if one of the largest design blogs came to this!
Kaplang
March 23rd, 2010 8:10 amI will purchase your ebook :)
If you have a banner with this ebook on I will put it on my blog for you….not sure how much it will help but just trying to help.
Michelle
Tony
March 23rd, 2010 8:13 amI think that you should start a subscription service to part of the site!! That offers exclusive content. I’ a big fan of the site.!!!
Roni
March 28th, 2010 5:17 pmI was about to say the same. Something like Freelance Switch do.
millkins
March 23rd, 2010 8:15 amWhat are the looks for you adding a money-bookers option for purchase? I had to order the smashing book via a friend from NY, is there a chance of paying with MB?
DryIcons
March 23rd, 2010 8:24 amKeep it up!
Matt
March 23rd, 2010 9:10 amYou have helped me out so much, when I needed information, I feel I can spend a few dollars to help you out now, keep rocking SMASHING MAG keep rocking.
Murtaza
March 23rd, 2010 9:12 amThis is what 37signals keep talking over n over but people consider the Jason and David to be arrogant. Personally I think you went in the right direction but instead of a book I will suggest go for some premium content e.g. in the freebie themes release the WP themes to us (who can’t pay) and PSD source files to Premium subscribers.
I would like to request all the experts in this field to come up front and devise a revenue model for SM. Ad support is not enough to grow a business. Or alternatively you should have chose to stay lean and small company
James Brocklehurst
March 23rd, 2010 9:24 amI am sure that you are looking at all the options available to you, and understand that getting readers to make a one-off purchase is a short-term solution.
If you can’t reduce overhead costs in terms of servers or office space, then finding a way of bringing in cheap but quality content is the key.
The ‘Smashing Network’ portal does this to a degree, but ultimately takes visitors off your site and away from your ads.
I am sure that a percentage of your 5 million visitors have something unique and relevant to contribute – how about devising a method (such as a competition or reward scheme) for accessing this?
Another solution would be to use your loyal customer base and the SM brand to support spin-off revenue generating products (that don’t have high material and distribution costs – like books!). What about an iPhone app or something along those lines..?
Murphy Crowson
March 23rd, 2010 9:31 amWaiting for the Amazon Kindle Edition….
Tracy
March 23rd, 2010 9:53 amYour magazine is stupendous. I already own two of your books, but I will buy your ebook and send you a donation too if you tell me how.
Asking for money to do excellent work is hardly what I would call greedy.
Cheers & best of luck
KhadarKhan
March 23rd, 2010 9:54 amAt last I got a chance to buy a product online and of course it is for my benefit. Keep up the good work guys.
ocoleman
March 23rd, 2010 10:33 amcan i get this ebook on my kindle for iPhone?
Dave
March 23rd, 2010 10:41 amPost less content. Charge advertisers more, if you are seeing an increase in traffic. Get the job board marketing going. I have seen site make over $1 millions in jobs postings with less traffic I am sure.
Mr. Tunes
March 23rd, 2010 11:18 amI bought the book to show my support, and to get a good e-book in the process!
klickreflex
March 23rd, 2010 11:40 amNow, that’s an easy decision: helping out one of my favorite web design/development related sites and being rewarded by a nice ebook without stupid drm restrictions that I’m really looking forward to read :)
Thanks and good luck for the time coming!
klickreflex
evodesign
March 23rd, 2010 11:48 amSorry to hear about the difficulties guys; absolutely the best content around for web professionals. Consider your back catalogue of books purchased and best of luck moving forward.
Drai
March 23rd, 2010 11:52 amJust bought all three books! Your website is very important to me, even though I was recently laid off and cash is tight.
What about employing the same model as tutsplus, with a free content site and a membership enhanced site for a low monthly fee. I would definitely buy.
Fabi
March 23rd, 2010 11:59 amI just got the ebook. Always happy to support you guys. :)
Billy
March 23rd, 2010 12:15 pmGreat designers, bad financial managers. Same old story.
And yes, that stunt was lame. Be as creative in cutting costs as you are writing on the blog I would say.
Eike
March 23rd, 2010 12:23 pmBeing a big fan of smashing magazine I bought your ebook right away.
bcrockett
March 23rd, 2010 12:23 pmIt’s too bad people get upset about having to see an ad. But I’m guessing they’d rather see an ad than never see the site again. The content on SM is not only high-quality—it’s free. F-R-E-E. I know everyone these days thinks everything should be free, but the people who are helping us to make our livings probably need to make a living as well.
So- to those with their panties in a bunch:
1- Shut up.
2- Take a deep breath.
3- Buy the book.
4- Buy the Smashing Book.
5- Come back and continue to benefit from the efforts of the Smashing Magazine Team a year from now.
Pep
March 23rd, 2010 12:45 pmJust bought mine and Already got the Smashing Book…
Keep on rockin’ guys ! Your work is really helping all of us.
dave
March 23rd, 2010 12:46 pmJust did! I bought the first two and could not resist buying this one too, you guys have given me a lot! which is practically invaluable and otherwise would have been unaffordable.
Cheers to SM! Love you guys!
All the best!
Giovanni Di Gregorio
March 23rd, 2010 12:53 pmPresent.
Long Life SM!
Manko10
March 23rd, 2010 1:05 pmI’ve also just bought a copy of your book to help you stabilizing your business. I really appreciate your work since the blog post’s quality has achieved its former level again (which it had before the bad “the 40th best X’es” period).
It would’ve been awesome if your eBook had contained more exclusive content but I think supporting you in producing more high quality content in future is worth it. Thanks for all you brought to us so far and I’m looking forward to reading more interesting stuff here on Smashing Magazine.
Chris Kellett
March 23rd, 2010 1:06 pmCheer up guys just bough the book you should do somthing like envato but for resources I check your site out everyday and you publish good stuff.
If you want some ideas that I have for sensible monetisation email me.
doo-fuss
March 23rd, 2010 1:23 pmI had my credit card out and was ready to pay….
#1. 8.95 euro is not $9.90 us….WTF users know this
#2 register an account….screw that let me pay and get out of here.
You guys are great and I probably will buy the book after I’m less pissed off about your stupid payment process. If you want people to help you make it easy on them and streamline your process and UI. You have a pretty discerning client to deal with.
It sounds like you need to read your own book.
Still you guys rock…so I hope this comment is understood as a problem for you to fix
Manko10
March 23rd, 2010 1:39 pmSure, $9.90 is not €8.95, it’s about €7.32 (Smashing actually calculated €7.52) but you have to add 19% sales tax (MwSt) and that’s about €1.40 which is the reason why you have to pay barely €9.00.
Andrés Botero
March 23rd, 2010 1:32 pmI don’t really care what your current financial situation is… I admire what you’ve done, and what you still do, so I bought it immediately. Keep it up!
PS: I already own the book. Bought it on December. :)
yammie
March 23rd, 2010 1:38 pmhow about the smashing book, will this be available in ebook too? i’m willing to buy it. :D
pzaf
March 23rd, 2010 1:47 pmwith no doubt at all!
You offered me so many things and knowledge in the past 2 years (almost), which is the least I can do! (hopefully write and share some articles in the future :) )
Keep it fun and up! ;)
U r the Best!
pS: just noticed it’s only ebook! feel quite dizzy today! hehe
Jurre
March 23rd, 2010 1:51 pmCan you add neteller as a payment option?
Victor Tisnado
March 23rd, 2010 2:15 pmYour articles are really interesting and you guys are helping the community to create a better websites according to the users needs.
I bought the printed Smashing Book few days ago and I will buy the PDF now, I just read the content table and its a “must have” guide that any web designer should have at hand.
Im happy to support you guys with a little contribution.
Seth W
March 23rd, 2010 2:36 pmSmashing Mag has a lot of awesome things going for it… too bad the finances are not up to speed.
I do think there are a million ways to monetize this site that are not annoying to visitors but instead enhance the site.
#1 Provide more resources…. but charge for the really good ones
Having an icon division of your website with most of it being free and some of it being premium or exclusive icons would be a great idea. You already have tons of icons, so just make this the only place to go for icons on the web. Or maybe even have your “network” work their icons into it as well.
#2 Get a Market Going
You’ve got a massive amount of traffic and a great group of followers. I would get your job board going, start a domain name marketplace, and a product marketplace for web design books, videos, courses etc. Kind of a one stop shop for web design.
#3 Kill whats not working or worth it
The only way to expand is to cut off the dead weight. This is hard but an essential element to business growth. What is something that costs lots of money but returns little benefits? Can you totally redesign your advertising structure?
#4 Affiliate marketing for old posts
You get insane amounts of traffic to your old posts still. Once they are a month old stick relevant and appropriate links to useful affiliate products and promotions. Your income will increase and you will also not irritate your readership.
nita
March 23rd, 2010 3:31 pmPlease put up a donation form I want to give you money
Binh Ho
March 23rd, 2010 5:02 pmHow about something as simple as selling Smashing Tees? Surely, there are many dedicated readers who happen to be designers who’d gladly contribute t-shirt designs. I’m not suggesting SM manufacture the shirts themselves (let’s not add more overhead) but use any of the many existing services out there. Heck, with SM’s following, surely in the mid-term, SM could partner up with one of these services.
VAG
March 23rd, 2010 5:06 pmHere in Greece we say this: “Real friends appear at the difficult moments of your life”. So since you’ve been good friends to me so far, it’s time to do again what I’m able to do and buy the eBook. I’ve already bought the Smashing Book and suggested to good friends and bought it too. The least I should do with all this info I’ve taken from your articles is to do this :)
So, cheers and greetings from Greece.
PS: I would like to see some affiliation banners for SM so I can put on my company’s site and my blog. Please do some in various sizes so we can choose from :) This could be helpful for SM if it won’t “crash” your server from the traffic ;)
VAG.
Ben
March 23rd, 2010 5:09 pmJust bought both the printed book and the new ebook.
I understand bad times hits businesses sometimes, no one is spared. It takes a lot of courage for a blog as huge as Smashing Magazine to write this post to ask for help.
If you are running a business, you will understand Smashing Magazine.
Felix
March 23rd, 2010 5:33 pmI will buy this PDF and the Smashing Book tomorrow =).
kimee
March 23rd, 2010 5:41 pmJust ordered ebook~ really looking forward open it now. It’s seems have problem with downloading PDF. Is there anyone who has downloading PDF problem? or it’s not allow to download? please someone help me.
kimee
March 23rd, 2010 5:47 pmOops! I just figured out the problem. It’s explorer 7 problem. tried with Chrome. It works find. Thanks for great work! ^^
Kelly
March 23rd, 2010 7:19 pmI have been reading the website for years now. I’m not a professional web designer, I love to come here and read it and I can hardly believe how good the articles are. I work for a non-profit and I understand what it is like to have a business model that doesn’t produce a ton of cash (if any in my case). There is nothing wrong with asking for money. Shutting people out for a day is a great way to get your point across, however you made many people mad and probably isn’t the best thing to do to increase reader loyalty.
Seriously look at the books though, problems don’t tend to go away on their own, you either fix the problem, or fail. If you do find a solution, it could be huge, you could come up with a model that could be used everywhere, from traditional news papers to new online magazines (like SM). You guys are really on the cusp of something, and the community needs to find a solution, it will help everyone out in the future, and will ensure that great websites like this one are published for a long time into the future. Good luck.