[.ca] How to Start a Business Website (ISBN 0380797135)

If re-written, might satisfy a TOTAL novice:
I bought this book a couple of years ago and read it in early 2002. My disappointment was due in large part (I thought) to developments in the industry since publication. But I notice that it's still the same edition being sold. Problems: 1. Very superficial exploration of issues; does not in any way give you a thorough understanding of the subject 2. Nor is it a "how to" guide. 3. The dot com crash highlights the book's lack of objectivity - generally bullish on getting into a web business, but no strategic insight into how to sustain it. It may be OK for those with almost no knowledge of the internet *if* it is updated in a new edition. If, however, you keep up with the news and have delved far enough into Amazon to be able to read this review, then you don't need the book. Thank you Amazon for providing the "look inside" function which unfortunately did not exist when I bought Mr. Powers' book.

for the absolute beginner:
This book has almost no useful information for anyone with the slightest familiarity with a computer and the internet. By virtue of its title, I thought I was going to learn the basic nuts and bolts of setting up my own business website. Instead it's only advice was to hire a professional to do it.

Not Really...:
This book had very little useful information for me, a person who's interested in starting his own, personal website that offers a few items or services commercially. Instead, the book tends to wallow in the pop-psychology of "doing business on the Internet." For instance, the author talks about the anxieties some folks (potential customers) have about making electronic purchases on the web... repeatedly... and ends up using a significant portion of the book to express what could just as effectively have been written in a paragraph or two.

It's got exactly what I need!:
After reading 4 or 5 other books on this subject, I found this book able to fill in the blank spots in my understanding, and will be using this as the definitive text in establishing my business on-line. I simply do not understand how the reviewers that thought it was shallow and not very informative could say that, if they really read it.

How to start a business website:
This book should be named "Why to Start a Business Website" I am very disapointed. Example: Chapter 6 "Building Your Website" basically says hire a website designer and what qualifications that person should have. Thanks for that info., but isn't that common sense! Overall I think this book is fluff writen by someone who is not interested in helping an individual start a website.