Internet Marketing Books Not to Miss

Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, Steve Krug

This book has become a bible for a generation of web developers and graphic designers that are looking for the right way to build websites.

While I don't agree with everything in the book, it is a highly educational (and quick) read, which provides a number of best practices for effective design. Specifically addressing issues such as navigation systems, page layout, visual hierarchy, and text length, Krug provides a series of though-provoking ideas and concepts.

Highly readable and well illustrated, with numerous screenshots and diagrams, Don't Make Me Think is an essential read for anyone that hopes to create a more effective web experience.

Web Design for ROI, Loveday & Niehaus

Building on the foundation provided by the likes of Steve Krug, Loveday and Niehaus do a nice job of explaining various graphic design elements for websites that will either detract from, or contribute to conversion.

As well as illustrating some general concepts like using sub-heads, the design of buttons, the authors do a fairly detailed break down of different page types: home pages, category pages, product detail pages, etc. Some of these will be of particular interest to the e-commerce web marketer.

With a great number of full color screenshot examples from all over the web, Web Design for ROI should be required reading for every graphic designer and web marketer.

Winning Results with Google AdWords, Andrew Goodman

While this isn't the only 'Google AdWords 101' guide out there, I think it's the best.

Winning Results with Google AdWords suffers from some of the same problems as other similar books - full chapters on Google's history, etc. It also is probably not enough of a step-by-step guide for most AdWords newbies, but even with those flaws it's a great resource.

If you're committed to not using an agency, then this is perhaps the best Google AdWords How-To guide published to date.

Submit Now: Designing Persuasive Websites, Andrew Chak

I don't know Andrew Chak, but I'd like to. Submit Now is exactly the sort of book that is needed by many web developers, designers, and e-entrepreneurs. Chak's advice is accessible and practical, and also thought provoking.

Dividing web visitors into four types - Browsers, Evaluators, Transactors, and Customers, Chak provides simple, effective advice to enhance your website for each of these visitor types. I'm not sure that I entirely agree with this division of visitor types, but I heartily agree that this sort of thinking is what is required to make websites more effective.

Submit Now is the sort of book that you'll instantly want to read a second time, with a high-lighter and a note-pad on hand.