Nicely done Nathan! Please keep us informed about the commercial side of this, like you did with the earlier book. It's very interesting to follow.
Show HN: Designing Web Applications
31–40 of 114 posts
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#32I like how you put the Facebook, FreshBooks and Mailchimp logos on there in the same style other websites use when saying who uses their product.
Some initial feedback was that people didn't know what I meant by web application. So they asked that I provide examples.
Seriously?
I mean seriously?
You're supposed to be a UX designer. And you honestly can't see how that looks like social proof, that you are visually implying that these companies use your product?
I want this book so bad. But your contact form is awful. You can't design the simplest form on the web. You don't actually seem to have any actual experience in designing web apps, working for one unidentified startup.
I'm afraid I'd be spunking my money.
The screen shots are awful and show you can't actually design a good UX, take this as an example:
http://nathanbarry.com/wp-content/themes/nathan-refreshed/im...
Who puts a cancel button there? Seriously, that's the worst cancel button placement I've ever seen.
UX is very different from graphic design. You seem to be a graphic designer, not an interaction designer.
This book is one I've wanted for ever But it's got all the signs of being a stinker, the blind leading the blind.
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#33Hey everyone, this is my latest book on designing web applications that are easy to use. I've spent a ton of time not only on the book itself, but also on the video tutorials and interviews. Interviews are included with: Ryan Singer from 37signals, Sacha Greif from Folyo, Trent Walton from Paravel, Sahil Lavingia from Gumroad, Jarod Furgeson from WebWaitr, Brennan Dunn from Planscope, Patrick Mackenzie from Kalzumeus…
Great job! Congratulations on shipping!
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#34Earlier quoted context omitted.
Some initial feedback was that people didn't know what I meant by web application. So they asked that I provide examples.
Seriously? I mean seriously? You're supposed to be a UX designer. And you honestly can't see how that looks like social proof, that you are visually implying that these companies use your product? I want this book so bad. But your contact form is awful. You can't design the simplest form on the web. You don't actually seem to have any actual experience in designing web apps, working for one unidentified startup. I'm…
Congratulations, you're an asshole!
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#35My questions as someone learning web development and always searching for new (quality) resources: Who are you? And why should I pay you $200?
> Previously I led the software design team at a local startup, but in the last year I have been working independently designing and developing my own apps.
After seeing the $200 price tag, I expected to read something along the lines of "My web apps have been used by over X million users", along with a few examples. Or maybe "I built the websites for these well known companies". Since that isn't the case, the next thing I looked for to establish your credibility was reviews. Hmm, also missing.
For the price of the book alone ($29), I could watch 100+ hours of tutorials on a site like Lynda or Tuts+ from a variety of developers with similar experience. I'm having a hard time verifying that the value of the resources matches the price tag.
Sorry if this seems overly critical, figured you might want the honest opinion of a hesitant customer who could potentially be converted. I may still buy one of the packages after I read through your blog some more.
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#36I like how you put the Facebook, FreshBooks and Mailchimp logos on there in the same style other websites use when saying who uses their product.
I don't know if you actually liked this or not, but I did. It displayed a deep knowledge of how to manipulate design elements to implant an idea in a user's head.
There's nothing dishonest about it, it's just a design element.
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#37The "complete package" gave me sticker shock, so much that I almost closed the page then and there. It was only out of curiosity as to why the $200 price tag was worthwhile that I even kept reading to find more purchase options. It put a bad taste in my mouth, honestly, and I'm left feeling pretty confused by why you won't let me cherry pick my own interview+book package. I'm just having trouble seeing the dollar val…
Thanks for the feedback. I am always trying to improve my content, sites, and marketing.
My target market is people who are serious about web applications. In an industry where it isn't hard to charge $100-250 an hour for design or development work, $200 for everything included doesn't seem like a lot.
But I understand that for some people (students) that can be a ton of money, so I am also selling the book by itself. I have no intention of competing with standard eBook prices ($5 or $10?). It's just not worth the time it takes to put together a book.
I am really curious to see how people react to the pricing order (highest to lowest). So thanks for your feedback on that in particular!
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
Some initial feedback was that people didn't know what I meant by web application. So they asked that I provide examples.
Seriously? I mean seriously? You're supposed to be a UX designer. And you honestly can't see how that looks like social proof, that you are visually implying that these companies use your product? I want this book so bad. But your contact form is awful. You can't design the simplest form on the web. You don't actually seem to have any actual experience in designing web apps, working for one unidentified startup. I'm…
Are you drunk? What a vile, illogical, and empty rant.
OP didn't say he doesn't think it looks like social proof. He stated that it wasn't intended to function as social proof, and gave his motives for placing the logos. Seriously, I mean seriously, you couldn't have read that properly? You're supposed to be a HN poster, and you honestly can't read a post properly?
Instead of repeatedly insulting the guy, yelling about how he can't do stuff, and providing examples of his incompetence, why don't you show/tell how things could be improved?
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#39Another thought: That's a really long sales page. Have you found people respond well to that? It's well designed, but wow is it long...
Long sales pages convert. There are a few reasons, one is that long pages give you the chance to pre-empt and answer each and every question or concern that the customer might have. The other reason is that merely by spending a long time reading your sales page, that person has made an "investment" (of their time) in what you're offering, and now they want to get something for that investment.
Re: Show HN: Designing Web Applications
#40I was casually browsing the site, but honestly it wasn't until I came back to the HN comments that I realized there was more than one package with more than one price.