About a year ago, a web designer recommended that I read "Content Strategy for the Web" by Kristina Halvorson. Although the designer was very enthusiastic about the book, I felt my nightstand was already overloaded with "must reads," and I politely declined. What a mistake!
There is a bright side. By waiting a year, I was able to read the second edition of "Content Strategy for the Web" by Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach. This book is compelling, entertaining, visionary, instructive, applicable and needed. I'm a Marketing Director, and I've made this required reading for my web team and writers. I've also shared highlights with my boss and my boss' boss.
I'm joyfully spreading the word about the importance of web content. Content needs to be considered at the beginning and throughout the web development process. Good content improves SEO, increases web traffic, establishes your brand, and works with the site design and architecture to create an engaging and satisfying user experience that promotes customer relationships and repeat business. See how important content is?
This book will lead you step-by-step through web content production, process, implementation, and maintenance. The book is very thorough, consistently logical, and surprisingly funny. I suggest you read it with a highlighter, but this is more than a "how to" book. It's a revolution, and it will completely change your view of web development. I would also buy two copies of the book because you will want to share it, and you won't want to give your copy away.