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Joy Gems Newsletter

A Conversation With Stefan Mischook Of Killersites.com

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By Bud Kraus
bud@joyofcode.com
Joy Of Code
Creator And Instructor

v5 i2
Originally Published: January 23, 2009

Whether it's 2 PM or 2 AM, if you have a question about web design - about XHTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP and more - you can turn for help at the Web Design Forums of Killersites.com.

But killersites.com is more than just a help board site for web designers and developers. It's a place to learn web design from one of the best, Stefan Mischook. He's one of the best because he is someone who gets web design big time!! As a web design instructor, I have taken much inspiration from his perspective.

I recently had a conversation (such as conversations are these days) with Stefan. Here's how it went.

Bud Kraus: How did you get into web design? Where did you get your training to build killersites.com?

Stefan Mischook: I built my first web site in 1994. So I learned the new technology as it came out. I actually had one of the first websites on the Web with photos. In those days, most of the Web was text only and there were practically no commercial websites - compared to today. So, I trained myself because there was no such thing as a web design class back then.

BK: How did you get search terms like "learn web design" to rank at the top of google? That's very impressive. Is it related to the fact that you have a very active discussion forum - Killersites Forum - that helps people with design and development questions?

SM: If you build a site people like, the search engine ranking will come. All those search engine optimization tricks are just that ... tricks that may only have, say, a 5% impact on things. At least, in my experience.

At this time, between the sites, I get about 500,000 visits/month which isn't bad for a niche site.

BK: I should say! In other words, you're saying that SEO is really about building something that people will like. That's the way the search bots and people will find you.

BK: You're an advocate of web designers learning PHP. Tell us why. Normally front end developers shy away from learning a server side scripting language.

SM: They shy away because they are afraid of code or simply have no interest. The fact of the matter is that learning a little PHP can be very useful ... even for front end designers/developers.

BK: I know. I'm trying to teach myself PHP - partly because you've inspired me to do so. It's no walk in the park, but it's something I really want to learn at least on some basic level.

BK:On another note, does it still make sense to be able to code XHTML and CSS by hand in this age of web page templates?

SM: You need to be able to edit the templates!

BK: That's one good reason, but there are many others - like being able to customize formatted emails like this Joy Gem Newsletter.

BK: How does killersites.com make any money - you give out so much free information about making web sites.

SM: Video sales, hosting, and some ads.

BK: Thank you, Stefan. How can a Joy Gems Newsletter reader contact you and subscribe to your occasional newsletter?<

SM: Go to killersites.com. The form is in the footer of the page. Expect a lot of new videos and other major changes within the next few months. We are ramping up.

BK: Thanks, Stefan, for these few minutes. I encourage my Joy Gems readers to check you out at killersites.com.