If you've read my infinite 42 blog then you'll be familiar with one of my favorite topics on web design - creating something that is truly amazing and worth remembering. So many people throw up a website with a couple of pictures and some boring text and expect to reach #1 on Google after a week.
It doesn't really work like that! I am inspired by truly great products and I think that Eragon and Eldest are fine examples of this. Imagine what you could do with your site if you included this amount of imagination or storytelling.

What if your visitors couldn't wait to click through to the next page?

What if they didn't just visit for one minute, but stayed looking at your pages for 5 or even 10 minutes? Do you think that would make a difference?

What if you invented some words in your site and these became known and recognized by the public. Do you think this would help your site traffic?

Hopefully this is enough to make you think a little more about this...

I've built several successful websites and have written a few of my favorite tips in my guide Squeeze More Results From Your Website. It's free, and you can sign up for a copy here. Just click on the Orange.

When you've read my guide I'll be in touch by email to see how your website design is progressing. I'd love to hear how you are doing!

Brisingr features pretty frequently in both of the previous books. What does it mean? It's the Ancient magic word for fire and is used by Eragon (the lead character) to create and control fire.

By this point in the story Eragon has grown from a young farm boy into a powerful Dragon Rider. Riding on the back of his dragon Saphira he helps the forces of the Varden in battle against the evil King Galbatorix. (You can tell he's evil because he's played by John Malkovitch in the the movie)

The significance and mystery of the word Brisingr gets even deeper in the 3rd book.

I'm not suggesting you craft a 2000-page bestselling trilogy. There are some wonderful techniques and ideas that you can use in your designs though.

Paolini invented many Ancient language words which are used throughout the books.

The story goes that if you know the name of an object in the Ancient Language then you are able to control it. Paolini created many words:

fire: brisingr
Dragon Rider: Shur'tugal
blood: blödh
air: vindr
forest: welden
sword: sverd

These words are woven into the story and are spoken by the characters. Some, like Brisingr, become so familiar to the reader that they recognize the term even outside the book! So calling the 3rd installment Brisingr is genius - all the existing fans know exactly what it's about

It's not that hard to invent a new word. Check out the One I created recently. It's a little harder to make the word appear genuine and part of an everyday language.

Can you bring this kind of inspiration and creativity to your web design. How about inventing a word for your website URL? Something catchy and surprising and easy to remember?

If you're not convinced about this then think about some of the other successful websites with created words - like Google, Squidoo and Furl. Do you see what I mean? A little bit of creativity can go a long way

There are some other great features of the stories:

Get Yourself a Map
You knew I would bring this up didn't you?

Is Your Website Part of a Trilogy?
Can you show you're part of something bigger?

Great Storytelling
Can you tell a good story?

Iconic Images
Do you have stunning, recognizable images?

Passion
Choose one thing and do it really, really well

I'll be writing some more about these areas over the next few weeks. Talk about a cliffhanger!!

In the meantime to keep you busy, what's the one thing that you can do to get started on your website Brisingr? Read on to the end...

The first two books feature a map of the land of Alagaesia in the cover. I'll bet the 3rd book does too. The story progresses from the beginning in the mysterious Spine, to the quiet farm town of Carvahall, and then on to the Southern city of Dras-Leona and beyond.

As the plot develops you find yourself checking on the locations on the map. It gives you a good sense of geography - you know where you are and can imagine where you are heading. But you also look at the map and spot mysterious symbols and places that you haven't been too. What lies in the Beor Mountains, and why is the ancient city of Farthen Dûr hidden there? At the end of Eragon, many regions of the map remain unvisited and you're left wondering "when will we go to Du Weldenvarden?", and "what will happen there?" It's a great lead-in to the second book

So why am I going on about maps?

This isn't a discussion on sitemaps.

The pages of your website are like maps, complete with their own geography, mysterious symbols and names. In a way your home page is like the master map for your website.

Does it show visitors what you have on your site?

Are the different sections clearly marked? Or does it hide them?

Does it offer something interesting if they click on your links or symbols?

Visitors should be rewarded for browsing around your site. They should find interesting stuff everywhere they look. And they should find clues and enticements that promise more interesting stuff as they look through other pages.

How about a mysterious 'guest only' section which is only accessible once they sign up? Promise them something interesting if they do, and make sure you do it!

So what should you do? Where should you start?

Take a look at your website. Read the copy back to yourself. Does it send you to sleep? Is it just a long list of facts and information? If so then I'm guessing you don't have much Brisingr and your visitors will be bored too!

People like to read about people, so put some personality into your pages. Add some opinion. Talk about your experiences. Tell people about yourself. Let your imagination go!

So are you ready to simplify your life on the web and to get started with improving your website design? You can take the first step here and download my guide Squeeze More Results From Your Website. It's free, and just a click away.

Once you've signed up I'll send you the guide and will also check in often to send you more tips and advice and to see how your web design is doing.