He writes wise things that I should listen to, like the idea that publishers should at least have a decent search engine on their websites. Presto! See the searchy thing to the left, and also on our home and catalogue page. (I know, I know, concept of home page outmoded, but still.)

(Don't you love how google have a product for everything?)

Mark's suggestions come as part of an article that asks 'what are publishers for' which regular readers of this blog will know is a question we could be said to be slightly obsessed with. Other suggestions in his post (at The Bookseller blog ) include:

- 'a great search engine' (check, although not sure it counts because I only created it 45 seconds ago)
- 'intelligent recommendations' (er...)
- 'bang up-to-date catalogue information' (check, phew. Hooray for Anko's APM, ONIX and XSLT that makes this touch-of-a-buttony)
- 'News pages are great -- if they are kept updated' (the blog will have to do)
- 'Book detail pages should all have book cover graphics' (check)
- 'additional content (index, introductions, afterwords) should be online as a matter of course' (EEK! There's no excuse here, it's all part of the ONIX standard. I just need to amend the XSLT.)
- 'Detailed information about all authors and links to fan sites etc. should come next' (almost eek. We have some info but not much, really)
- 'An interesting blog would be nice' (check check check. Well, a blog. You'll have to judge whether it's interesting)
- 'forums are possible.' (nah, can't be arsed to maintain one)
- 'Social networking sites and Web 2.0 technologies offer still further chances to build a publisher's brand and their readership.' (watch this 'ere space).

OK, so I have a bit of work to do. [rolls sleeves up, looks purposefully off into the distance.] Best crack on, then.