Silk Sound Books
This innovative online retailer, which offers original audio books of classic novels, needed a sophisticated e-commerce website, content management system and online marketing campaign in less than two months.
www.silksoundbooks.com
Our challenge
In 2007, internet entrepreneurs Brian Mitchell and Robbie Weston spotted an opportunity to take classic literature to a wider audience through downloadable MP3 audio books with a difference - some of the world's greatest actors bring the stories to life online.
To make this happen, they needed a Web partner that could work in tandem with a third party designer to create, host and promote a powerful e-commerce solution in less than two months.
What we did
More than 50 audio books are now available on the Silk Sound Books website, which launched at the start of June 2007, with plans to record hundreds more. British actors Bill Nighy, Richard E. Grant and Natascha McElhone are among the performers.
- We created a transactional website where users can download a high-quality package containing the novel and background information for £7.95, as well as accessing innovative features like 'One hour Shakespeare' and audio city guides
- We incorporated a search facility so that users can search the online library by title, author, performer or other criteria, such as genre
- Our content management system means that the Silk Sound Books team can easily edit site content
- With research showing that thousands of internet users search for information about classic novels online every month, we also help to drive traffic to the Silk Sound Books website through a pay-per-click campaign
Brian Mitchell, Director of Silk Sound Books, comments:
"Our actors perform the novels in the same way they would perform a play or a film. We wanted the website to reflect this so our brief was for it to be very visual, as if visitors to the site had stepped into a dressing room or a film set. Simplicity came highly recommended and worked extremely well with our Web designer. They have a thoughtful, solid approach and they provided valuable insight on issues such as digital rights management."
The results
Silk Sound Books has built up a large community of great actors to read great books. Since launch the site has had 1.3 million unique visitors and dozens of books are purchased everyday from over 30 countries including Andorra, Bermuda and Uruguay.
Simplicity client case studies