One of the most important elements of an author’s marketing strategy is developing an author website. Small publishers and many authors and writers must have their own professional-looking and mobile-friendly website.
Developing an author website can help your buyers easily buy your books and connect with you. It can also serve as a place for a community for those reading your books. Author and writer websites can also give credibility and more information about the author. If you’re a non-fiction writer, fiction, children, or any other genre, a website is important in expanding and reaching your audience.
This guide aims to give you resources and ideas on how to create a captivating author website. Read on below and start creating that dream author’s website!
What is an Author website and its purpose?
An author’s website helps you reach your target market and audience. It can help your books reach social media or any other platform needed to boost your sales. You have complete control of the content of your website and it will be an avenue of communication to your readers. Many authors hire a web developer to build their website without even considering its purpose.
There are many purposes of an author’s website and it is important to have your book information and author’s bio first. Another one is a platform where you can communicate with your readers. You can create this platform by creating a mailing list sign-up form on your website and linking it to your social networking accounts. You can also create links on your website to online retailers to market your books. A well-thought-out purpose of your website can lead to your success and also reach your author’s goals.
What information is best to have on an author’s website?
Home Page
The most important part of an author’s webpage is the home page. This part is important because it is the first page that shows up on Google when searching for your books or name. It will also be the page that people will share on social media. The home page is the page mostly likely to be visited by people so it is important that it is well-made and designed carefully.
Although the home page is a major part of the success of your author page, you should not be focusing on putting all your content on this page. If you show too much on the first page, you will risk losing the visitor’s interest and attention. There will be instances where visitors and readers won’t find the content of your book instantly. A navigational menu consisting of your content will help do the job of directing your visitors and readers to find what they’re interested in. The home page should have what the people are looking for. It should be clear, concise, and interesting to lure them in reading your book.
Bio/About page
Your Bio or About page tells about the story and biography of the author. There are a lot of ways to write a bio page. You are free to choose on what type of style your bio or about page appears. Tell your unique story, create short stories about your book, etc. It has to be authentic and interesting. It is also a good idea to put your photo on your Bio page so that our readers know what you look like and also to make it a little bit special.
Book Page
A book page includes the prominent book cover with the reviews, blurb, release date, and awards. The book page promotes your book to your visitors. This page also offers your visitors ways to purchase the book. You can link to Amazon, Booktopia, and many more! You can also offer free downloads like sample pages to hook readers of your book. Free downloads can also help you gain followers, mailing lists, and subscribers.
Events Page
An events page let you promote upcoming releases, book tours, speaking events, appearances, and school and mall visits. The event page is formatted like an invitation where the dates and locations are highlighted. The events page also links tickets and contacts on where to buy tickets conveniently.
Mailing list
A mailing list or newsletter can be inserted into all pages of your website. The mailing list will allow your readers and visitors to sign up and be updated on any upcoming books or events. The list asks for the visitor’s email address and name. You can offer free rewards or promotions for signing up. Including free book chapters, sample pages, and short stories can help build your mailing list.
What information should you have on a writer’s website?
Introduction, words, graphics, and logos
Your website’s landing page should be interesting and attractive to potential clients. Include enticing words and attractive graphics on the introductory page of your website. These words, photos, and logos should be according to your personal style to make them authentic and trustworthy.
Past employers and work
This information is important because it lists your previous work and employers. It tells potential clients what you currently write and articles you have completed. Including this information on your website will give confidence to your next potential clients.
Qualifications and achievements
You can include awards, academic training, organizations and other evidence that displays your professionalism and ability to write.
Contact page
The contact page is important because this is where potential clients will reach out to you. It also conveys information to clients on how they could pay you or contact you if there’s an emergency. Put any information that any current clients want to know on your contact page.
Basic steps on getting one started
Domain
The domain is the address or name of your website. It is also known as the web address or URL. It is advisable to have your name as the URL or domain to achieve long-term promotional goals. The easiest way of having a domain is to buy your preferred one now. These are cheap and can be easily found on Google.
Hosting
Hosting is where all of the info, data, and code of your website is stored. This information is managed by hosting companies such as SiteGround, BlueHost, InMotion, and many more. The most common author websites are built using WordPress.
Backup
To keep your website secure, a backup is necessary. It contains all of the website’s information and data and when something goes wrong, there would be a back to restore your data. If you are a first-time website owner, your web designer can handle it for you.
Spam filter
A spam filter prevents you from receiving spam emails via your contact forms and comments.
Analytics
Analytics is important for your website because it helps you track visitors (how long they stay, how many visitors, etc.). It is usually done with the help of a third-party program like Google Analytics. Analytics is helpful because it tells you what needs to change on your website.
Best Author Website Examples
These are some of the most well-made and planned author websites with striking designs.
Final Words
I hope by reading this article you can see that having a web presence if you are an author or a writer is vitally important. It is a place to build your brand, audience and something that you control. I hope this information has given you are good overview of what is required to create an excellent author website. Happy website creating!
