An author’s website best represents your work to the world. No other platform has the same coverage and flexibility as a website. It’s where you showcase your writing and, eventually, your brand.
From a marketing standpoint, it makes perfect sense to build a website as it corresponds to your author’s identity. In a way, it’s a one-stop shop for readers and publishers to find out more about you and your work. But how do you go about creating an effective author website?
Step 1 – It all starts with the “ideal” domain name.
Your domain name is likened to your online identity and is the primary gateway for visitors to access your site. A well-chosen domain name reflects your brand and style and boosts discoverability, memorability, and professionalism.
Ideally, your domain name should be a simple, intuitive extension of your author’s name or book titles. The idea is to make it convenient for readers to remember and find you.
The best domain name strengthens your search engine optimization efforts. When search engines crawl your site, a relevant and keyword-focused domain name contributes to your website’s ranking on search results. This means that potential readers and publishers looking for your work are more likely to find your website among the top results.
Your chosen domain name lays a strong foundation for other steps in building your author’s website. You can confidently create a cohesive and engaging website design with the right name, develop meaningful content, and effectively market your site.
Every aspect of your website, from the layout to the blog posts, will synergize around that central identity delivered by your domain name. Therefore, investing time and thought into selecting the perfect domain name can streamline the entire process of building your author website and significantly contribute to its long-term success.
Your best bet is to use your full name – the one you’ll use as an author. As an alternative, you could use a combination of your first name and last name or initials to create something unique.
Step 2 – Pick a hosting service and website builder.
You’re looking at three attributes when selecting the right hosting service and website builder: to find affordable, reliable and packed with features.
Hosting Services
A hosting service is where your website’s files are stored and served to visitors. The hosting service you choose impacts your site’s speed, reliability, and scalability. Here are several prominent hosting services and why they might be a good fit for your website:
Bluehost: Known for its affordability and user-friendly interface, Bluehost is a popular choice among beginners. It offers 24/7 customer support, a free domain for the first year, and an easy WordPress installation process.
SiteGround: Reputation-wise, SiteGround stands out for its superior speed and security. It provides automatic daily backups, free SSL certificates, and proactive monitoring. These features make it a sensible choice for authors who expect a steady traffic flow and want a highly secure website.
HostGator: This hosting service offers a flexible range of plans, from basic to premium, making it suitable for authors at any stage of their careers. With HostGator, you’re treated to unlimited storage, a free site builder, and 24/7 support.
InMotion Hosting: For those seeking a balance between affordability and performance, InMotion Hosting is a solid option. It offers fast loading speeds, excellent customer support, and free website migration. Its plans include free SSL certificates and regular backups, which are essential for securing your site.
Website Builders
After choosing a hosting service, the next step is selecting a website builder to design and manage your site. Here are some of the most convenient website builders available and why they’re suitable for you:
WordPress: As the web’s most preferred builder, WordPress offers unmatched flexibility and a vast library of themes and plugins. You customize your site extensively to reflect your brand as an author. Although it has a steeper learning curve, the control it gives over your site’s appearance and functionality is unparalleled.
Wix: Wix is popular for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which makes website creation straightforward, even for beginners. It comes with various templates specifically designed for authors, so creating a visually appealing and functional site is convenient without needing to learn any coding.
Squarespace: Squarespace offers beautiful, professionally designed templates perfect for showcasing your writing portfolio. Its all-in-one platform includes hosting, ensuring a seamless setup process. The built-in SEO tools and analytics also help you optimize and track your site’s performance effortlessly.
Weebly: Weebly provides a user-friendly interface and solid e-commerce capabilities, which is beneficial if you sell books directly from your website. There’s also a range of customizable templates and integrated marketing tools.
Remember that you’re setting up a solid framework for your author website that will grow and adapt alongside your career, so take your time and carefully consider your options before deciding.
Step 3 – Hire a pro for web design.
While countless video tutorials teach the basics of website creation, hiring a professional web designer is the ultimate game-changer for your website. Web designers are in a league of their own when transforming your vision into reality. They bring expertise, creativity, and efficiency that are hard to match with a DIY approach.
Professional web designers will create a visually appealing, user-friendly website that looks fantastic and functions seamlessly. Their skill set extends beyond merely dragging and dropping elements or choosing templates; they will customize and code unique features tailored to your needs.
Web designers excel in problem-solving and can anticipate and address potential issues you might not foresee as a beginner. Whether ensuring your site is mobile-friendly, optimizing it for speed, or implementing advanced SEO techniques, their expertise guarantees that it performs at its best.
Step 4 – Put a premium on content.
Without a strategic focus on content, your author’s website will not fulfil its purpose: to engage and inform your readers. Content is your site’s backbone; it will keep visitors returning, compel them to explore and convert them into loyal followers.
Here’s a breakdown of the indispensable content elements your website should include and why they’re essential:
Homepage
Your homepage leaves the first impression to visitors. It should immediately communicate who you are and what you offer as an author. It’s usually achieved through a compelling headline, a brief introduction, and eye-catching visuals. A well-crafted homepage sets the stage for the rest of your site and guides visitors to explore further.
About Me
The “About Me” page is where you share your background and what led you to become an author. This personal touch is designed to build a connection with your readers, making them more interested in your work. Include professional achievements, writing aspirations, and personal anecdotes to humanize your brand. This page tells visitors why they should invest their time and interest in you.
Books List
A comprehensive list of your books is crucial. Each entry should include the cover image, a synopsis, publication details, and links to purchase or read more. This serves as a catalogue for your works and drives sales and readership. Consider adding reviews or endorsements to lend credibility and attract new readers.
Blog
A blog is a versatile tool that allows you to share updates and insights and engage with your audience. Regular blog posts help establish your authority in your genre, provide valuable content to your readers, and improve your site’s SEO. They’re a foolproof way to keep your site dynamic and encourage repeat visits.
Social Media
Linking your author site to your social media means people can follow you on other platforms, expanding your reach. Social media links also provide a channel for two-way communication; it allows you to interact with your audience and promote your work in real-time.
Contact Form
A contact form gives readers, potential collaborators, and the media a direct way to contact you. It’s essential for networking, receiving feedback, and managing inquiries about your work. An accessible contact form ensures that opportunities for engagement and collaboration are not missed.
Step 5 – Use free resources as a hook.
As an author, it’s understandable to want to keep costs low when setting up your website. Fortunately, plenty of free resources can be used as a hook to attract readers and build your online presence.
Here are some examples:
Free book sample or chapter: Offering a free sample or chapter of your book is a sensible way to entice readers and give them a taste of your writing style. You can make this available for download on your site in exchange for their email address, which you can take full advantage of for future marketing efforts.
Newsletter sign-up: Newsletters are an effective way to stay connected with your audience and keep them updated on your latest projects and events. You can offer a newsletter sign-up form on your site, which you can use to collect email addresses and build a loyal following.
Book club discussion guides: If you have published books, consider creating free book club discussion guides for readers. These can be downloaded from your site, providing additional value to readers and increasing engagement with your work.
Writing resources: Many authors offer writing resources such as prompts, tips, or templates on their websites for aspiring writers. This adds value for visitors and positions you as an authority.
Final Thoughts on Building An Author Website
This guide isn’t a comprehensive list of everything you need for your website, but it covers the essential elements that will set you on the right track. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize you can make many other prospective additions, such as book trailers, author interviews, event calendars, etc. The key is to keep your website relevant, engaging, and up-to-date to build your online presence.
