Creating Your Author Website

In today’s digital age, establishing a strong online presence is essential for authors looking to connect with their readers, promote their work, and establish a professional image. An author website serves as a digital hub where your readers can learn more about you, your books, and your writing journey. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your author website, ensuring it becomes a valuable asset in your writing career.

Define Your Website’s Purpose

Before you dive into website design, it’s crucial to define the purpose of your website. What do you want to achieve with it? Common goals for author websites include:

Showcasing your books
Sharing your author bio
Connecting with your readers
Providing updates and news about your writing
Blogging about your writing process and insights

Having a clear purpose in mind will help you shape your website’s content, design, and functionality to meet your goals effectively.

Select a Domain Name

It’s important to choose a domain name that is related to your author brand and simple to remember; this is your website’s address on the internet. Your name or pen name is an excellent choice for a domain name if it’s available. If not, consider using a variation or adding words like “author” or “books” to your name to make it unique and easily searchable.

Choose a Hosting Platform

There are several website hosting platforms available that cater to authors and writers. Some popular options include WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. When choosing a platform, consider your technical skills, the specific features that you want to include, along with your personal budget.

WordPress, for instance, is highly customisable and suitable for those who want complete creative control. Wix and Squarespace, on the other hand, offer user-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces, making them ideal for beginners.

Design Your Website

Your author website’s design should reflect your personal style and author brand. Select a theme or template that resonates with your writing genre and personality. Ensure that the design is user-friendly, responsive (mobile-friendly), and clean. Here are some design elements to consider:

An eye-catching header with your book covers or author logo
Easy-to-navigate menu and menu items (e.g., Home, About, Books, Blog, Contact)
A visually appealing author bio and photo
A dedicated page for each of your books, complete with descriptions, reviews, and purchase links
A blog section to share your writing journey, insights, and updates
Contact information or a contact form to allow readers and publishers to reach out

Craft Engaging Content

It’s important that the content of your website is reflective of your writing style, along with being engaging and informative for your visitors. Here’s a breakdown of the essential content:

Author Bio: Write a compelling author bio that provides readers with insight into your background, experiences, and writing journey. Be sure to include a professional author photo.
Books: Dedicate a page to each of your books, complete with cover images, book descriptions, reviews, and purchase links for various retailers.
Blog: Maintain a blog to connect with your readers and share your thoughts, updates, and writing process. By posting updates regularly, you are ensuring that your website remains fresh and encouraging of repeat visits!
Contact Information: Make it easy for readers, publishers, and fellow authors to contact you by include an email address or a contact form on your website.
Mailing List Signup: Consider adding a mailing list signup form to your website. Building an email list lets you connect with your readers directly and inform them about your new releases and updates.

Optimise for SEO

Search engine optimisation (SEO) ensures that your website appears in search engine results when readers look for your work. OptimiseOptimise your website by using relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and alt text for images. Regularly publishing blog posts can also improve your website’s SEO.

Test and Launch

Before launching your website, thoroughly test it for functionality, responsiveness, and content accuracy. Check for broken links, typos, and any design issues. Once you’re satisfied with the results, you’re all set to go! This is your moment to press that “Publish” button and share your website with the world.

Promote Your Website

Your website is one of the most important tools for promoting your author brand and your books. Share it on your social media profiles, your email signature, and your book’s back cover. Encourage readers to visit your website for updates, blog posts, and more.

In conclusion, creating your author website is an important step in building your author platform and connecting with your readers. It’s your digital home where you can showcase your work, share your writing journey, and interact with your audience. With the right content, design, and promotion, your website can become a valuable asset in your writing career, helping you reach a wider audience and establish your authorial digital presence. The time has come to roll up your sleeves, get creative, and start building your digital haven today!

Discover the Author within you by taking one of our Writing Courses!