Building an Author Website: Best practices and essential features
You finally did it, you finished your first book and it’s ready to hit the big shelves. But, record scratch, before this can happen and you can celebrate, you need to do one more essential thing: create your author website. As you know, you also need marketing to help make your book a hit. This is, by far, one of the most important elements of any book marketing strategy. A website gives you a dedicated space to present your books, share updates, and let your audience learn more about your journey as a writer.
What is an Author Website?
There’s a lot to cover when it comes to building an effective website, but, you’ll find that in the end, it is worth the effort, especially if you’re a self-published author. Think of it like this: your author website will be the place readers will continue to connect with your story, long after they’ve finished the book
Buy a Domain
One of the first things to think about when building your author website is securing your domain. Having YourFirstNameLastname.com is the industry standard and part of author website best practices. The one thing your readers know about you is your name and your book, so keeping this format helps your readers find you easily.
A personalized domain adds credibility with an overall professional touch. It shows that you’re serious about your work, making it easier for readers, publishers, and industry professionals to take you seriously. It’s a small but crucial investment that can make a big difference in how your online presence is perceived. While there are free options, they usually come with limitations—especially in terms of the URL—and don’t offer the same level of professionalism. That’s why securing your own domain is the way to go.
If you’re looking to get started, several platforms offer easy-to-use templates, hosting services, and domain registration, such as:
WordPress: Plans start at $4 per month. Domain registration is available with all paid plans. WordPress is highly recommended.
Squarespace: Plans start at $16 per month (or $12 per month if billed annually). Includes a free domain for the first year when you sign up for a plan.
Wix: Plans start at $16 per month. Offers a free domain for the first year with Combo plans and above.
What Should I put on my Author Website?
When applying author website best practices, it’s important to organize your site so readers can find what they need quickly. You want to make things simple and focused, ensuring visitors don’t have to dig too deep or risk giving up.
Home page
Think of the home page like the cover of your book. It’s the first chance to grab your viewers’ attention, so you want to make it count. The goal is to keep things simple, focused and allow visitors to understand who you are as an author and what you offer right away. Start by making sure your latest book or project is front and center, your readers should see it immediately. A great cover image and a brief description, with a clear call-to-action like “Learn More” or “Buy Now,” will guide them without overwhelming them.
Include a short introduction to yourself—just a few lines that share your identity as an author. Think of this as your way to say, “Hi, this is me and here’s what I write.” A professional author photo will make this section even more personal. If you have book reviews, awards, or praise from other authors, show it off. This helps new readers trust in your work. You don’t need to flood the page with long reviews; a few key snippets will do.
Keep your design minimal. Too much clutter distracts from the main focus, which is you and your writing. Stick to a consistent color scheme and easy-to-read fonts, and make sure the page is mobile-friendly. Throughout your site you will notice the same content is repeated in different ways, all linked together for SEO purposes. The organization of this page is ultimately up to you. Many authors vary with the set up of the home page and what they want to drive the most traffic to at the very top.
About Page
Your About Page is where readers come to connect with you, not just as an author but as a person.
Share what sparked your passion for writing, and how you got to where you are now. Let your personality shine through but keep it relevant to your writing career. Add just barely a touch of who you are outside of writing. Maybe you love hiking, have a pet, or enjoy baking. This makes you more relatable and helps your readers connect with you on a personal level.
Mention any awards, notable publications, or other milestones that show you’re serious about your writing. This helps establish credibility without overwhelming readers with too much detail. Don’t forget to guide them to the next step- check out your latest book or follow you on social media
Books/Works Page
The Books/Works Page is where your readers get to explore your all your book babies! Showcase each of your books with a nice clear mockup of the cover.
Give each book a brief description that tells them exactly what they can expect from the story. Keep it brief as you want them to click on the corresponding shop now link. Within all shop now links are the full synopsis of the book and this will make it easy for them to take the next step.
If you have any standout reviews or quotes from other authors, don’t be shy about including a few short ones. Readers love to see what others are saying, and it helps them feel more confident about picking up your book.
Make sure everything flows in a way that’s easy to follow, and avoid clutter that might distract from what really matters—your books. If you’ve got multiple titles, consider organizing them by series or genre so readers can easily find what they’re looking for.
Contact Page
Your Contact Page is where readers, publishers, and collaborators can reach out, so make it as welcoming and straightforward as possible. As always, keep things simple and easy to navigate. A contact form works well, as it allows readers to get in touch without you having to publicly display your email address. This also protects your inbox from unwanted spam.
If you prefer, you can include a dedicated email address for professional inquiries, especially for media or event requests. It’s a good idea to clearly label the type of inquiries you’re open to so you are not flooded with irrelevant emails.
Make sure to include links to your social media profiles, so readers can follow you on other platforms and stay updated. If you’re active on a particular platform, highlight that, so they know the best way to stay in touch with your latest news.
If you’re involved in events, add a small section with upcoming dates or virtual events where readers can connect with you. This gives your audience another way to stay engaged.
Optional Sections to Keep in Mind for Your Author Website
Newsletter Sign-Up & Blog
If you want to add an additional elements for your readers consider adding a newsletter and/or blog. This is another place to share your thoughts and exciting news. But, they’re only as good as the effort you put in. So, before you jump in, ask yourself:
- “Do I enjoy writing regularly?”
- “Do I have news and updates to share?”
- “Will I keep this section engaging?”
- “Do I have the time?”
With a blog, you can cover so many things- the possibilities are endless. This is also another way to drive traffic to your website outside from your readers.
A newsletter is a way to deliver exclusive content, updates, and special offers straight to your readers’ inboxes. It’s also a fantastic tool for building your email list, which is crucial for long-term success. But, just like the blog, it needs consistent attention. If you’re not ready to send regular newsletters, it’s best to wait until you are.
Remember, your website is about you and your books. Choose the sections that make sense for you and your readers. If you do both, make sure to determine what platform, blog, newsletter or social media gets first hand announcements or sneak peeks.
SEO of Your Author Website
Everyone googles. But how does that algorithm decide what shows up? It all comes down to search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is key to making sure that when people search for your name or your books, your website or content appears at the top of the results.
Here are a few SEO basics to keep in mind:
- Keywords: Think about what readers might search for—your name, book titles, genre, or key themes from your writing. Include these keywords naturally in your page titles, meta descriptions, and even in your content.
- Page Titles & Meta Descriptions: These are what show up in search engine results. The page title appears as the clickable headline in search results, while the meta description is a short summary of the page’s content underneath. For example, your home page’s title might be “John Doe | Bestselling Mystery Author,” and the meta description could briefly mention your latest book, like “Explore John Doe’s latest mystery novel” A clear, enticing meta description encourages readers to click on your site.
- Image Descriptions: Make sure to add alt text to images, especially your book covers. Search engines use this text to understand what your images are about, which can improve your visibility.
- Internal Links: Link between pages on your website—like from your home page to your Books page. This helps readers (and search engines) navigate your site easily.
- Fresh Content: Updating your website regularly with new blog posts or news can boost your ranking. Search engines favor active websites that continue to offer fresh content.
Author Website Examples
Stephen King
King’s website keeps things straightforward and engaging. His latest books are always front and center, making it easy for readers to find what’s new. There’s also a dedicated fan section with exclusive content, news, and upcoming events. It’s a great example of how to organize a large catalog without overwhelming visitors, keeping everything accessible and reader-friendly.
Rupi Kaur
Kaur’s site beautifully reflects her poetry—minimalist, spacious, and soft in its design. The layout is all about connecting with her readers, offering signed copies and a shop that’s easy to navigate. Her site really shows how design can match the tone of an author’s work, creating a seamless experience for visitors.
Ann Patchett
Patchett’s website has a personal, welcoming touch. It’s clear that her books are the focus, but she also shares her thoughts and passions through blog posts, making it a place for genuine connection. With its straightforward layout, there’s an emphasis on her writing and her independent bookstore, Parnassus Books. It’s a great mix of personal interest and professional promotion.
Kristin Hannah
Hannah’s website gives off a polished, professional vibe. The home page highlights her bestselling novels, upcoming events, and offers a way to sign up for her newsletter. The layout is clean and well-organized, making it easy for readers to find what they’re looking for, from book details to the latest author news.
All of these authors, have well designed sites that immediately grabs your attention from the homepage and either shows a great picture of the author and/or their latest book release. Their URLs are also straightforward—just their first and last names—making them easy to find and perfectly aligned with industry best practices.
Wrapping it Up
You’ve done the hard part—you wrote the book! Now it’s time to give your readers a place to find you and keep up with what you are doing. Your website is that place.
It might seem like a lot—setting up your domain, figuring out what to include, and keeping everything updated—but your author website will be worth it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should feel like you and make it easy for your readers to stick around.
So, take it one step at a time, and don’t stress too much about it. Build something that reflects your style, gives readers what they need, and helps them connect with you. Once it’s up and running, you’ll have a space that’s all yours!
Level Up your Marketing
When you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level with printed materials to promote your work, PrintingCenterUSA has you covered. We’re here to help you turn your creative ideas into high-quality products that will wow your readers and keep them coming back for more. Let’s make your next big project something to remember!
