{"id":12814,"date":"2024-09-13T16:02:09","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T22:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.printingcenterusa.com\/blog\/?p=12814"},"modified":"2024-09-13T16:05:14","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T22:05:14","slug":"author-website-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.printingcenterusa.com\/blog\/author-website-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Building an Author Website: Best practices and essential features"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You finally did it, you finished your first book and it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an Author Website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ve finished the book<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy a Domain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>. <\/strong>The one thing your readers know about you is your name and your book, so keeping this format helps your readers find you easily.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A personalized domain adds credibility with an overall professional touch. It shows that you\u2019re serious about your work, making it easier for readers, publishers, and industry professionals to take you seriously. It\u2019s 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\u2014especially in terms of the URL\u2014and don\u2019t offer the same level of professionalism. That\u2019s why securing your own domain is the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking to get started, several platforms offer easy-to-use templates, hosting services, and domain registration, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WordPress<\/strong>: <\/a>Plans start at $4 per month. Domain registration is available with all paid plans. WordPress is highly recommended.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squarespace<\/strong>:<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wix:<\/a> <\/strong>Plans start at $16 per month. Offers a free domain for the first year with Combo plans and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Should I put on my Author Website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When applying author website best practices<\/strong>, 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\u2019t have to dig too deep or risk giving up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think of the home page like the cover of your book. It\u2019s the first chance to grab your viewers\u2019 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. <\/strong>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 \u201cLearn More\u201d or \u201cBuy Now,\u201d will guide them without overwhelming them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Include a short introduction to yourself\u2014just a few lines that share your identity as an author. Think of this as your way to say, “Hi, this is me and here\u2019s 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\u2019t need to flood the page with long reviews; a few key snippets will do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your About Page is where readers come to connect with you, not just as an author but as a person. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/strong>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mention any awards, notable publications, or other milestones that show you\u2019re serious about your writing. This helps establish credibility without overwhelming readers with too much detail. Don\u2019t forget to guide them to the next step- check out your latest book or follow you on social media<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Books\/Works Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give each book a brief description that tells them exactly what they can expect from the story.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any standout reviews or quotes from other authors, don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure everything flows in a way that\u2019s easy to follow, and avoid clutter that might distract from what really matters\u2014your books. <\/strong>If you\u2019ve got multiple titles, consider organizing them by series or genre so readers can easily find what they\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/strong>This also protects your inbox from unwanted spam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer, you can include a dedicated email address for professional inquiries, especially for media or event requests. It\u2019s a good idea to clearly label the type of inquiries you\u2019re open to so you are not flooded with irrelevant emails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to include links to your social media profiles, so readers can follow you on other platforms and stay updated. If you\u2019re active on a particular platform, highlight that, so they know the best way to stay in touch with your latest news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optional Sections to Keep in Mind for Your Author Website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Newsletter Sign-Up & Blog <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n