An author website acts as a central “hub” for all other marketing, promotional, and branding efforts. It’s a place where potential readers, industry decision-makers, and the media can find out more about you and your book, including your credentials, contact information, social media links, upcoming events, where your book can be purchased, and more.
Without an author website, you’re failing to maximize your online discoverability, making it harder for people to find you when searching the internet. You’re also missing that “one stop shop” where someone can go when interested in learning more or making a purchase. The great news is that it’s easier than ever to create your own, simple website…and, you can even do it for FREE!
There are numerous website builder platforms available to authors, all with different templates, features, and premium upgrades. We’re going to focus on the 3 most user and budget-friendly DIY options:
Wix
Wix ADI is a free website creation platform that uses AI technology to build a custom website for you in minutes. The tool will ask questions and preferences and then create a site based on your responses. The ADI wizard can customize text, font, colors, images and more. You can also add pages or elements and integrate applications to customize your site. The platform’s Premium Plans, starting at $16 per month, allow you to connect your own domain, remove Wix ads, accept online payments, and more.
Wordpress
As with Wix ADI, Wordpress offers a free website builder that will get you up and running in just minutes. The free plan offers dozens of templates and designs to choose from and the platform steps users through the process of getting started, allowing you to change, add, or remove any elements to make it your own. Upgrading to a Premium Plan starting at $4 per month will allow you to connect your own domain, remove ads or earn ad revenue, accept online payments, and more.
Squarespace
Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial for users wanting to explore the features and premium upgrades before committing. After the 14 days, Squarespace subscriptions start at $16 per month for the Personal Plan. Many of the tools and features are built right into the Editor tool, so you don’t have to search for optional plug-ins or applications to make page enhancements. Squarespace offers advanced upgrades for those wanting to sell books through their site or include a more robust blog.
All of these platforms offer helpful articles and tutorials to get you started, so spend some time exploring these resources before you begin building your website.
When potential readers and industry decision-makers visit your author website, they are expecting to learn more about both you and your work. Here is a list of elements to consider as you start building out your website:
Recommended:
About the Author: Your website bio is where you can expand on the shorter version used on your book cover or marketing materials. Share your credentials, writing experience, passions, what inspires you, personal information, etc.
About the book/s: Each book you’ve written should have it’s own page or section with a book cover image, description, and key meta data. You should also list any other published works such as short stories, articles, etc.
Where to Purchase: Include direct links to where your book is available for sale online such as Amazon or your publisher’s online bookstore.
Social Media Links: Include direct links to your social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.
Email Sign-Up: Include a form that allows visitors to provide their email address so they can receive email updates and newsletters from you. This is a great way to build a following.
Reviews/Testimonials: Entice visitors to purchase your book by sharing snippets from any great reviews or testimonials you’ve received.
Upcoming Events or Appearances: This list can include conferences, book festivals, speaking engagements, book signings, school visits, etc.
Advanced:
Media Kit: Includes a downloadable hi-res author and book cover image, multiple versions of your author bio, and an author sell sheet.
Video and Photos: This can include your book trailer, video interviews, video or photos of speaking engagements and book signings, and more.
Blog: For authors that want to share even more content with their readers on a regular basis, a blog is a great addition.
Free downloads or giveaways: Offer something of value as a thank-you for visiting your website or for signing up for your email newsletter. This could be a short story, helpful checklist, entering a contest for a signed copy of your book, etc.
A domain is the name of your website and is called a “URL” or “web address”. When readers type your web address into their internet browser window, the browser knows where to take them. The free website builder plans offered through Wix and Wordpress give you an assigned domain name based on your account profile. For most authors, this is sufficient. Like Squarespace, their upgraded plans offer a custom domain name option that is free for one-year, and then it’s renewed yearly at the standard rate.
Do carefully consider the domain name that is set up for your website. Your book title may not be the best choice if you plan to write more than one book. If you’ll potentially write multiple standalone books or books in various genres in your writing career, it’s best to use your author name (or pen name) for your website domain.
For more on purchasing a custom website domain name on your own, click here.
Your author website can be a creative and engaging way to display your branding and messaging. Building a website on your own can be daunting if you aren’t technically savvy, so do your research to understand if one of the DIY options noted above will work for your needs, or, if you will need to hire some help. Also review other authors’ websites for inspiration and ideas.
Photo credit: milindri via Getty ImagesPhoto credit: anyaberkut via Getty ImagesPhoto credit: Henrik5000 via Getty Images
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Need help resolving copyright issues regarding wikipedia and other on line postiings.
Hellp, you can find out more about copyright and copyright infringement in the below links. It's best to consult an Intellectual Property attorney if you are unsure how to resolve the issues. Thank you.
https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/publishing/legal/w/copyright
https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/i-have-a-book-that-has-bible-scriptures-and-original-material-how-can-i-use-these-scriptures-without-violating-the-copyright-law
https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/in-writing-and-self-publishing-a-book-when-should-you-apply-for-a-copyright-see-the-response