Build Your Own Author Website: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to build an author website to boost your online presence, connect with readers, and fuel your writing success.
“Websites promote you 24/7: No employee will do that.” – Paul Cookson, poet and performer
Once you understand the importance of having an author website and you’ve seen some examples, it’s time to create your own! As an aspiring author, you can create a website made just for you and start building your author brand.
TIP: For more on why it’s crucial to have a website and examples, see our blog, “Does a New Author Need a Professional Site?”
In this article, we provide a step-by-step guide to building your own author website and the choices to make. But before getting started on the road to creating an author website, we first need to bust four common myths holding new authors back.
Busting 4 Myths
On your author journey, you may have encountered a few common myths or concerns that keep you from building an author website.
Before covering the steps to build your website, let’s first discuss and dispel these misconceptions and provide solutions and alternatives to help you overcome these challenges.
Myth 1: Building a website is expensive
While it’s true that professional website design services can be costly, budget-friendly alternatives are available. Platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace offer affordable plans, often with a free tier for those just starting. By choosing a reasonably priced hosting plan and utilizing free or low-cost themes, you can create a professional-looking website without using up your entire budget.
Myth 2: You need advanced technical skills to create a website
Many website builders cater to users with little to no technical expertise. User-friendly platforms, such as WordPress, provide drag-and-drop editors and customizable templates. This makes it easy for you to create a visually appealing website without any coding knowledge. Additionally, you can find countless online resources and tutorials available to guide you through the process.
Myth 3: Building and maintaining a website is time-consuming
The initial setup of a website can take some time, but maintaining it becomes much more manageable once it goes live. Regular updates, such as posting blog articles or sharing news about upcoming events, don’t require a significant time investment. By dedicating a few hours each week to updating your website, you can keep it fresh and engaging for readers.
Myth 4: You can’t build a website until you’re a published author
It’s never too early to start building your online presence. Even if you’re an unpublished author, having a website allows you to showcase your writing samples, share updates on your progress, and start cultivating a following. As your career advances, your website will evolve along with you, becoming an invaluable tool for promoting your work and engaging with readers.
A Step-By-Step Guide for an Author Website
With the myths set aside, you can supercharge your writing career as a new author by creating a website to connect with readers and promote your work. Here’s the step-by-step guide to getting started. This guide gives an actionable checklist for building your author website. Its starting points provide a sense of direction.
So, let’s get started.
Choose a domain name
Your website name should reflect your author brand and genre. It should be memorable and easy to spell. Ideally, it should include your name or a variation of it, such as “AuthorYourName.com, ” or “YourNameWrites.com.” Having a website for each book can become expensive. For now, focus on your author name for the website.
Select a hosting provider
Hosting providers store your website files and make them accessible on the internet. Most also allow you to register your domain name. There are many options available, so choose one that fits your budget and offers reliable service.
Install a content management system (CMS)
A CMS, such as WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix, allows you to create and manage your website easily. Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation, making it easy to get started. WordPress is a popular choice for author websites because it’s user-friendly and offers a wide variety of customizable themes and plugins. WordPress has a vast selection of themes, both free and paid, designed specifically for authors.
Look for one that suits your style and offers features like a blog, portfolio, and e-commerce integration. You’ll also need to choose a theme or template that matches your style and genre. WordPress has a vast selection of themes, both free and paid, designed specifically for authors. Look for one that offers features like a blog, portfolio, and e-commerce integration.
Customizing your website
Add your logo, colors, fonts, and high-quality images. Decide on essential pages for your website. An effective author website should have the following pages: Home, About (bio), Books/Portfolio (list of your published works or writing samples), Blog (if you have one), Events/Appearances, Media/Press (if applicable), and Contact. These pages provide a comprehensive overview of your writing career and make it easy for readers to connect with you.
Then add relevant content to each page, such as your bio, book covers, blurbs, reviews, excerpts, blog posts, contact form, and newsletter sign-up form. Integrate social media buttons and links to your profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads. Consider including testimonials, and links to your social media profiles to make your website more engaging.
Including a blog on your author website can be beneficial for several reasons. It allows you to share your thoughts, experiences, and writing tips, which can help build a stronger connection with your readers. Also, regularly publishing blog posts can improve your website’s search engine rankings, making it more discoverable to potential readers.
If you plan to sell your books directly from your website, consider integrating an e-commerce platform like WooCommerce or Shopify. This will allow you to accept payments and manage orders more easily.
Optimize your website for SEO
To optimize for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), use keywords, meta tags, headings, and alt text for images. Use relevant keywords and phrases, such as “aspiring author website” or “website to publish a book,” throughout your content to improve your search engine rankings. Make sure to use these keywords naturally and in context, so they don’t feel forced. Also test your website for functionality, speed, security, and mobile-friendliness using tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights, SSL Checker, and Mobile-Friendly Test.
Promote your website & increase traffic
Once you launch your website, promote it to your target audience using email marketing, social media marketing, and guest blogging. Add the link to your email signature and put it on your business cards. Encourage readers to share your content and link to your website from their own blogs or websites.
To increase traffic to your website, focus on creating high-quality content and optimizing it for search engines (SEO). Promote your website on social media, engage with your audience through blog comments or a newsletter, and consider guest blogging or collaborating with other writers to expand your reach. Additionally, network with other authors and participate in writing communities to gain exposure and build relationships.
Update regularly
To maintain a strong online presence and keep your audience engaged, update your website regularly with fresh content, such as blog posts, news, updating your portfolio, and event announcements. Aim to add new content at least once a month, but more frequent updates can lead to higher search rankings and increased reader engagement.
Measure your website’s success
To measure the success of your website, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as visitor traffic, time spent on site, pages viewed per visit, and conversion rates (e.g., newsletter sign-ups, and book sales). Use tools like Google Analytics to track these metrics and identify areas for improvement. By consistently analyzing your website’s performance, you can make data-driven decisions to enhance user experience, boost engagement, and increase the visibility of your author brand.
TIP: For more on building your author brand, see our blog, “Build Your Author Brand: 5 Essential Steps to Maximize Impact.”
With the right tools, resources, and mindset, building an author website becomes an achievable and rewarding endeavor. By following the steps outlined above, you can craft an exceptional author website, and watch your writing career grow as you connect with readers, showcase your work, and sell books. Create your author website and start elevating your writing career.
Don’t wait. Start today!
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