Websites For Authors
Who Should You Hire to Build Your Author Website?
There are different website design services to choose from:
- Web designers
- Web developers
- Web design agencies
Web design agencies can be one-stop shopping for design, SEO, marketing and promotion, and ads placement.
Agencies who specialize in marketing and promotion help authors gain visibility off line by booking television interviews, magazine and newspaper coverage, and podcast guest appearances.
Website developers are people who know how to ‘hand code’ and build a website from scratch. They can also maintain your website, integrate your payment gateways, optimize website performance, and keep your website safe from hackers.
If you are just beginning your author website journey, a web designer like Nancy Fields Graphic Design might be your most economical solution because they often have multiple skill sets without the agency price tag.
If you want your website to have a traffic, right out of the gate, find a designer who also has a good knowledge of SEO.
Most website designers will also be able to set up your email opt-in form and autoresponder series.
Autoresponder emails are a series of emails that you write once. They are delivered automatically, over the first few days, after someone signs up to join your email list. People are most interested in hearing from you in the very beginning, so if your autoresponder series piques their interest, you have a golden opportunity to turn them into fans and book buyers.
There is a lot that goes into building an author website: text, images, links to join your email list, links to buy your book, payment processors.
Book mentors and publicists refer their clients to me because I design websites and improve website visibility with SEO. I also have book launch experience to help their authors sell more books on launch day.
If you don’t love spending hours working on the technical side of a website, hiring a website designer is a smart move.
After your website is built, your web designer can show you how to add text, pictures and make simple changes so that you can save money and stay in control of your main business asset.
Do you need a website if you are writing your first book?
No. Not every author needs a website when they are just starting out, but every author needs a list of prospective book buyers.
To build a list of prospective book buyers, authors need a Landing Page.
What is a Landing Page?
A Landing Page is a one-page website or a single webpage, on your website.
The job of a Landing Page is to ask your visitor to take one action: buy or sign-up.
Landing Pages look very sparse. They have no header, or footer that could distract your visitor’s attention.
A Landing Page for an authors tells a little bit about your book. It can also be used to tell people about the book you are currently writing, or intend to write.
If your book is written it asks your visitors to buy your book.
If you is not ready for sale, it asks for their name and email address, so you can stay in touch, and let them know when your book is published.
Landing Page on your Website
When you want more visibility online, it’s time for a multipage website.
The good news is, all the time and effort you put into getting people’s names and email addresses from your author landing page can be used on your website, too.
You are still asking people to join your email list, but with a website you can increase your sign up opportunities by:
- Adding a signup form on your navigation menu so it appears on every page
- Adding multiple landing pages and signup forms throughout your website
Example of a book bonus that leads to a website landing page with signup form
But wait, there’s more…
If you’re an author who wants to bring in more income from your writing, you will need a website that consistently shows up on page one of Google.
That takes advanced SEO techniques to combine the power of a Google Business Profile, your YouTube Channel, and Wikipedia to drive more traffic to your website.
Q: How long does it take to complete an author website?
A:
An author website can take 2-16 weeks to complete. The time frame depends on the following:
Landing Page vs. One Page Author Website
You can make a single landing page on most email hosting platforms such as AWeber,* and send people to your landing page via a link.
The downside is the URL (web address) will have an address that looks something like this: https://fieldsgraphicdesign.aweb.page/p/dcda1f6e-dc56-41a5-bb9d-e742abd046fd
A one-page author website is different from a landing page because it is your website, and your unique domain name.
It is the perfect option if you want to actively promote your first book, or take people along on your book writing journey because you can send people to a simple URL, such as websitesforauthors.design.
A one-page website, typically takes an hour to build after purchasing the following essential items:
- Domain name
- Website host
- SSL Certificate
- Email host
Multipage Author Website
A multipage author website includes:
- Free offer
- Home page
- About page
- Media page
- Landing page
- Professional headshot
- 3-D book cover
- Images
- Links to your social media pages
- Google Analytics
SEO Optimized Author Website
A fully optimized website is the next step in the website journey because if no one can find you online, you do not exist to the people who are looking for someone just like you and your book.
This type of website includes all of the above plus…
- A Google Business Profile
- Enhanced website structure
- YouTube Channel
- RSS feeds to your customized websites on WordPress.com and Blogger.com
- Wikipedia Author page
If you would like to speak with Nancy Fields to find a tailored solution to meet your author website needs, click here to schedule a 30-minute consultation. I am happy to review your current website during this free session.
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* Clicking on this link takes you to my affiliate link on AWeber. It is the email hosting platform I have used since 2012, and I highly recommend it for my customers. If you purchase a subscription on AWeber using my affiliate link I will receive a small commission.
If you’re an author, your online presence is essential to your success.
You may have a social media following – but do you have your own author website?
Your website is like a storefront. It’s where loyal readers go to find out more about your latest releases or upcoming projects, and it will help to boost your online visibility.
Benefits of having an author website
Having a website designer for authors website is one of the best ways to promote and market your book. Not only does it give you increased visibility but you’ll have better control over how people perceive your work, and you.
People want to learn more about you and why you wrote your book.
Your author website makes it easy for followers to find out where they can buy your book and read reviews written by other readers. Plus, if they have questions they’ll be able to quickly contact you via email or through social media links provided on your site.
You can also use your website to show off any awards or recognitions that your work has received, or share special offers with readers who visit your site.
All this helps to create a stronger connection between you and your readers which leads to more sales!
Your author website is also your media hub, so if you guest blog, appear on podcasts and other media outlets, your hosts can easily get your bio and headshot — right on your website media page!
Author domain name
If your name, as a domain name is already taken, what should you buy?
These are all great choices:
Should you your book title for a domain name?
Yes. Buy both.
Many publicists I work will urge their authors to buy a domain name for the title of their book, and their pen name.
You won’t be creating multiple websites. Instead you will have one main domain under your pen name.
The title of your book will point to your pen name. That means, when someone types in your name, or the name of your book, they will be taken to one website.
For example, I have two website names that lead to the same website. It’s called redirecting your domain.
Your author name will be you main domain. Your book title will redirect to your author name.
When should I publish my website?
As soon as possible here’s why…
- You need buyers!
- It can take months to build a list of people who want to buy your book
- Prospective buyers want to know about you before they buy your book
- You can use your website to build anticipation before your book is released
Book mentors and publicists I have worked with, work hard to get their authors on the Amazon Best Seller list. They all recommend launching their website before their book is released and having an opt-in form on their website to collect site visitors names and email addresses.
One page author website
Even if you are just starting to write your book, you can create a one page website that asks people to sign up to receive updates on your book progress, and its release date.
Your book does not need to be finished.
In fact, most people enjoy being part of your ‘author journey.’ They often become your biggest fans and the first ones to buy your book the day it is released.
When you are ready to add more website pages, you can add an “About” page, Media page, Blog, and Author Contact page.
Self-published author websites
Today over 90% of authors self publish, and the numbers keep growing.
Not only does it give you more control over your work, but it also allows you to keep more of your earnings.
A self published author website can help promote credibility among readers and literary professionals; establish yourself as a brand; build relationships with marketers, publicists and others who want to learn more about your book; plus much more.
First time author websites
If you are thinking about a website to promote your book, or just need someone to point you in the right direction Click here to schedule a free 30-minute call. I will get you started on the right path to a successful author website.