Author Book Websites
Unleashing the Power of Your Words To Create a Captivating Author Book Website that Boosts your Online Presence
Are you an author looking to boost your online presence and connect with more readers? Self-published author websites can serve as a platform to showcase your work, engage with your audience, and build your brand as an author.
Having a polished and professional website is essential for authors because it allows you to control your online presence, share in-depth information about your books, and provide a space for readers to connect with you.
But how do you create a website that truly captivates your audience and leaves a lasting impression?
A website has become essential for authors
Even if you have a strong social media presence, you want to bring them back to your author website to showcase your work and ask readers to stay connected to you via email.
An author book website also lets you share in-depth information about your books, including synopses, excerpts, and buy links. Additionally, the website can serve as a hub for your author bio, and media page to showcase your unique background, writing journey, and the inspirations behind your work.
A well-designed author book website will also enhance your credibility and professionalism in the eyes of readers, publishers, and media professionals. This can be particularly valuable for emerging authors who want to establish themselves in the literary landscape, and build trust and recognition with potential readers and contacts in your field of expertise.
Elements of a captivating author book website
Creating a captivating author book website requires a strategic approach that combines good design, engaging content, and a website structure that helps you get found online so you can amplify your voice as an author.
In addition to good design, your author book website should include elements that give visitors a glimpse into your world such as:
- an author bio
- detailed book descriptions
- excerpts
- podcast guest appearance videos
Where to start
Purchase:
- Domain names
- Hosting
- Email List Host
If you have not already purchased your author name, buy that and the title of your book.
If your author name is already taken, you might be able purchase…
- yournameauthor.com
- your full name including a middle initial.com
Even though you will own two domains (your author name and book title) you will only have one website.
Your author name will be your main website. The title of your book will redirect to your author name, so if your reader enters your name, or your book title, into their internet search field, they will be taken to one website.
I build sites exclusively in WordPress (WordPress.org not WordPress.com) because WordPress allows me to build a website structure that helps my authors get found online.
There are many hosting companies to choose from. I have worked with many of them because my clients have often purchased their hosting plan before asking me to build their website.
Gab my list of website hosting favorites and the approximate yearly cost. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Designing an appealing and user-friendly website layout
I work with pre-designed WordPress templates because my clients already have an idea of what they want their website to look like.
The problem is, knowing which template design will be best with their words and images.
The only way to know is to try different website templates.
Instead of purchasing a template first, and hoping it will be the right one, I work with my clients to choose up to four website templates that have potential. I then create mockups using my client’s words and pictures so that they can see if their content works well before they purchase the website template.
Would you like to schedule a 90-minute session to choose a website template? Click here to learn more, and to book your date and time.
Creating compelling and informative author bio and book pages
Are you someone potential buyers want to spend time with?
The purchase price of your book is minimal. Your buyers’ time is not.
Your author bio introduces you to your readers and shares the story behind your writing journey. A compelling bio that highlights your unique background, writing style, and the inspiration that lead to writing your book can help establish a personal connection with your audience.
Don’t hesitate to share anecdotes, professional achievements, and your passion for storytelling so that your bio resonates with readers and leaves a lasting impression.
You media page is another place to add your author bio, but it differs from the one on your About page. That’s because it is meant to be ready by a podcast host, or someone who will be introducing you to their audience.
Media page bios are written in the third person.
Write your bio in three lengths: 25 words, 50 words, and 75+ words. And try to use words that will capture a listener’s attention so they want to hear more, and want to purchase your book by the end of the interview.
Book reviews and testimonials
Readers often refer to online reviews and recommendations before purchasing a book. Positive book reviews and testimonials on your author book website can be a powerful tool for building trust and credibility.
Many authors have a Testimonials Page on their website. But testimonials can also be sprinkled throughout your website, and placed near relevant content for greater impact.
I will often put a testimonial at the top of a post or page to grab a website visitor’s attention so they want to read further.
Integrating social media and email marketing on your website
Social media icons placed in your website’s header appear on every page of your website. This encourages your visitors to connect with you on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Social media platforms make it easy to share your latest releases and upcoming events, and keep your followers up to date on your latest project.
Optimizing your author book website for search engines
A strong online presence is essential for authors looking to reach and engage with their target audience.
An author book website that is optimized for search engine traffic makes it easier for your book to be discovered by potential readers because your book website will appear at the top of search results when readers are looking for content related to your writing.
Search engine optimization (SEO) involves a series of techniques and strategies designed to improve the visibility and ranking of your website in search engine results.
When optimizing your author book website, start by conducting thorough keyword research to identify the terms and phrases that your target audience is most likely to use when searching for books in your genre. These keywords are then used strategically throughout your website’s content, including your book descriptions, blog posts and articles.
Regularly monitoring and analyzing your website’s performance with tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, you will know what website pages people visit most, and be able to improve on pages that you want to rank for, such as the description of your book.
Promoting your author book website through online marketing strategies
One of the most powerful ways to promote your author book website is by regularly publishing high-quality, engaging content on your website, such as blog posts, vlogs or podcasts.
Another effective online marketing strategy for authors is email marketing. Regularly sending emails about your book progress can help to maintain a strong connection with your audience and encourage them to visit your author book website for more information and updates.
My book mentor and accountability coach encourages me to get my followers phone numbers and their mailing address, too. “Pick up the phone and leave them a voice message. And send them a hand written note, too. Most people will not do this, but it has been the biggest factor leading to my success as an author.”
A Captivating Author Book Website that Boosts your Online Presence
An author book website that boosts your online presence…
- is optimized to bring more visitors to your page
- has content they want to read
- links to your social media pages
- asks people to stay connected via email
Throw in some ‘old school’ followup and you will soon be on your way to living your dream as an author.
