Let’s address the elephant in the room. We are authors, not web designers. Yet, most of us have or will have to set up and run our own website. We aren’t paid enough to hire a professional to do it. So, how do you make your website look professional while doing it yourself? I already covered how to create a website and a brand (with fonts and colors). It’s time we looked at the necessary elements of a good author website.
First off, you’ll need the normal webpages: homepage, about page, and contact page. After these, there are ten things associated with most successful author websites.
1. Blog
You need something interactive on your website. You can do just one post a month, but you need some way to engage readers. Write about your current book progress, your life, a hobby, or anything else that enhances your brand image. You may not have many interactions with readers, but it’s good to give them something new to see every now and then. Plus, it helps search engine optimization for your website.
2. FAQ Page
It’s important to have a page that addresses frequently asked questions for people who want to know more. It may seem silly when you first start out, since no one is asking you questions, but you can cover generic topics. Try offering books to read about writing or something personal about you. If you have a hard time coming up questions, ask the people you know what they would want to learn about an author. You can use their questions until you start getting more from your own audience.
3. Book Page
Most people who come to your website will want to know what books you have written. Make it easy for them. Have a webpage where you list all your books with their cover images. Then, make each book cover clickable so it takes them to a separate page about that book. On this new page, have the front and back cover images, book summary, reviews, endorsements, and buttons for buying options. Make it easy for them to discover a new book and buy it.
4. Book Extras
I once heard someone say you should treat your author website as a DVD “Special Features” section, and I loved the comparison. This is a place your fans can go to see more when they are waiting for another book. Offer deleted scenes or alternated endings. Explain how you came up with a book premise or talk about how you developed the setting for a book. You could even do an interview with your main character. Just give the reader more.
5. Fan Art
This is something not all authors will be able to do. If your book gets big, you may have people sending in fan art for your books. Or, you could commission someone to do some art for a book. They are readers, but everyone likes a little visualization every now and then.
6. Short Stories
Giving your fans something to read while they wait for the next book is always good. If you can tie it into a series you are doing or have done, that helps with marketing too. Pick a side character for a short story. Or, give the readers a flashback of a main character. Keep them wanting more and don’t let them forget about your series before the next book is out.
7. Book Status
I included this, but I also want to warn against it as well. A progress bar showing your book moving toward completion can be good for super fans who want to see where you are in the writing process. However, if you don’t write on a regular basis or are very slow, this can be more frustrating to fans than helpful. Make sure you will keep the bar moving forward before you put this online. It makes a great accountability partner, but it can hurt your image if you don’t make progress.
8. Email Newsletter Signup
Every website needs an email signup. This is the main way you will get contact information for your fans. It’s the most direct way to tell them when you have a book coming out or a great book deal. If you don’t have a lot of time to do newsletters, you can just do it quarterly. You’ll need to decide what to put into your newsletter, but we’ll save that for another post.
9. Giveaways
A lot of authors do this on social media nowadays, but you can do it on your website too. Give a special offer for signing up for your newsletter, or offer signed books occasionally. People love free things, and it gives them another chance to engage with you.
10. Social Media Icons
You’ll want to make sure you have links on your website to your social media accounts. Since most people spend a lot of time on social media, if they follow you, they will see news faster than checking your website occasionally. Make it easy for them to find and follow you by having links to your profiles.
Optional Website Addition
Depending on your genre, book club extras may be good to have on your website. I write fantasy, and not many book clubs read fantasy books. However, if you write literary fiction, mystery, or historical fiction, you may have a fan base in book clubs. Providing printable discussion questions, videos, or options to buy books in bulk will make it easier on book club leaders. While ease is not the only reason these clubs pick books, it definitely doesn’t hurt your marketability.
Final Thoughts
In my research on how to make an author website with the best chance at success, these are the ten elements I found. I want to give credit where it is due, the best resource I found on author websites is Thomas Umstattd Jr. He gives a lot of author business advice that I have found very helpful. If business is a struggle for you, I’d suggest checking out his Author Media website for tips. He’s helped me quite a bit so far on my writing career journey, and I’m sure you’ll find a lot of useful advice as well.
Thanks for reading!
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