The Benefits Of Creating Your Own Professional Author Website

Table of Contents [Hide]

Creating A Professional Author Website: Everything You Need To Know

An author website is an essential tool for any aspiring writer. Not only does a professional website showcase your writing portfolio, but it is also a great way to stay connected to your readers and publishers. With that in mind, here's an in-depth guide on how to create and design a professional and effective author website.

The number one priority of an author website is to make it as easy as possible for readers and publishers to gain access to your work. With that in mind, there are a two main features you should definitely include in your website:

  • A portfolio page displaying your writing work.

  • A contact page detailing how potential clients can reach you.

In addition to those main features, other elements that can add value to an author website include:

  • A blog section with regular content.

  • A page dedicated to past and future book releases.

  • An events page showcasing events you are attending or speaking at.

  • Integration with social media accounts (e.g. Twitter, Facebook).

  • A customer service page with frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Having an author website can be hugely beneficial for any aspiring writer. Here are some of the most noteworthy advantages of having an author website:

  • A professional website can help you establish a strong brand.

  • You can easily highlight your work portfolio.

  • You can gain insight into your readership with analytics.

  • It can be used to publish a mailing list or newsletter.

  • It can be used to direct potential customers to your books.

  • It can help with networking and sharing your work with publishers.

As with any venture, there are both pros and cons that come with creating and designing an author website. Here are the key advantages and disadvantages of having an author website:

  • Pros:

    • Increased web presence

    • Opportunity to showcase your writing work

    • Platform to connect with readers

    • Chance to promote your books to potential customers

  • Cons:

    • It can take a significant amount of time to create and design the website

    • It can be costly to pay for web hosting and web design services

    • You may struggle to gain traction with your website

    • You may need help from a professional web designer

Struggling to get an idea of the kind of professional author website you can create? Here are two case studies from authors who successfully created their own author websites:

  • David Gaughran an indie author with seven published books. David used WordPress to create his website and used it to showcase his portfolio, promote forthcoming books, and reach out to publishers. He also used it to tweet content and publish blog posts.

  • J.K. Rowling the renowned author whose Harry Potter books have sold over 500 million copies. Her website is a comprehensive hub with information about her books, updates on any new releases, and even a fan forum so that readers can connect with one another and discuss the books.

Getting an author website up and running can be a tricky process. Here are some common questions and answers about creating an author website:

  • What platform should I use to host my site? WordPress is the most popular platform for creating an author website. It is highly user-friendly and can be customized with plugins, widgets, and themes.

  • Do I need to hire a website designer? You can use a website builder service to create your own website without the help of a designer, but hiring a professional web designer may be beneficial if you want a high-end website.

  • How often should I post content? How frequent you post content will depend on the type of content you are creating. However, it is generally good practice to post regularly to engage and grow an audience.

Creating an author website is an important process, but it isn't exempt from making mistakes. Here are a few of the common mistakes to watch out for when creating an author website:

  • Not having a clear purpose or plan for the website.

  • Neglecting to include a portfolio page or contact page.

  • Using a stock template with no personal touches.

  • Not paying attention to accessibility and usability.

Creating an effective author website doesn't come without effort. Here are some of the best practices to consider for creating a professional and successful author website:

  • Choose a simple layout with minimal distractions.

  • Include plenty of high-quality visuals.

  • Ensure the website is mobile-friendly.

  • Include only relevant content that is valuable to readers.

  • Include appropriate calls to action.

  • Ensure text is easy to read, not cluttered, and broken up into paragraphs and bullet points.

Creating an author website is an essential tool for any aspiring writer. It can help you establish a strong presence online, showcase your writing portfolio, gain insight into your readership, and direct customers to your books. However, creating a professional website does come with its own challenges, such as devoting time to creating a website, potential costs of hosting services, and struggling to gain traction. To ensure a successful outcome, it is important to consider features, benefits, pros and cons, case studies, FAQ's, mistakes people make, and best practices for creating a professional author website.

In conclusion, author websites are an important part of any writer's success. To ensure you create an effective and professional website, it is important to take the time to carefully research and plan your website before taking the plunge. With the right preparation and dedication, you can create a successful author website that will benefit you for years to come.