How to Build an Author Website

If you're an author looking to make your work more accessible to readers, having an author website is essential. An author website allows you to showcase your work, connect with readers, and build a platform for yourself in the publishing world.

Building an author website can seem daunting, but with the proper guidance, it doesn't have to be. This post will cover the essential steps for creating a successful author website in 2023.

Read on to learn how to get started and create a website to help you reach your goals as an author.

Let's Dive In!

What is an Author Website?

An author's website is created to market their books, promote their writing, and connect with readers. It’s a great way to showcase an author’s work, reach an audience, and build a platform for future success.

Many authors use their sites to keep readers up to date on what they’re writing and upcoming projects. They may also include an “about me” page detailing their background, writing experience, and personal interests.

An author website can also provide fans additional content, including author interviews, book reviews, and helpful writing tips.

Why You Need a Website to Grow as an Author

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is more important than ever for authors. A website allows you to reach new readers and get your books in front of them more easily. It also allows potential readers to learn more about you and your books.

Here are some of the key reasons why you need a website to grow as an author:

1. Establish Your Brand

An author's website allows you to establish your brand and create a professional, consistent identity. It’s the perfect platform to showcase your writing portfolio and help readers get to know the real you.

2. Connect with Readers

An author's website allows you to connect with your readers and build relationships with them. You can use your website to share updates, post blog posts, and even host Q&A sessions. It’s also a great way to announce new books and upcoming events.

3. Increase Visibility

An author website is a great way to increase your visibility and reach new readers. You can use your website to drive traffic to your books and build an email list for marketing purposes. You can also use social media to help promote your website and drive more traffic.

4. Sell Books

Having an author website allows you to sell your books directly to readers. You can easily set up a store page on your website where readers can purchase your books.

How to Build an Author Website (Essential Guide for 2023)

Creating an author website is a great way to get your name out there, promote your work, and make it easier for people to find you and your books. But where do you start?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create an effective author website in 2023.

Recommended free tool: EarlyBird

EarlyBird is a landing page builder that allows authors to create and publish one-pager websites. It comes with pre-installed analytics and payment integrations, giving authors control over their publications. You could even link your custom domain name to EarlyBird.

Overall, EarlyBird simplifies creating and managing an author's website by providing a range of valuable features in a single package.

Not so easy approach

If you want to do everything manually, refer to the steps below. Which purchasing a domain name is highly recommended, every other step mentioned below requires more groundwork, labor, and sweat.

Step 1: Choose Your Domain Name

The first step to creating an author website is choosing a domain name. It is the address that people will type into their web browser to go to your website.

Ideally, it would help if you chose something easy to remember and included your name. For example, if your name is John Smith, you could go with johnsmithauthor.com or johnsmithbooks.com.

If your name is already taken, consider using a variation on your name (e.g., johnsmithwrites.com or johnsmithnovels.com). You can add words like “author” or “books” to your domain name to make it more descriptive.

Step 2: Find a Web Hosting Service

Once you’ve chosen a domain name, you’ll need to find a web hosting service to host your website. There are a lot of web hosting companies out there, so it’s essential to do your research and find one that suits your needs.

Look for companies that offer reliable servers, good customer service, and a reasonable price. You should also ensure the company offers features like automatic backups, SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protection, and other security measures.

Step 3: Choose a Website Design Platform

Now that you’ve chosen a domain name and a hosting web service, it’s time to pick a website design platform. It is the software you’ll use actually to create your website.

There are many options, from drag-and-drop website builders to content management systems like EarlyBird. At EarlyBird, we understand the importance of creating effective landing pages that your target audience will love.

We also offer a variety of powerful features to help you make the most of your landing page. From A/B testing to advanced targeting, EarlyBird has all the tools you need to optimize your page and increase conversions.

Step 4: Design Your Website

Once you’ve chosen a website design platform, it’s time to start designing your website. Start by creating a navigation menu and other pages like an “About” page, a “Books” page, and a “Contact” page.

It would help if you also considered adding features like a blog, a newsletter signup form, and social media buttons. Once you’re done designing your website, you’ll be ready to launch it.

Step 5: Promote Your Website

The final step to creating an effective author website is promoting it. To do this, you should start by submitting your website to search engines like Google and Bing. You should also create profiles on popular social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook and use them to promote your website.

Conclusion

Creating an author website is vital for promoting your work and building a following. In this guide, we'll teach you the essential steps you need to take to build a successful author website in 2023.

Our steps will help you create a website that showcases your writing skills, connects you with readers, and generates leads for your next book launch.

Ready to create a stunning landing page that your readers will love? Sign up for EarlyBird today and start building beautiful, high-converting author landing pages!