Your author website is the first step to your online brand as a writer. It goes without saying that you have to get it right. Whether you are using a drag-and-drop DIY like Authoract.com or you are hiring a developer, it can be daunting to decide what should be on it.
In this post, you will find out the 5 must-have features on your author website. In a rush? Watch the video below for a summary in less than one minute.
1. ABOUT PAGE
The first most important feature of an author website is the about me page. That is where you introduce yourself to your readers and the rest of the world. Anything about yourself that you want to share goes here. Do you have a pet? A hobby? Do you prefer Star Wars or The Fault In Our Stars? Keep it interesting and relatable.
2. CONTACT PAGE
Contact is key. Don’t make it difficult for people to reach you through your website. In fact, make it as easy as possible. Use a contact form builder like the Forms&Quizzes builder on Authoract to create a simple form from which people can send you messages. No matter what, never leave just your email and contact number on your website. It is unprofessional and will only end up making you the target of spammers and angry anti-writers. Yes, they’re a thing. Personally, I don’t bother to open up my email to send messages unless they are for work or my newsletter subscribers.
3. NEWSLETTER OPT-IN
What is the difference between a successful author and a struggling author? The number of books they’re selling. And what is the secret behind book sales? A crazy number of fans hungry for the next book. Hence, the need to build your list of newsletter subscribers. You can do this by inviting website visitors to join your newsletter. All you have to do is send the invitations from door to door. Just kidding😉 Most Authors simply put an opt-in box on their website asking for emails. You can also add a freebie to incentivise web visitors to join your newsletter.
Social Media Links
Make it easy for readers to find you on the platforms where they hangout. Adding your social media profile links is a great way to connect with readers and grow your following. If you’re just sticking out, it’s best to stick to Facebook and Twitter or Instagram depending on the genre in which you write. YA Fiction writers may have better results with Instagram than Twitter. This is because most YA Fiction audience are more likely to be on Instagram than Twitter.
Clear Genre(s)
This can not be stressed enough. Right from the homepage, make your genre(s) clear to avoid attracting the wrong readers or driving away your ideal audience. If you write in more than one genre, state both and have a dedicated page for each one. The biggest critics of writers are their readers. If your audience feel deceived because they got a different vibe from your website than from your books, you will pay for it in bad reviews. Nobody wants that. Not even the writers who never read reviews!
Conclusion
This sums up five of the most important features of an author website. Remember, people will always judge by what they see. If your website looks unprofessional, it will not attract people. If hiring a developer is beyond your budget, it is advisable to use a DIY drag-and-drop builder with customisable templates to get started. You can start building your website now for as low as $2.5 a month on Authoract.com. This special promotion is only available to readers of this blog. Click here to get started. Discount is already applied.