5 Important Elements to Include on Your Author Website

If you’re a published author, then it is crucial that you have a website set up as a means of promoting yourself (your personal brand) and your books. While the online world may seem like an entirely different realm compared to the simplicity of putting pen to paper, it’s quite easy to tackle once you get the hang of it. Websites are important because they are a central place for you to market your books and create a space where fans can communicate and reach out to you. Here are 5 important things to include on your author website.

An About Page

It’s important to include an about page or author bio so that readers can get a sense of who you are. Readers want to know more about you and the types of books you’re writing. Adding a short bio allows your readers to get a taste of your unique personality and why you write the way you do. This can sometimes offer more dimensionality to the books themselves, particularly if they are based on some sort of personal experiences or events. Other great things to include in your bio would be answers to the following questions:

1)      What inspires you to write?

2)      What type of genres do your books explore?

3)      What is the target audience for your books?

Books You’ve Written

Of course, you want to include a page that lists all of the books you have written. Make sure to include a cover photo of each book as well as a short summary of what the reader can expect. Additionally, you want to include links to where your books can be purchased. To get readers interested in purchasing the book, authors will oftentimes include quotes or excerpts—these are a great way to stir up interest and convince readers to buy your book so they can read on.

Contact Information

Make sure that you have a personal contact page that lists your e-mail as well as links to your various social media accounts. You want to make it easy for readers to contact you and interact with you on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Some authors will include a contact form on their site that makes it easy for visitors to ask questions. Simple web forms are also a good way to avoid spam e-mails.

Another thing you can add to the contact section of your website is an option for visitors to sign up to an e-mail list. This is a great way to collect subscriber e-mails and garner support for your books. Plus, it’ll provide you with a comprehensive list you can target with news about new book releases or information about author events and book signings.

A Blog

One of the great things to include on your website is an integrated blog page. This blog would be a great place to post author news and events, or short messages to your subscribers. It can also help you add more personality to your site and provide another great place for you to interact with your followers and reply to their questions or comments.

Design and Layout

You want to make sure that your author page looks professional and showcases your best work. Sloppy design can oftentimes detract from your site. Make sure that your page headings and contact information are easy to find, and that your navigation is consistent. In terms of design, you want to make sure that your site reflects your personality and is unique to you. Including a familiar logo or picture on each page will help lend continuity and give readers something familiar to reference when they return to your site.

For more information on marketing your books online, visit www.perfectpublishingsystem.com.

By: Sabina Muslimovic