For authors, finding the best author website design services is a must to build your credibility and bring in those hard-earned sales. Your author website matters, and not just for aesthetic purposes.
The best author website design services provide your readers with a stunning first impression of you, the author. Click on a professionally created website and you’re bound to stick around. Click on one that glitches and doesn’t look well-crafted, and you’re bound to leave.
Websites act as an online resume for writers. They allow your readers to get to know you, your work, and how you present yourself. They can also point to your book and wrack up sales you may otherwise miss. If you are an author or aspiring author, having a website you’re proud of can make all the difference.
In this article, I cover everything you need to know about the best author website design services so you can make a first impression that wows your readers.
Best author website design services: what you learn
- What website is best for authors?
- How do I find someone to design a website?
- How much do website designers charge per website?
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What website is best for authors?
The best websites for authors depends on how you want to create it, what aesthetic you go for, and specific functionalities you desire.
When I first started out, I used a free template with WordPress to create my site. Now that my career has evolved and I do quite a bit of work as an editor, I hired a team in Greece to create my website from scratch with Squarespace.
Remember, you don’t have to stick with one platform forever. Just as there are different plot structures you can choose from for various book genres, you can use an array of design services as you move throughout your author career.
How do I find someone to design a website?
Word-of-mouth is a great way to find the best author website design services due to its reliability (the same is true for finding a book editor). When I hired the team in Greece to build my site, I loved the process (and the final product!) so much I couldn’t stop talking about it.
But what if you don’t have the luxury of chatting with other authors at this time or you need to find a designer now? I have you covered! Below is a list of best author website design services for you to choose from.
99designs
99designs is a great place to find the best author website design services. However, they also offer everything from packaging and label design to art and illustrations. 99designs hosts an array of designers who span the globe.
Each designer has expertise in a specific area, so you have a high chance of finding the exact fit for you and your website needs.
While 99designs is not a singular entity, it offers a plethora of designers across a variety of platforms. If you want options, and lots of them, this is a great place to look for the best author website design services.
Hamilton Website Design
Based in New York and with a cohesive, streamlined approach to website design, Hamilton’s portfolio boasts an array of clients, not least of which are authors. His eye for showcasing his clients’ strengths shows through in his portfolio. This takes a practiced eye, and one Hamilton’s experience speaks to.
Exodus Design
Exodus Design has been in business for nearly three decades, servicing clients on every single continent except Antarctica. They offer website creation as well as website maintenance and updates.
If you make money publishing books on Amazon and need an author page added to your website, Exodus Design can update your site.
Charlotte Duckworth
Focused on creating simple, yet elegant Squarespace websites for authors, Charlotte Duckworth has made a name for herself among the best author website design services. Duckworth works with bestselling authors, designing sites that grab readers.
Design by Christi Fultz
Design by Christi Fultz, who is based in Florida, focuses her design expertise on creating WordPress websites for teachers and authors. If you are an author for younger readers or a teacher-turned-aspiring author, check out Fultz’s work.
Nice Branding Agency
Nice Branding Agency, based out of Nashville, Tennessee, offers a wide variety of designs, including web design. They understand the importance branding plays, and as a result, can join the list of best author website design services.
They say, “Your website design sets the tone of your brand for every online visitor. Customers . . . [will] immediately draw conclusions based on your brand and website design.”
Their goal is to help your customers, or readers, draw the right conclusions about you as an author and click through to purchase!
Jin and Co
Jin and Co, led by Jin Wang, focuses his services on helping authors promote their “books and brand with a tailored, expertly designed, professional author website.”
He’s a designer based in Melbourne, Australia, and works with authors, bloggers, and an array of creatives. With a personal mantra of be proactive, he’s sure to be a step ahead of you in the creation of your dream website.
Meraki Branding
This female-led business is one of the best author website design services I’ve come across. Meraki Branding has designed over 400 websites in 8+ languages, and has over 15 years of expertise.
Their personalized, collaborative approach enables their clients to achieve the vision they didn’t even know they wanted.
Having worked with Meraki Branding, I love their ability to manifest a writer’s vision in a way that accentuates exactly what should be showcased, while keeping each website brand cohesive and on-brand.
How much do website designers charge per website?
The cost for each website design depends on the services you need as well as the designer you work with. However, many designs start around $500 and can go into the thousands. If you wonder how much it costs to build your website, including the designer, there are a few more factors involved.
For example, you will likely want a unique domain name and need to invest several hundred dollars in web hosting services. You may choose to start with a template site, which can be free, or require a small investment.
If you choose to hire a designer, investing in the best author website design services you are able to can transform your author credibility. Designers often charge several thousand dollars to build a website from scratch. It’s important to remember what all is included in a website design.
Typically, authors need to include a:
- Standout landing page
- Compelling author bio
- Navigation links
- Books page
- Blog
While you do not need to include all of the above, it helps to hire a designer to create an author bio page so your viewers can get to know you. A blog helps your website show up in search engines (allowing readers to find you) and a book’s page will help you get your book noticed.
Best author website design services: take your next step
Ready to create a book you can feature on your website? Use our free Book Outline Generator to get started. Simply work from the outline, fine-tune it to your needs, and get to writing. It’s time to write that book and feature it on your website!
Book Outline Generator
Choose your Fiction or Nonfiction book type below to get your free chapter by chapter outline!
Book Outline Generator
Enter your details below and get your pre-formatted outline in your inbox and start writing today!
CONGRATULATIONS
Thanks for submitting! Check your email for your book outline template.
In the meantime, check out our Book Outline Challenge.
