Learning how to build an author website is critical for your writing success. Whether you choose to self-publish or traditionally publish, your author website is a hub for your writing.
If you don’t have a book out yet, you can use a website to learn how to become a writer. Write shorter form pieces, such as blogs, and post them to your website.
On top of being a necessity for today’s writers, learning how to build an author website has the potential to completely change your author dreams.
Andy Weir, author of The Martian, published his debut novel in serialized form on his website. He gained so much traction that he then self-published.
Today, we know Andy Weir as the author of the successful novel that turned into a feature film starring Matt Damon. This journey began simply because Weir had an author website.
How to build an author website: what you learn
- How do I create my own author website?
- Do authors have their own website?
- Do I really need an author website?
- How should an author website look?
How do I create my own author website?
Learning how to build an author website can be as simple as using a template, as in-depth as creating your own code, or as hands-off as hiring a team to build one for you. Remember that your author website can take as much or as little time as you want.
Aspiring authors often wonder, How long does it take to write a book? Just as this answer varies from author to author, how long it takes to build a website varies as well. Below are steps to take as you learn how to build an author website!
1. Choose a platform
How to build an author website? Start with choosing a platform. There are many platforms you can use for your website. Your individual needs and goals should impact the platform you choose.
Here are a few options to help get you thinking:
You could also consider creating a profile on writing platforms such as Medium or Substack. However, I recommend building out an author website, then sharing your website blogs on this type of platform. Not only will this get your name online, but you will have a hub for your own writing while also engaging with other writers on more networking-focused sites.
When I started out learning how to build an author website, I created a free WordPress account, and you can do so as well. You can choose your own, free domain name, just know that if you use a free version your domain will have dot wordpress dot com following it. WordPress is easy to navigate and provides simple templates that are clean and easy to use.
After writing for some time on WordPress, I transitioned over to Squarespace. When I used Squarespace 7.0 I simply personalized Squarespace templates. When I decided to switch over to Squarespace 7.1 I hired a team to build a website for me.
If you know how to code, you may choose to play around with building your own site rather than using templates or hiring a team to create one for you.
2. Settle on a domain name
I briefly mentioned domains above, but your domain name is the URL for your website. Unless you use a free version of WordPress (or something similar), you will need to purchase your domain name. How do you build an author website with a unique domain name?
Many authors simply use their name, use their name plus a word related to writing, or create a short phrase that sums up their brand.
You can use Bluehost to see if your desired domain is available. You can use GoDaddy to purchase and register your domain. Purchasing your domain name should not be too expensive, unless you want a name that is taken or viewed as “high value.”
Play around with different names, ask for feedback on what people gravitate to, and then be sure and purchase your desired domain before someone else does!
3. Choose what content is vital for your site
Once you choose your website platform and register your domain name, it’s time to choose what copy you want on your site.
For example, most websites, no matter how minimal, include a:
- Landing page
- About page
- Contact form
Before delving into more specifics on how to build an author website, let’s briefly discuss each page.
Landing page
Your landing page is the most important part of your website. If you can’t catch a reader’s attention with your first page, it doesn’t matter what you put on your other pages. Chances are simply too high that readers will bounce from your site to a different one that catches their interest.
If you are writing a book for the first time you probably wonder what to put on your landing page. You’re an aspiring author, after all. You’re not published yet, not a book coach, and not well-known.
That’s okay! You can still create an incredible landing page that draws your readers in and makes them want to click around to find more.
Content for your landing page can be simple. This will help your website maintain a clean, streamlined look. Include your name, your tagline, and perhaps a button where readers can subscribe.
About page
Your About page, or author bio, is simply where people can find out more about you. This is where to share what makes you uniquely credible to write the book you are writing, any achievements that pertain to your budding career, and a few personal details.
Readers love getting to know authors at both a professional and personal level. If you won awards for your writing, share about this in your bio. If you can only write with a full cup of coffee in hand, share this too. Mix the professional with the personal for a well-rounded author bio.
Contact form
While a contact form may seem unnecessary for how to build an author website, your contact form is key to your website. Of course, if you’re a New York Times bestselling author and inundated with messages, you can disregard this part. Instead, you may want to list your management or agent’s contact information.
For those of us who aren’t household names, simply include your email address or create a form where people can connect with you. Personally, I prefer a form box. It looks more professional and makes it easier for the reader. They simply fill out a message and press send.
Bonus: subscribe for updates
Platform is important for authors, and something publishers for new authors expect writers to have (or be building). Be sure to include a place where viewers can share their email in exchange for your newsletter. This is the bare minimum for how to build an author website. I discuss more options later in this blog!
4. Build out your author blog
As an author, you will likely share about your book via your blog. As you near publication you will want to create a launch team and marketing plan, but for now, focus on your blog.
It’s helpful to have several blog posts ready to post so that when your website goes live, you have content on every page.
There are a variety of avenues you can take when deciding what to blog about. A good place to start is by asking what genre you plan to write in and if a blog fits into that same topic.
If you write nonfiction, a blog on the same topic could help build your readership. (For a great example of this, consider James Clear’s book Atomic Habits and his condensed 3-2-1 newsletter topics.) For fiction, you may want to share behind-the-scenes of various characters or your writing process. Be creative with it and have fun!
5. Create your author website
Learning how to build an author website doesn’t stop with preparation. Now it’s time to take those action steps and get your site up and running. How you choose to move forward depends on your areas of expertise.
Use a template
Templates are a quick and easy way to get your website running. Simply choose a template that fits your brand and then personalize it to your preferences. Do note that templates, though helpful, do not leave much room for personalization or individual creativity.
Write the code yourself
If you know how to code, you can also choose to create the website yourself. If you want to learn how to code, you may want to simply start with a template, make your website live, and then learn coding on the backend.
Learning how to build an author website via coding is a great skill to have, but it’s a slow process. It’s important to get your website in front of your readers so you can build that readership.
Hire a team
If you don’t want the structure of a template but don’t yet have the skills to personalize your site with coding, hire a team. I worked with a team in Greece that I absolutely loved. They were extremely helpful, grasped my vision, and were a pleasure to work with. You can look for teams via 99designs or simply an internet search.
6. Find inspiration and solidify your brand
Steps five and six go hand in hand. It’s difficult to start building your website (or talking with a team) if you don’t know what you want. However, it’s also difficult to know what you want without playing around with your website.
Whichever order you do these steps in, be sure your inspiration fits your brand and goals. There are so many amazing websites out there, but you want to represent yourself, not an author you love.
Play around with colors, fonts, and images. You can make use of Pinterest to track your inspo, or use Canva for more hands-on help. Part of how to build an author website is finding creative inspiration.
7. Invest in headshots
I know writers often dislike being in front of the camera, but part of learning how to publish a book includes getting those headshots! Find a photographer whose work you like and reach out. Even a mini session (15-30 minutes) can yield a great headshots for your website.
Headshots will make your website more personable and literally provide a face with your name. In a world with so much content vying for your readers’ attention, a friendly face can make you stand out!
8. Consider search engine optimization (SEO)
Who knew that a post on how to build an author website would include search engine optimization (SEO)? SEO is a tremendous topic but can greatly enhance your website impressions. Whether you work with an SEO copywriter or take a few SEO classes on LinkedIn, a cursory understanding can boost your site’s rankings.
Learn how to build an author website that not only draws readers in, but ranks in search engines. The more your website is seen the better your chances of potential readers discovering you and your work.
9. Add a books page
Once you learn how to build an author website and launch, it’s time to split your time between updating your site and publishing your book.
Remember the purpose behind your website is to help your author career. It’s difficult to launch your career if you spend all your time on your website! Be sure to get your book into the world as soon as you can.
When you know it’s time to put your book into the world, add a books page to your website. If you designed your own site, simply create a new page. If you hired a team, reach back out to them.
Your books page is simply a hub where readers can find and purchase your books. Your author website does not need to have a books page from day one. If you’re not published yet, you can’t sell books! But as soon as readers can pre-order, make sure you add your books page.
10. Booking form
Similar to leveraging a contact form in how to build an author website, if you write nonfiction or hope to launch a speaking career alongside your books, add a booking form. A booking form is similar to a contact form, but with a few more options. Many websites offer a form box with a drop-down menu you can personalize.
For example, if you write children’s books and want to speak in schools, create a form where people can book you to do so. You could include details such as:
- The date the school wants you
- What grades they want you to speak to
- Topic choices for them to choose from
Simply having a form can help build your speaking credibility and bring in new opportunities. Plus, speaking is a great way to build your platform. Don’t forget to bring books to your next speaking gig and ask to set up a book table at the time of booking!
Do authors have their own website?
Most authors today have some form of online presence, and this generally includes a website. You don’t need to be well-established to create a website. In fact, if you’re not known yet, all the more reason to learn how to build an author website. Knowing how to build an author website applies to beginners and experts!
Once you are established, maintain your website. This acts as an online portfolio of your books and provides a way for people to book you for speaking gigs or connect with you.
Here are just a few authors who have their own website. Click the links to view how they created their own unique twist:
Browse their sites and see what inspiration you can find for your own website. You could even use their contact form and ask for tips on how to build an author website for yourself. What works well for them? What have they found doesn’t work?
Do I really need an author website?
You need an author website so readers can discover your work. Remember Andy Weir, who learned how to publish a book for free and at the same time, created a viral book?
Hopefully you are a writer because you love writing (if not, maybe consider a different career path!). If this is the case, you can use your website to share your writing as well as increase your ability to continue writing.
What do I mean? Here are a few reasons why you really do need an author website:
- Get your name ranking in search engines
- Provide a place where readers can discover your work
- Establish yourself as a credible author
- Blog about your books
Imagine for a moment that you are an avid reader. You love a specific author and want to learn more about their work. You open your favorite search engine and type in their name. Nothing shows in the results.
Now imagine the same situation but this time, you discover a simple, but inviting, author website. You subscribe to the author’s newsletter. Then you find their books page and pre-order their upcoming title. Which author do you want to be? This is why you need an author website!
How should an author website look?
Your website should reflect your author brand, goals, and accomplishments. So, as we round out this extensive piece on how to build an author website, it’s important to discuss aesthetics.
Consider the authors I shared above. Bestselling author DiAnn Mills writes adventure stories. When you first open her website you see an image of her sitting in a gorgeous forest with the words “expect an adventure” on the page.
This directly aligns with her author brand. She writes adventure stories and she herself looks immersed in her very own adventure.
Author Kerk Murray writes sweet romance. His website is filled with pastels, images of beaches, white sand, dogs (frequent characters in his novels), and little heart graphics. His website design shows the reader exactly what kind of read they will get when they purchase one of his books.
Dani Pettrey writes “up all night suspense.” Her homepage image is an ominous desert. If you scroll down just slightly you will see her latest releases. Each book features images that speak to a suspenseful read.
Andy Weir’s website throws you into a science fiction world. As soon as you enter his site you experience sci-fi like fonts, black and white colors reminiscent of space, and his latest release.
No matter what genre you write, adventure, romance, suspense, or science fiction, use your genre as inspiration for your website design.
Follow this list to help ensure your site reflects your chosen genre:
- My font reinforces my genre
- My colors align with the type of the books I write
- Any images I use add to the tone of my books
- My blog delves deeper into my genre
- My contact page reflects my genre
Tip: If you write more light-hearted fiction, you may want to play around with your contact page. For instance, instead of simply saying “Contact [NAME] here,” consider something more original.
You could try something like:
- Trapped in space and need help? Contact me here!
- Need some adventure tips? Reach out via this form!
- Eager to connect with [CHARACTER’S NAME] matchmaker? Fill out this form!
This makes your website more friendly and reader-focused.
How to build an author website: take your first step!
Eager to write and publish your book so you can add it to your author website? Simply use our free Book Outline Generator! This generator helps you create your outline so can get directly to writing.
Writing your book is a huge step in your author journey. We have worked with over 7000 students, and we know you can be the next one to become a published author. Best wishes on your outline!
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Building an Author Website FAQ
Should authors have their own website?
Yes, having an author website is necessary for building your online presence, connecting with readers, and marketing your books. It serves as a central hub for all your writing activities and provides a professional platform to showcase your work.
What kind of website should a writer have?
A writer should have a professional website that includes a landing page, about page, contact form, blog, and a page showcasing their books. The site should reflect the writer’s brand, be easy to navigate, and provide valuable content to readers.
When should you get an author website?
You should get an author website as soon as you decide to pursue a writing career. Even if you don’t have a book published yet, a website can help you build an online presence, connect with potential readers, and share your writing journey.
What should I call my author website?
Your author website domain name should ideally be your name (e.g., [YourName].com). If your name is common and already taken, consider adding a keyword related to your writing or brand (e.g., [YourNameWrites].com).
What are the benefits of an author website?
An author website helps you build your brand, connect with readers, showcase your work, improve your online visibility, and provide a platform for selling your books. It also offers a professional space for networking and marketing your writing.
