This is an easy-to-follow guide on how to create your author webpage + SEO tips. In today's digital landscape, having a dedicated online presence is no longer optional for authors – it's essential.

Your author website serves as your central hub, a place where readers can discover your books, learn more about you, and connect with your literary world. But where do you even begin? Fear not, fellow wordsmiths!

This guide will walk you through the key steps to creating author web pages that will help you sell books.

1. Laying the Foundation: Choosing Your Platform
Think of your website platform as the ground upon which you'll build your online home. Here are a few popular options, each with its own strengths:

• WordPress.org (Self-Hosted): This is a powerful and highly customisable option. You have complete control over your site, but it requires a bit more technical know-how, as you'll need to secure your own hosting and domain name. The flexibility it offers with themes and plugins is unparalleled.
• WordPress.com (Hosted): A more beginner-friendly version of WordPress. While less customisable than the self-hosted option, it handles the technical aspects for you. It's a great starting point for many authors.
• Squarespace: Known for its sleek and visually appealing templates, Squarespace is user-friendly and offers an all-in-one platform (hosting included). It's a fantastic choice if aesthetics are a top priority and you prefer a more curated experience.
• Other Website Builders (e.g., Wild Ink Pages, Webflow, and many others): Many of these platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces, making them incredibly easy to use, especially for those with no coding experience. They provide a good balance of customisation and simplicity.

Consider: Your technical comfort level, budget, desired level of customisation, and long-term goals when making this crucial decision.

Warning: My personal experience is that Wix.com is the worst:

• I found that Wix has the worst customer service out there. I couldn't get hold of them to fix a bug on my website for a whole year! After a whole year, I still hadn't received any help. Instead, I stopped waiting and went elsewhere.
• Wix is much more expensive than you think, making it not worth it. With all the features that I needed, I ended up paying $50 a month for it all. Especially if you're a beginning author or a poor creative, Wix is not a good option.
• Wix doesn't have as nice designs and layouts for authors as other Website builders.

The list of why I can't recommend Wix.com goes on and on, but I'll stop there. 

2. Domain Name and Hosting (if applicable):
Your domain name is your website's address (e.g., yourname.com or https://www.google.com/search?q=yourbooktitle.com). Choose something memorable, easy to spell, and relevant to your author brand.

If you opt for a self-hosted platform like WordPress.org, you'll also need to secure web hosting – a service that stores your website's files and makes them accessible online. Numerous hosting providers are available, so do your research to find one that fits your needs and budget. Just to give you an example, I use Namecheap.com. 

3. Designing Your Digital Space: Themes and Layout
The visual appeal of your website is crucial for making a good first impression. Most platforms offer a variety of themes or templates that provide a pre-designed structure for your site.

• Choose a theme that reflects your genre and author persona. A dark and mysterious theme might suit a thriller writer, while a bright and airy design could be perfect for a children's book author.
• Prioritise clean and intuitive navigation. Visitors should be able to easily find what they're looking for.
• Ensure your website is mobile-responsive. A significant portion of online traffic comes from mobile devices, so your site must look and function flawlessly on all screen sizes.

4. Essential Pages: The Heart of Your Author Website
Every author's website needs a few key pages to effectively connect with readers:

• Homepage: This is your website's welcome mat. It should immediately grab attention, introduce you and your work, and provide clear pathways to other important sections of your site. Feature your latest book, a compelling author bio snippet, and engaging visuals.
• Books: Dedicate a page (or multiple pages, depending on your catalogue) to showcasing your books. Include high-quality cover images, compelling synopses, purchase links (to various retailers), and perhaps even excerpts or reviews.
• About the Author: This is your chance to connect with readers on a personal level. Share your writing journey, inspirations, background, and anything else that helps readers feel a connection to you. Include a professional headshot.
• Blog: Keep your audience engaged by sharing updates on new releases, events, writing process insights, or thoughts on your genre. A blog adds fresh content to your site and can improve its search engine visibility.
• Contact: Make it easy for readers, media, and industry professionals to reach you. Provide a contact form and/or your email address.
• Optional Pages: Depending on your needs, you might also consider pages for events, media kits, a newsletter signup, or even a shop for signed copies or merchandise.

5. Engaging Your Readers: Content is Key
Beyond the basic pages, the content you provide will keep visitors coming back.

• High-Quality Images: Use professional-looking photos of yourself and your book covers.
• Compelling Writing: Your website content should be well-written, engaging, and reflective of your authorial voice.
• Calls to Action: Encourage visitors to take the next step, whether it's buying your book, signing up for your newsletter, or following you on social media. Use clear and concise calls to action (e.g., "Order Now," "Join My Newsletter," "Follow Me on Bluesky").

6. Spreading the Word: Promotion and SEO
Once your website is live, you need to let people know it exists!

• Include your website address on all your marketing materials: Bookmarks, business cards, social media profiles, email signatures, etc.
• Share updates from your website on social media.
• Consider Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Use relevant keywords in your website content and descriptions to help search engines like Google find your site. Many website platforms offer built-in SEO tools or plugins.

7. Maintaining Your Online Home: Keep it Fresh
Your author website is not a static entity. Regularly update it with new book releases, blog posts, events, and any other relevant information. Check for broken links and ensure all information is accurate.

Building your author web pages is an investment in your career. It's a space where you can truly connect with your readers and build a lasting platform for your literary endeavours.

Take your time, be authentic, and enjoy the process of creating your online home. Remember that personality, your life stories and authentic enthusiasm are what are selling your books. So show off your handsome/beautiful face, write your web texts with I's and You's, and get cracking!