Whether you’re releasing your very first book or you’ve been publishing for years, one thing remains true: every author benefits from having a dedicated author website.
It doesn’t need to be complicated or flashy. In fact, some of the best author websites are surprisingly minimal. What matters is that you have a central place your readers can rely on and a home that belongs entirely to you.
In a world where algorithms shift daily and social platforms come and go, your author website is the one corner of the internet you actually control. Here’s why that matters more than ever.
You Control Your Narrative (and Your First Impression)
Readers, reviewers, bloggers and journalists all do the same thing: they Google you. It’s instinctive.
Your website ensures the first thing they find is exactly what you want them to find; not an outdated bio, an old social profile, or the remnants of a forgotten blog you started in 2014.
On your website, you get to shape how you present yourself as an author, which books you showcase and how you showcase them, what tone you set and which information you want to prioritise.
It is a professional, welcoming introduction that reassures people they’re in the right place.
It Gives Your Books a Professional Home
Retailers like Amazon, Waterstones, Kobo and others do a brilliant job at selling books, but your titles are always competing with thousands of others. On the flipside, your author website will give each of your books a space to breathe.
You could have a dedicated page for each of your books, including:
It’s your space where your work can shine without distraction.
Your Website Grows With You
An author website is not a one time thing. It evolves as you do. Whether you publish once every decade or several times a year, your website becomes a record of your writing journey.
It can host any number of things. There really is no limit. You could include:
It becomes a long term, central hub, and it helps readers to connect with you as an author.
You’re Not Dependent on Anyone Else’s Platform
Social media is powerful, but it’s unpredictable. Algorithms shift, engagement can fluctuate and platforms go through phases. And none of them belong to you.
Your website, on the other hand, is algorithm-proof.
Readers can always find you, even if you take a break from social media or move between platforms. And when someone discovers you for the first time, your website tells them everything they need to know, without you just hoping they stumble across the right post.
You Don’t Need To Be Technical To Get Started
There are so many options today with regards to building a website. There are many simple systems that offer great templates, like Wix, that allow virtually anyone to create a website. You don’t need intricate design skills or hundreds of pages. You just need somewhere that feels like yours.
There are also companies, such as Lindie, that offer cost effective website design. We build author websites in WordPress and even offer basic training, so you can move on to look after it yourself with no long term costs.
With so much choice, there are virtually no barriers to success today.
If you’re struggling to know how to get started, contact us at Lindie and we’ll offer some free advice.
