4 Key Elements of an Author Web Site

Web sites today have all sorts of proverbial bells and whistles. But for an author’s web site, it really needs only three elements, and possibly a fourth.

1. A home page that introduces you and your work.

When a visitor clicks on your web site, he or she will only spend a few seconds actually reading it. For that reason, you want to have your most important information ready for immediate review.

Depending on your web site content design, you might add a separate “about” page, in which you share your biography in more detail. Your home page would only have your basic biography.

If someone chooses to reach out to you through social media, having appropriate links on each page makes it easier for him or her to do so.

2. A works page.

The works page lists your published works, ideally with summaries, book cover images, testimonials (if any), and the links to access the articles or order the books.

Promotional book trailer videos would go on this page. The trailer for your latest book could go here or on the home page. It’s up to you.

Depending on your web site content design, and the number of published works you have, you might add a separate page for each book you’ve written.

3. An events page.

The news/events page lists the links to any articles written about you or your book. It also lists upcoming events, such as presentations or autograph sessions.

If you have video of yourself presenting about your topic, placing that video on this page will give people an idea of your speaking style and can help secure presentation opportunities.

4. A blog page.

A common assumption is that all authors blog, or at least need to. This assumption is incorrect. Many authors focus on their books or other written works.

To be sure, blogging can help build your number of readers, and it gives you another platform. Yet not having a blog would not be a negative.