I see this come up a lot.
I’m in various author groups on and offline, and someone is always wondering about a website and what the point of one is. As a writer do you really need a website? Especially if you do most of your marketing and community building on your social platforms, then is a website really necessary?
Do authors and writers need a website?
In my mind, it’s a huge YES.
You have limited time, I get it. You have a book deadline, editing to do and your word count is low. You’re spending more time than you’d like on social media and then someone asks about your website which feels like a huge expense and drain on your limited resources.
And yep, lots of authors have opted not to have a website, but I’m of the opinion that you should have one. Here’s why:
You’ll use your website to build an email list
I can’t say this enough, but your email list is the only thing you own. If all the social platforms went down tomorrow, there would be nothing you could do. Nothing!
Your email list will be the only way you can reach readers without being at the mercy of the algorithm. It’s a way to tell them about new books, cover reveals, what you’re working on, where they can find you…everything.
And as the people on your list have opted in, it means that they really want to hear from you, so it’s a must.
You’ll use your website to host evergreen content
Information about your books, news about events you’re holding, what’s coming up, deals and offers….all of this juicy content needs to live on your website. It will be a centralised platform providing a visible presence that readers, fans and industry professionals can find out more information. They won’t need to go scrolling through Instagram posts of Facebook to find out exactly what they need to know.
Your website will bring in opportunities
I’m sometimes a bit surprised that authors and writers don’t think about opportunities that can happen from a website. It’s your little piece of real-estate in the digital world and it can generate leads and bring in the most marvellous opportunities.
For instance, if you were looking to book an author for a gig you were planning, or needed a writer to speak at an event, host a book-club, appear in an article you were researching, be interviewed on television, do some freelance editing work, and who knows what else, where is the first place you’d go?
Exactly.
So you want a place that will attract industry professionals, give you credibility and a way for them to contact you directly.
Your website can do all of that for you.
Your website is your biggest sales page
It’s a way to showcase your work and serves as a sales platform and marketing tool to your readers that’s working all the time.
You can share samples of your books, deleted scenes, sneak-peaks of new writing, and a call to action of where your work can be bought. It’s your biggest cheerleader, your pushy sales man, your ‘buy my book’ page without the cringe. This is what people expect from your website, it’s what they’re looking for, so here is the best place to sell, sell, sell.
How To Start A Website
You can employ a website designer or learn yourself (I’ve heard Canva is super easy) but don’t put perfection over progress.
Your website will be constantly evolving and growing, and you’ll be updating it as new books and news happens so make it simple and don’t waste time trying to get it exactly right.
My website is a massive work in progress that I’m working on when I can. It used to be all singing and dancing but then I got hacked and had to start over!
Do you have a website?
Share your link in the comments so we can see.
Have a great weekend,
Zoe x
Thank you for the tips to help me keep my website more active. I’m going to see what I can add now with this information. Here’s my website: authorchristinavourcos.com