Member Article

The Value of a good website for authors

A good website is a must have for any aspiring author. Think of your website as an extension of you and what your work represents. It is your online showcase and potential storefront, which establishes a first impression to your potential readers.

Before investing time and money into your work, readers want to learn about who you are, particularly if you are a new author. If this is the case, it is important to build up a professional online presence. A website is key to this. Your website is the platform that will convince readers who may be on the fence to take a chance on your book.

In terms of design, your website should be clean and easy to navigate. User experience, alongside compelling content is essential for a professional website. Whilst a good visual design is important for representing yourself, don’t fall into the trap of over-complicating it. If your audience finds navigating around your website too confusing, the likelihood is that they will move on.

The content of your website should put forward the messages that you wish for your audience to receive. It should be original, interesting and well written to ensure visitors are coming back to your page. Include a bio, which should act as a clear representation of who you are and your passions which feed into your work.

Ultimately, a clear and effective website will engage your readers and act as a springboard from which future books can be launched. Due to its ease of use and flexibility, WordPress is popular amongst self-published authors for creating their websites. Although some invest in more heavily customised designs it is a good starting point. Your website should always feed into all your other online assets, with a consistent and clear message throughout, as a way of engaging with your potential readers at every contact point.

Here’s a superb example from The Silver Wolf, a young author who is delivering a great user experience on http://silverwolf25.wordpress.com/

Clarity, simplicity and enough calls to action to be a part of a web visitors experience, is all your potential readers need. At the end of the day it is your work as an author which will draw them in and encourage them to click add to cart.

Sign up now on Pastures Moo http://pasturesmoo.com and start promoting your e-book. It’s free!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Pastures Moo .