Author Website Tips: What to Include on Your Author Website
Readers who hear about your book, whether from a podcast, a review, a friend, or a bookstore event, will often search for your name next. What they find shapes whether they buy the book, sign up for updates, or invite you to speak.
An author website doesn’t need to be elaborate. It needs to answer a few questions quickly: Who is this author? What have they written? Where can I buy it? How do I stay in touch? This guide covers why a website matters, the essential pages and what goes on each, common mistakes, and how to get started.
Do authors really need a website?
Yes, for almost every published (or soon-to-be-published) author. Social media profiles, Amazon author pages, and Goodreads are useful, but they’re controlled by other companies. Their rules, layouts, and reach can change overnight.
An author website is the one place online that you fully control. It’s:
➜ your official home base, where readers, media, booksellers, librarians, and event organizers can find accurate information
➜ where you build your email list, which is the most direct way to reach readers when your next book comes out
➜ a credibility signal. A professional site tells agents, publishers, reviewers, and event hosts that you take your work seriously.
➜ searchable. It helps your name and book titles show up in search results.
Start with your domain name
If possible, use your author name: yourname.com. It’s easy to remember, works for every future book, and stays relevant if you change genres. If it’s taken, try variations like yournamebooks.com, yournamewrites.com, or yournameauthor.com.
Avoid naming your site after a single book unless you plan to write only one. Domains are inexpensive, so register yours early, even before your book is published.
The essential pages of an author website
1. Home page
Your home page should tell visitors within seconds who you are and what you write. Include:
➜ your name and a one-line description (for example, “Award-winning author of literary fiction about family and memory”)
➜ your newest or most important book, with its cover and a clear “Buy Now” button
➜ an email signup form
➜ a short welcome or tagline that captures your voice
2. Books page
This is the most important page on your site. Give each book its own section or page with:
➜ a high-quality cover image
➜ a compelling book description (your back-cover copy)
➜ buy links to multiple retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org (which supports independent bookstores), Apple Books, Kobo, your publisher’s site, and audiobook platforms where relevant
➜ formats available (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook)
➜ praise and review quotes
➜ an excerpt or the first chapter, if you can share one
➜ series reading order, if you write a series
➜ extras, such as a book club discussion guide
3. About page
Readers want to know the person behind the book. Include:
➜ a professional headshot
➜ a short bio (50–100 words) and a longer bio (200–300 words)
➜ your credentials, awards, or relevant experience, especially important for nonfiction
➜ a touch of personality: where you live, what inspires you, what you love besides writing
Write it in the third person (“Jane Smith is the author of…”). That way media and event organizers can copy it directly.
4. Email signup / newsletter
Your email list is your most valuable marketing tool. Make it easy to join from every page, and give readers a reason to sign up. A free incentive (often called a “reader magnet”) works well: a bonus chapter, a short story, a discussion guide, a printable resource for nonfiction readers, or exclusive behind-the-scenes updates.
5. Events and news
List upcoming readings, signings, workshops, podcast appearances, and media coverage. Keep it current. An events page with nothing newer than two years ago suggests an inactive author. If you don’t have many events, combine events and news into one page.
6. Media / press kit
A press page makes it easy for journalists, podcasters, bloggers, librarians, and event organizers to feature you. Include:
➜ short and long bios
➜ downloadable high-resolution headshots and cover images
➜ book details: title, publisher, publication date, ISBNs, page count, price
➜ a short book summary
➜ sample interview questions and talking points
➜ notable reviews, awards, and past media appearances
➜ contact information for media inquiries (or your publicist)
7. Contact page
Offer a contact form or a dedicated professional email address rather than your personal one. If you have an agent, publicist, or publisher contact for specific requests (rights, media, speaking), list them separately.
Optional pages worth considering
➜ Speaking or services. Especially valuable for nonfiction authors who speak, consult, coach, or teach.
➜ Blog or articles. Worthwhile only if you can post regularly and on topics your readers care about. A neglected blog does more harm than having none.
➜ Resources. Reading guides, educator materials, research links, or downloadable worksheets.
➜ Shop. Signed copies, special editions, or merchandise, if you’re set up to fulfill orders.
➜ FAQ. Answers to the questions readers, students, and book clubs ask most often.
What to include if your book isn’t out yet
Pre-published authors don’t need a full site. A simple one- or two-page website is enough to start:
➜ your name, a brief bio, and a headshot
➜ a short “coming soon” description of your book, with the cover once it’s ready
➜ an email signup to collect interested readers before launch
➜ links to your social profiles
Expand it as your publication date approaches and add preorder links as soon as they’re available.
Design and technical tips
➜ Keep it simple. Clean layouts, readable fonts, and plenty of white space. Your covers should be the visual highlight.
➜ Make it mobile-friendly. Many visitors will arrive on their phones, so check every page on a small screen.
➜ Make navigation obvious. Use a short menu (Home, Books, About, Events, Contact) so visitors can find anything in one or two clicks.
➜ Match your brand to your books. Colors, fonts, and imagery should reflect your genre and tone. A cozy mystery author’s site should feel different from a thriller writer’s.
➜ Keep it fast. Compress large images, and avoid autoplay videos or music.
➜ Make it accessible. Add descriptive alt text to images, use strong color contrast, and keep link text clear (“Buy Book Title,” not “Click here”).
➜ Cover the SEO basics. Use your name and book titles in page titles and headings so search engines can match your site to people searching for you.
➜ Mind privacy rules. If you collect email addresses, use a reputable email service and include a privacy policy.
Common author website mistakes
✘ outdated information (old bios, past events, missing new books)
✘ broken or missing buy links
✘ buy links to only one retailer
✘ no email signup, or one that’s hard to find
✘ cluttered home pages with too many competing messages
✘ tiny, low-resolution cover images
✘ a personal email address published in plain text
✘ a blog that hasn’t been updated in years
✘ a domain named after a single book instead of the author
Choosing a platform
Popular options for author websites include:
➜ Squarespace. Polished templates and an easy builder. Good for authors who want a professional look without technical work.
➜ Wix. A flexible drag-and-drop builder with a free starting tier. Paid plans add a custom domain.
➜ WordPress. The most flexible and expandable option, ideal for authors who plan to blog regularly, sell directly, or grow the site over time. It can be more technical, especially when self-hosted.
➜ Author-specific profiles such as Amazon Author Central, BookBub, and Goodreads. These are useful extras but no replacement for your own site and domain.
Whatever you choose, make sure you own your domain and your email list, so you can move platforms later without losing your audience.
DIY or professional?
Many authors build their own sites with templates, and a simple, well-organized DIY site works well. A professional build may be worth it if you want a custom design, ecommerce, mailing list integration, or simply don’t have time to build and maintain a site yourself.
Author website checklist
✔ Domain name registered (ideally your author name)
✔ Home page with newest book, buy button, and email signup
✔ Books page with covers, descriptions, multiple buy links, and praise
✔ About page with headshot, short bio, and long bio
✔ Email signup on every page, with a reader incentive
✔ Events and news page (kept current)
✔ Media / press kit with downloadable assets
✔ Contact form or professional email
✔ Mobile-friendly, fast, accessible design
✔ Page titles that include your name and book titles
✔ Privacy policy (if collecting emails)
✔ Links to your social profiles
✔ Reviewed and updated at least every few months
Author Website Tips FAQ
What should be on an author website?
At minimum: a home page, a books page with buy links, an about page with your bio and headshot, an email signup, and a way to contact you. A media kit and an events page are strongly recommended as your career grows.
Do I need an author website before my book is published?
It’s a good idea. A simple site with your bio, a “coming soon” note, and an email signup lets you start building an audience before launch.
Should my author website be my name or my book title?
Your name, in almost every case. It works for every book you’ll ever write. You can create separate landing pages for individual books within the site.
Do I need a blog on my author website?
No. A blog helps only if you’ll update it regularly with content your readers want. An email newsletter is usually a better use of limited time.
How much does an author website cost?
A DIY site can cost as little as the price of a domain and a basic platform plan per year. Professional custom builds vary widely, depending on design, features, and ongoing support.
How often should I update my author website?
Whenever something changes, such as a new book, an event, a review, or an award, and at least every few months to keep information current.
Your website is your home base
Your author website doesn’t need to be flashy. It needs to be clear, current, and focused on your books and readers. Start with the essentials, build your email list, and expand as your career grows.
Want a professional author website without the hassle?
Atmosphere Press’s web team builds custom author websites designed to showcase your books, grow your mailing list, and help readers buy your work. Every build includes:
✦ a custom design that matches your books, genre, and personal brand
✦ domain registration, hosting, and security support
✦ book pages with retailer buy links
✦ search engine optimization so readers can find you
✦ mobile-friendly, easy-to-navigate pages
✦ options for mailing list integration, ecommerce, and ongoing support
Packages range from a streamlined single-page site to a fully custom build. They’re open to authors at every stage, whether or not they publish with Atmosphere Press!
Explore author website packages →
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.