The Importance of an Author Website

I'm an author, of course, but I'm also a reader, and one thing I've noticed recently is that so many authors--and even some of the publishing companies--don't have a website for readers to visit to get information about their books and their upcoming releases.

Listen, I get it. Owning a website costs money, and maintaining that website takes time and dedication. As an author who (obviously) has her own website, I can confirm that setting up a website can be very time consuming. However, after the initial set up, updating and maintaining the website is usually quick and painless, though creating content for the website, such as blog posts and my Gems of My Crown segment, can be time consuming as well. Still, that does not negate the importance of authors and publishing companies establishing their own space in the cyber community.

First, let me say this: Even if an individual author does not have their own website, it is absolutely necessary for any publishing company to have a website. When readers can't locate a website for an author, the next thing they're going to do is search for the website of their publisher. As a company, it's basically a requirement in the age of technology that you have a website. It's also one of your responsibilities to your authors to provide some type of home space for them, even when they aren't able to provide it for themselves.

Now let's get into it!

One of the most serious reasons an author should have an author page is to ensure that author always has their own home space where they are in complete control of the content. Spaces like social media pages are incredibly important for an author, as they provide a way for readers to discover new authors and an avenue for readers and authors to connect. However, those spaces do not belong to the author, and the author's content is monitored and governed by the rules and regulations of that platform. Facebook in particular has cracked down on certain types of content, especially content that may be offensive, which has left users blocked from posting and responding to others' posts. As bad as that sounds, imagine being an author who only uses social media to engage with readers and those platforms suddenly shut down. Now, you have no platform and no way to interact with your readers. Where does that leave you? With your own website, this is never a concern. You can post what you want, including profanity if you choose, and you never have to worry about your website suddenly disappearing. Most commerce platforms like Shopify allow users to purchase their own domain names. This means you're able to choose a domain name for your website (like kweenpenpresents.com), check to make sure it's available for use, and then purchase the rights to that name for use. Once purchased, no one else in the world can create a website with that same name. That domain is yours, just like the space itself is yours. You're free to set it up anyway you like with any colors, any graphics, any content, and you never have to worry about being censored or being left without a platform or a way to connect with readers when it disappears.

Author websites are also avenues where readers can get to know the author a little bit better. Readers love connecting with their favorite authors, so providing a space where they can read the About Me section and your thoughts in your blog posts really helps to bring your readers closer to you and give them that little taste of insight they crave.

Your website also gives you a way to maintain communication with your readers through your email subscription. Your website allows you to include an email signup page where visitors can subscribe to receive emails from you with updated and exclusive content and information. This is a powerful tool that enables you to turn a one-time reader into a superfan. Readers who visit your website after reading or hearing about one of your books have already taken the first step to find out more about you. Subscribing to your email list allows them to receive information about future works, even if they wouldn't have otherwise found out about them without searching for them. You're informing them, alerting them, and they'll thank you for that heads up with a purchase.

The most important information on your website, though? Your catalogue. If that same reader who's only read one of your books visits your website, they'll quickly realize they've been missing out when they see you have other books available that they didn't know about. Now, they're either going to head to Amazon or Kindle to get their copies, or, if your website is enabled to do so and you have inventory on hand, they're going to purchase paperbacks directly from your website, which ultimately increases your profits from your book sales.

Ultimately, ever author needs their own website. It's the closest some readers will ever get to meeting you. Visiting your website is like walking into your own little personal space, your internet home, where readers can sit down, have a cup of coffee, and get to know the person who pens their favorite stories.