Quick summary
- A website gives you a home you own.
- It supports search visibility and credibility.
- An email sign-up is one of its most useful parts.
- Start simple and improve over time.
The short answer
In most cases, yes. Social media and retailer pages are useful, but you do not control them. A website is a stable place where readers can learn about you, find your books and stay in touch.
What a website gives you
- A home you own. Platforms change. Your site stays yours.
- Search presence. When readers search your name or title, your site can be what they see.
- Credibility. A tidy site shows you take your work seriously.
- An email list. A sign-up form lets interested readers hear from you directly.
What to put on it
- A clear home page saying who you write for and what you write.
- A page for each book with a short description and links to where it is sold.
- A short, human About page.
- An email sign-up, ideally with a reason to subscribe.
- A simple way to contact you.
What you can skip at first
You do not need complicated features. A few clear pages that load fast and work on phones beat an elaborate site that is hard to use.
Common mistakes
- No clear way to buy or find your books.
- No email sign-up.
- Outdated information.
- Pages that look different from your book covers and profiles.
Common questions
Is a social media page enough?
Social pages help, but you do not own them and cannot be sure how many followers will see your posts. A website and email list give you a more reliable connection.
Do I need my own domain name?
A domain based on your author name is usually worth having. It keeps your web and email address consistent and easy for readers to remember.
Planning your author website?
We can help with the site, book pages and email sign-up.
See Author Websites