Best Author Websites in 2021: Top 12 Examples
Even if this is your first time creating a site, you want to make the best author website you can.
How do you organize everything and tell the reader all you want them to know? What needs to stand out? What do you include? The seemingly endless questions can be overwhelming.
I know the feeling.
But it really doesn't have to
To help you create your best-seller worthy website, we have compiled a top 12 list of author websites that are outstanding.
We have chosen the sites of both well-established authors and 2019 debut authors to complete our round-up of the best author websites.
What is an Author Website?
It's your little corner of the internet that you can call home. It's a place where you can send people to learn more about you, see your catalogue of books, and
Most people get SUPER intimated.
Does an Author Need a Website?
It acts as your '
As a bonus, it adds legitimacy to you as a writer.
Key Focus Areas of the Best Author Websites
Your website should
It needs
The examples we have chosen all exemplify that consistency. In addition, there are 4 focus areas that your website should encompass.
- 1A compelling Call-to-Action (CTA)
- 2Your library of books
- 3An about you section
- 4A contact you section
We will now look at each of these in detail and provide you with examples of our favourites.
Objective #1: Call-To-Action (CTA)
Your number one focus for your website should be a solid call to action that is enticing enough to encourage people to give up their emails.
Most people of
A great call to action is one that provides readers with an added value. Everyone loves to feel that they are getting something for free, at a discount or ahead of everyone else.
A report or
One of the strongest
Here are 3 of the most compelling
Call-to-Action Example 1: Mark Dawson
Mark Dawson's homepage is dramatic and extremely intriguing, setting the tone for his thrillers. The contrasting colours and simplicity of the home page make his call to action
It creates the perception that they require your email address to open the door into his world of suspense and intrigue.
Call-to-Action Example 2: Mike Michalowicz
Mike Michalowicz’s homepage immediately portrays strength and confidence, with the large and very direct call to action “entrepreneurship made simple, get the tools”. There is another link to “get the tools” in the top corner.
This clear and concise CTA uses
Call-to-Action Example 3: Emma Davis
Emma Davis' home page has a softer feel suitable to her romance genre but still, have a very prominent “pre-order now” call to action. It doesn’t come across as a hard sell like the example above, but with its positioning and bold red colour under the descriptive heading of “an utterly feel-good romance novel”, it is a strong call to action.
Objective #2: Your Library of Work
The second objective of your website is to clearly show your library of work, including links so readers can quickly buy.
These can also be affiliate links to add a little extra to the pot.
The links can either be a “buy now” or the book graphic itself can be clickable to open the payment app. Two great homepages highlighting book collections are below.
Library of Work Example 1: Marie Force
Marie Force has published several different series, so her home page shows one series at a time, rotating through each series.
As a new indie author even if you have 2 or 3 books in a series showing them off, side by side, really lends credibility to your prowess as an author. You can highlight the newest book as Marie Force has done, as well as promote upcoming books. You can tell at a glance she is a romance author and her book covers all have a very consistent look.
While this page is excellent for displaying the library of books, it is missing a strong Call to Action as discussed over.
Library of Work Example 2: J. Daniel
The home page of J. Daniel’s site is very minimalist except for her books scrolling across the screen, causing them to grab your attention immediately.
The books are all in the same romance genre but based on the covers have a distinctly different tone. To suggestion of a bedroom scene watermarked in the background brings the different images together.
Again, there no obvious call to action, but you can purchase any book just by clicking on it.
Objective #3: Contact Information
Your website is designed as a way for you to connect directly with your readers.
Instead of just creating a basic bland, and uninviting contact form customize your contact section to really create a personalized connection.
Contact Information Example 1: Jody Hedlund
Jody Hedlund is the author of inspirational books. Her contact page has clickable links to reach out to her on a variety of social platforms, as well as a photo of the author with a short, funny description, a message that she will respond personally to your email and the option to sign up for her newsletter.
It's a warm and inviting page, designed to create a sense that the author cares about you as an individual.
Contact Information Example 2: Heather Sunseri
Heather Sunseri’s contact page is another example of an author clearly inviting her readers to connect with her.
It's written as a personal invitation, with a promise that she will read all emails. Her call to action is very subtle but may very well resonate with her readers.
Objective #4: About You Section
As an indie author, the about me section is an important section to allow your readers a glimpse into your life and the chance to feel they know you.
After all, people want to buy from people they feel they know and like. Remember your books are the most important piece of the puzzle, so your bio should be fairly light reading.
Keep it fairly short and entertaining and remember to constantly update it as you achieve best-selling status, win awards on GoodReads or release more books.
About You Example 1: Collen Hoover
Collen Hoover’s about me page scrolls through a variety of friendly photos, making it seem like she’s just a friend on social media. The description focuses on her writing achievements and her charitable work.
There are large examples of her Instagram and Facebook posts. The feeling overall is that the author is an approachable person who you could easily call a friend.
BONUS: Author Branding
As stated at the beginning, the best websites need to be an extension of your brand to resonate with your targeted audiences.
The websites below provide readers with a sense of what your book is about right away. As writers we don’t necessarily like the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.
However, you can’t dispute that these websites quickly grab the readers attention by providing a glimpse into the heart of the book. They are also a confirmation of how powerful and important your book cover is.
Key Take-Aways
The examples above illustrate that author websites are as diverse and unique as authors. The top take-away from this article is to stay true to your writing and creative style when creating your website.
Make sure the tone and voice of your site match your genre. Your website needs to be a place where your target audience wants to return again and again.
Incorporate the 4 key focus areas–a clear and prominent call to action; an organized collection of your books, with the newest release or upcoming book, featured conspicuously; a contact page that offers several ways to connect, encouraging fans to follow you on very social media platforms and a way to capture emails and last but not least an about page that allows your reader to feel they know you.
Regularly update your website, adding new books, awards, and notable reviews as you soon as you can, and don’t make the mistake of starting a blog if you cannot devote the time to consistently post.
Crafting your website will take a bit of time and patience, but after all the work you put into writing, editing and publishing your book it deserves a first-class website. Use your site as a tool to capture readers and turn them into fans, eager to be the first to read your next book.
