How to build your own author website
One of the things that upsets me a lot is when I speak to authors who feel really discouraged, frustrated and downright angry with their author website. They don’t have the budget to pay a designer but they also have no idea where to start when it comes to building a site themselves.
And why would they? Many authors have never worked in tech before.
But I really hate that it’s this massive cause of stress for them, and something they feel disempowered by.
A little bit of knowledge, a little bit of targeted, helpful guidance, goes a long way.
Obviously, I’m a website designer and so I’m very comfortable using technology, but I honestly believe these days that there’s absolutely no need to feel frustrated with your author website, especially when there are so many amazing and effective website builders out there designed literally for DIYers.
What’s the best website platform for authors ? →
I’d like to go on the record and say that any author who can successfully use social media is 100% capable of building and maintaining their own author website too.
In saying this, I am aware that it sounds as though I’m doing myself out of a job!
But the one thing you will need in order to build your own author website is time.
I’m not going to lie to you - it does take time to get to grips with a website builder - in the same way there’s an initial learning curve with anything you do for the first time.
But once you’re familiar with the technology then it’s all really intuitive.
“Why do so many authors hate their websites? I have a theory, and it’s called... Wordpress 😉”
I have a secret theory that the reason a lot of authors have a hate/hate relationship with their author websites is because they built them on Wordpress.
Wordpress has a LOT to answer for!
It has terrified a whole heap of authors into thinking that their website is this horrendously complicated and impossible THING that brings them nothing but stress and misery.
Why I don’t recommend Wordpress for your author website →
Website builders are your friend
Website builders have come on leaps and bounds since the early days of the internet. And the main ones I recommend for authors - Squarespace and Wix - are really simple to use.
If you have the time to spare to get yourself familiar with the platforms then you honestly can build yourself a beautiful author website.
How to overcome tech phobia and build your own author website →
But I totally understand that some authors don’t want to bother with it, and others really don’t have the headspace to learn something new, so that’s why I’m still offering my custom web design services to those authors who want to hand the whole thing over.
And alongside that, I hope that by educating people more on how to take the reins themselves, I won’t totally do myself out of client work 😉
I’m really happy to have three offerings now, so that hopefully I can meet the needs of all my fellow authors, no matter what their budget/time constraints!
MY THREE SERVICES
That was a bit of a preamble!
What I really wanted to say was, as you might have noticed, I have finally launched my DIY Author Website Course and I’m honestly so, so excited about it!!
I launched it to the waiting list last week and had an amazing response - I sold far more places on the course than I dreamed of, and I’m just honestly so chuffed.
I then got this tweet from one of the early students, which made me beam all day:
I’m so happy to finally have this course up and running and I really look forward to helping many more authors take control of their author website going forward!
And on that note… I have something special to offer you!
New free training on building your author website
I’ve also just launched a free training video, for those authors who are thinking about building their own sites themselves.
Maybe you don’t have the budget to pay someone to build one for you.
Maybe you want to feel completely in control of your online presence - including your author website!
In that case, this free 45-minute video training is designed especially for you! ⬇️
What you’ll learn in the free video training:
✓ Why authors need websites
✓ The most important thing to do before you start building your website
✓ Which website platform is right for you
✓ What to consider when choosing your colours and fonts
✓ How to pick the perfect domain name
✓ How to master your website builder of choice
✓ Where to share your website to encourage people to visit
SIGN UP TO WATCH THE FREE TRAINING RIGHT NOW!
You can sign up to watch it above, and if you stick around to the end, you’ll be rewarded by an exclusive discount code off the DIY Author Website Course, in case you’d like even more expert help with building your site!
I really hope you find it useful. I promise you - you CAN master your author website, and I’m here to help every step of the way 😊
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