In today’s digital age, authors aren’t typically looking to secure a physical storefront to promote their books. Instead, they need a digital storefront to be the hub of their business (and yes, author friend, if you’ve published a book – or are on the verge of doing so – you are actually starting a business!).
When it comes to marketing, the approach isn’t always a cookie-cutter one. Not every marketing tactic is a great fit for all authors. However, there is one thing every author needs and that is an author website! No questions asked. Hands down, it’s an investment that is a must.
No longer are the days where merely having a website was a way to stick out. Instead, it’s pivotal to fitting in. A website is the central hub of your business, and it connects you with your readers in a meaningful and engaging way while providing you the opportunity to ensure that you are guiding them on how to best utilize you, your book and your message in their lives.
According to an article posted on the PR Newswire Report February 2021, many small business owners noted that websites were essential for doing business now-a-days. However, 20% of small businesses had no website. Most small businesses (71%) do have a site but building and maintaining it is still a challenge. Author friend, you, too, are running a business and having a website is essential, but don’t feel like you have to navigate it alone.
If you have written a book, you need a website. If you have decided to build a business from your book’s powerful message, you need a website. And if you want to spread the word, make a difference and leave a legacy, you likely also need a website, too. Is now the right time to create (or level up) a website?! If it aligns with a marketing strategy within your overarching marketing plan, the answer is likely yes!
Season 4 of The emPowered Author Podcast is dedicated to this topic and filled to the brim with valuable insights to help you learn more about author websites: why you need one, what it should include and how it can work for you to help you achieve your goals.
Ready to launch an author website but not sure where to begin (or what to expect)?
No worries … we’ve pulled out some of the most important key takeaways shared throughout season 4 of the podcast for you to utilize in preparing yourself for the website development process. This is one area of life that it pays to be prepared!
Why do you need an author website, you ask?!
Great question!
Websites are a must. Trust us. And we’re not talking about just any website, but a website designed specifically for you, an author and authorpreneur. It is pivotal for you, your book and your business.
In today’s world, it’s important to not just have an author website, but to have one that works for you, and not all websites are created equally.
As you are building an author website (or leveling up your current one), here are a few things to consider:
- One of the first things readers who want to learn more about you will do is search for you online, and you want your website to be the first place they land.
- Your website should be the connector of all that you do and all that you offer. And, if designed well with your goal in mind, it can work for you!
- Author websites help to establish and build upon validity and credibility while letting readers and potential clients know what’s next.
- If you want to sell books, you need a platform to help make that happen. While Amazon may be a solution, ensuring that your readers find you first will deepen the relationship.
- And, (this is a tough one to grasp) you are bigger than your book, and your website needs to be, too. As authors, we like to get bogged down in the BOOK and forget that we are the makers of it. Your website should reflect you, your message and your book.
You need a tool to work for you, but it doesn’t mean you have to create it alone. Whether its our team or another, remember there are experts who can help you so that you can stay focused doing what you love most! Below are some examples of author websites our team has developed.
Meet the Team
Stephanie Feger
Stephanie Feger, owner and chief strategist of the emPower PR Group, is passionate about emPowering nonfiction writers, authors and authorpreneurs with laser-focused marketing strategies and tactics to help them write books that sell, promote their books to those who need and want them most, and build a meaningful business from a message that is emPowering. Stephanie doesn’t believe in movement without strategy, and always keeps strategy front and center. She has also seen how emPowered people emPower people. In fact, her business is built around it!
Sandy Wiles
Sandy Wiles is a website developer professional like none other. As an expert in nonfiction author and authority brand websites, she blends her creativity and attention to detail with her passion for strategy in every website project she tackles. She’s innovative, solutions-focused and knows the power of a website (and helps ensure every author harnesses that). Sandy knows how a reader and potential client navigate websites, and she leverages that knowledge to create websites that convert. When Sandy and Stephanie bring together their skillsets, magic happens.
Stephanie and Sandy are a dynamic duo when it comes to helping authors and authorpreneurs build upon their brand by developing an author website that has purpose! Whether you are looking for support in developing an author website or building upon your existing site to ensure it’s meeting your needs, our team is prepped and ready to emPower.
Prior to website design and development, the emPower PR Group conducts a digital audit which allows the team to identify your current digital presence and identify areas of opportunity. After understanding the current digital landscape as well as a strategy call to identify the use of the website itself, one of the three types of author websites will be recommended for consideration.
Author Website
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Website design includes a homepage, blog page and contact page.
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Claim your domain name and provide room for growth as this website can grow with you and your business.
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Provide visitors a link to purchase your book on Amazon (or another platform).
Authorpreneur Website
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Design includes multiple pages such as homepage, about, services, speaking, books, blog and contact.
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Outline books, offerings and more to increase awareness and generate sales.
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Utilize opt-ins, lead magnets and email sequences for engagement.
Author Website Refresh
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A website audit is conducted by the team to identify opportunities and prioritization.
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A 1-day intensive allows you the opportunity to refresh your existing website to meet your authorpreneur needs.
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Leverage our website and marketing experts to optimize your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
The execution of a website requires a collaboration with the author and the production team. Our goal is to help you strategize and create a meaningful website that will work for your needs in a more efficient and effective manner. However, there are other deciding factors that could impact the timeline including content, branding, photography, etc. Prior to moving forward with the development of a website, a kickoff strategy session is held to ensure everyone has clarity on expectations, timelines and requirements needed to make a beautiful end product.
If you listen to season 4 of The emPowered Author Podcast, you will hear our thoughts on a book website only. We believe that authors are bigger than their books. And because of that, we design websites that align with your author brand first and foremost. Of course, we recommend you have your book on your website, and even a unique webpage promoting it, but your message is what people want to hear!
Be sure to download our Tips to Prepare for Developing a Website above for insights into everything you need to prepare ahead of time to make sure a website design project runs smoothly. This includes things such as author headshots, an author brand, content, etc. That said, if you are missing some of the components—such as author branding, photography, logo design, content, etc.—our team can assist! Let’s chat about what you have and what you need to get started.
Great question! In episode 4.2 of The emPowered Author Podcast we walk you through all of the parts of a strong author website and additional elements you may want to consider. Take a listen!
Yes! Of course! It’s your website after all. Our goal is for your website to speak your brand, and you will get the opportunity to weigh in along the way to ensure that happens. When we develop websites, we build in a few review steps including: layout review, content review and a final review prior to the website going live.
There is a lot that goes into a website, and if you aren’t familiar with all aspects of it, you may find yourself a bit confused. We want all authors to be emPowered, which is why episode 4.6 of The emPowered Author Podcast goes in depth on what costs you will want to be aware of for websites outside of the initial design and development. Specifically, this includes expenses such as domains, hosting, etc.
Yay! We are so excited to get the chance to work with you. We’d love to chat with you to learn more about your needs and determine how we can best support them. Schedule a chat with us when you are ready to get started. From this chat, we will pull together a customized proposal for you. A signed contract is required to get you officially on the schedule and payment in full is required to begin our work together.
Our team offers three website solutions for authors: the Author Website, the Authorpreneneur Website and the Author Website Refresh. The Author Website is a $2,400 investment. The Authorpreneur Website is a $4,800 investment. And the Website Refresh is a $1,500 investment. Each offering is designed to support authors uniquely based on the specific goals they have for their book and their business. We’d love the opportunity to share with you details about each of our website solutions and determine which is the best fit for your needs.
