Every awesome author website has all the crucial elements it needs to contain, is on-brand, professional and easy to navigate. But most importantly, it tells a story! Why is this so important and how does a website tell a story? Find out below.
The Right Colors, Layout and Content Tell a Visual Story
When website designers start the building process, they’ll have your target audience and your brand in mind. They use this information to choose the style elements that will make up your website design. Things like:
- The right colors to send the right message, and to make that message uniquely yours. Colors make a big difference in how things are perceived and set the mood for your story.
- The layout for your website is also important. What you choose to focus on will be featured. Your homepage is your table of contents and guide to your story.
- Everything from your font choices to your tool bar, to how the site can be navigated gives structure to the story you tell with your website.
Awesome Author Websites Show Off Your Best
Why have website if it doesn’t show you off a little bit, right? You want to tell your story in the most flattering way possible. No one wants a boring website that tells the visitor nothing. Awesome author websites will:
- Contain a bio that features all your accomplishments, qualifications and even some fun facts visitors may only find there.
- Ideally have powerful, clear and compelling images of your book. If you really want an extra awesome author website, you can throw in some other fun or impressive photos too.
- A fantastic, flattering and professional headshot is a must!
- An active and regularly updated blog will help drive traffic to your website, and add to your story.
Going Beyond the Basics Pulls Your Story Together
Here at Monkey C Media we’re big fans of adding that little something extra. We like the story your website tells to be a unique one and a some flair never hurts. Going beyond the basics can really pull your story together.
Here are some fun extras to consider for an awesome author website:
A 10 Things You May Not Know list on your bio page. This is where you can have a little fun and add some interesting anecdotes. Or even brag! It’s up to you. But creating a nice, neat list packed with extra information is like an epilogue or prologue to your story.
A Merchandise Shop. If you have marketing and promotional materials, like bookmarks, mugs or totes you can sell them easily on a Squarespace site. Maybe you’re also a craftsperson or artist? Sell your stuff on your awesome author website!
An Activities Page. These work well for children’s book authors. You can have downloadable coloring pages, or puzzles and mazes.
Other extras
If you volunteer, head a foundation, love climbing or long distance biking, go ahead and add some photos or anecdotes to your website. Some visitors want to really dig deep. And if it’s on brand and relevant content, why not use it to enhance the story your website tells?
Some or all of this things can be used in conjunction to tell your story and create a truly awesome author website that visitors will remember. This can lead to blog subscribers, loyal fans, and boost your discoverability. Now who doesn’t want all that?
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