I’m an author website designer who writes articles for authors, writers, journalists and anyone looking to showcase their written work online.
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Affordable Book Website Design for Writers
Every writer needs a professional online hub to showcase their books, build an audience, and control their brand beyond social media. With your own website you can grow your email list faster, coordinate efforts across social platforms (Instagram, Substack, YouTube, etc..), and build a repository of keyword-rich content over time. You don't need your website to have all the bells and whistles to begin with. Sometimes all you need is a single page, especially as an accessible entry point for beginners. I've been a professional author website designer for nearly 20 years, and over that time I've distilled down the critical elements for someone just getting started... Simplicity Meets Impact The advantages of a streamlined, one-page layout includes easy navigation Read more...
Does an author still need a website?
As an author website designer, it's no surprise that I believe authors greatly benefit from having a website. After years of helping authors improve websites that weren't serving them, or building first-time sites for new authors, I’ve seen that authors without websites face a much harder time establishing their brand. Those with poorly functioning sites are often left frustrated, unsure of what went wrong. I regularly ask myself whether an author truly needs a website to ensure my design services add value—and the answer is consistently yes. When created with clear goals, a website strengthens an author’s brand, builds a community, and provides a platform for their content that they control—important advantages for any author. There are great solutions out Read more...
Current Trends in Author & Book Promotion
While it remains relevant for an author to have a website to act as a hub for their presence and content online, the ways in which authors market their work and connected with their target audience continues to evolve. New technologies not only give authors new tools for promotion, but they also help shape reader expectations. When I first started doing this work, social media was in its infancy, nobody listened to podcasts, and the idea that you could use your phone to create high-quality promotional videos was laughable. Now, of course, there are tons of tools out there to help you create beautiful promotional materials, and also to connect with folks interested in what you're doing. Creating community, relationships, Read more...
What to Put in your Author Website Header
When I'm working on an author website design for an author with multiple books, one of the first things I consider is how to introduce them through their website -- whether they're a household name or not. No matter if your site visitors are experiencing your website on a phone or a larger display, the first thing they see should orient them to what you write about and who you write it for. On top of that, it should also create a great first impression. The visual design should reflect your author persona and genre, ensuring that it feels cohesive and professional. For some authors it can be pretty straightforward. For example, if you write paranormal romance, most folks have Read more...
Author Logos: Do You Need One?
An author does not necessarily need a logo. Unlike businesses or brands, authors typically promote themselves and their work through their name and book covers. While a logo can be a useful branding tool for businesses, it is not a standard requirement for authors. However, some authors may choose to create a personal logo or a stylized version of their name to use on their book covers, promotional materials, or social media profiles. This can help create a consistent visual identity and make it easier for readers to recognize them and their work. Additionally, if an author is also running a personal brand or website centered around their writing or expertise, they might consider having a logo to reinforce that Read more...
Author SEO & Author Keywords: What Do You Need to Know?
One of the questions I ask my author website design clients when we first get started on their project is what they think their website's keywords should be. This helps me understand not only how they think about themselves, but also their understanding of SEO, how they think about their book(s), and how we might structure their website content for content marketing. Understandably, few authors have a great understanding of online searchability (aka SEO), and why would they? It has a reputation for being confusing, complicated, and ever-changing. And most authors, even those focused on author marketing, have the time to deep dive into SEO. It's absolutely true that getting found online is mostly about doing things that Google Read more...
Not sure what your author website needs, and what to leave out?
Don’t know where to start to build your own website, but know that you need one?
Want a website that speaks directly to your readers? The best author website design focuses on clean, goal-oriented layouts that help writers sell books and connect with readers — built in WordPress for easy customization and updates. Outbox Online, founded by author website designer Kate Anchev, crafts personalized websites for authors that do just that.
- Benefit from a site tailored to your unique style and vision.
- Engage visitors with elements that foster connectivity.
- Focus on your writing while Kate handles your web presence.
With comprehensive support from Outbox Online, you can have an author website design that enhances your storytelling and visibility. Your story, front and center. Ready to captivate your audience?
How it Works…
You provide simple information about your book(s) and Kate takes it from there, quickly delivering a complete, fully-functional website built just for you.
Kate creates websites designed to appeal to readers across all device displays that always look great and reach more people. Your time is limited leading up to your book release, and you need to be focusing on high-value promotional tasks rather than being frustrated trying to make a great author website. Kate specializes in storytelling for storytellers so that you can get back to the job of being a writer.
It’s really great. Not what I pictured in my head, but I love it. I think that means you’re a great designer. The Don Draper of web design?”
— Outbox Online Client
It’s really great. Not what I pictured in my head, but I love it. I think that means you’re a great designer. The Don Draper of web design?”
— Outbox Online Client