Many authors ask whether they need a website at all when Amazon, Goodreads and social media already exist. The short answer is yes, but only if it does a few specific jobs well. This guide covers the author website essentials: the pages and features that help you sell books, grow a mailing list and get speaking or media invitations, and what you can skip.
Quick answer: An author website needs five things: a clear home page that says who you write for, a page for each book with buy links, an email sign-up with a reason to join, an about page with a media-ready bio and photos, and a contact route for events and press. Everything else is optional.
Why authors still need their own website
Retailers and social platforms control your page, your reach and your data. Your website is the one place you own. It is where readers land when they search your name, where journalists look for a bio, and where event organisers check whether you are worth booking.
It is also the easiest place to collect email addresses. A list of readers who asked to hear from you is the most reliable way to sell your next book, because you can reach them directly on launch day.
The five author website essentials
1. A home page that says who you write for
“Welcome to my website” wastes the most valuable spot you have. Say what you write and for whom: “Cosy mysteries set in the Scottish Highlands” or “Practical books for first-time managers”. Show your latest book, a buy button, and a sign-up option.
2. One page per book
Each book deserves its own page with:
- The cover, large enough to read the title.
- A short, punchy description (not the full back-cover copy if it is long).
- Buy links to every retailer you use, including your own store if you sell direct.
- A few strong review quotes, with the source.
- Series order, if it is part of one.
- A sample chapter or “look inside” link if you can offer one.
Book pages are also what people find when they search your title, so give each a clear, specific page title.
3. An email sign-up with a real reason to join
“Join my newsletter” is not a reason. Offer something readers want: a free short story, a bonus chapter, a reading guide for book clubs, or for non-fiction, a checklist or template from the book. Place the sign-up on the home page, at the end of each book page, and in the footer.
4. An about page that doubles as a press kit
Write a short bio in the third person that journalists and event hosts can copy. Add a longer, more personal version below. Offer high-resolution author photos and cover images to download, and list past media, talks and awards if you have them.
5. A clear contact route
Separate reader mail from business enquiries if you can. A simple line such as “For events, speaking and media, email…” makes it easy for the people who could book you.
What authors can skip
| Often added | Worth it? |
|---|---|
| A blog you update once a year | Skip it, or keep a small news page instead |
| A full social media feed embed | Usually slows the site and adds little |
| Pop-ups on every page | One well-timed sign-up prompt is enough |
| Complex animations | Readers want the book, not effects |
Author website mistakes that cost sales
- Buy links that go to the wrong store for the visitor’s country. Use a universal book link service or list regional stores.
- No mobile check. Many readers arrive from social media on phones.
- Old books only. Update the home page when a new book comes out.
- A sign-up form that never sends anything. Set up a welcome email so new subscribers get what you promised right away.
Do you need WordPress or Squarespace?
Both work well for authors. Squarespace is simple to update and looks polished with little effort. WordPress gives more control over SEO, e-commerce and integrations if you plan to sell books or courses directly. Choose the one you will actually keep updated.
How I can help
I build author websites that are easy to update, fast on mobile and set up to grow your mailing list, with book pages, a press kit and email tools connected. If your current site is outdated or you are preparing for a launch, I would be glad to help. See my Squarespace web design service, or tell me about your books.
If you also coach or consult alongside your writing, read why coaching websites get visitors but no calls.
Frequently asked questions
Do self-published authors need a website?
Yes. It is the one platform you control, and it is the best place to build an email list that you can use for every future launch.
What should be on an author website home page?
Who you write for, your latest book with buy links, an email sign-up with a clear incentive, and links to your other books and about page.
Should my author website use my name or my book title?
Use your name in most cases. Books come and go, but your name carries across your whole career.
How can authors grow an email list from their website?
Offer a reader magnet such as a free story or bonus chapter, and place the sign-up on your home page and at the end of every book page.
Can I sell books directly from my author website?
Yes. Many authors sell signed copies or ebooks directly using WooCommerce, Squarespace Commerce or a service like BookFunnel or Payhip.
