As an author you probably understand that most people buy your books because the cover looks great right? Well, it's not much different when you think in terms of what a website will do for you. Websites help you get found and are excellent forms of marketing. In addition, with a good author website you can improve communication with your audience creating a legion of fans that buy what you write as soon as you put it out.
1. You Want to Be Found
Face it, if you want to be found on the Internet you need an author website to attract people who are searching for you and your books. Most people search online today before going to bookstores. While you still want to go to book signings, consider an author website another way to be found outside of someone finding your books first.
2. Other Authors Have One
The fact is, your competition has an author website. If you hope to compete in your genre you need a terrific author website too. Having a working website will give you a clear advantage over others who either don't have a website or who have a poorly designed website.
3. It's an Advertisement
A website is, in effect a lot like an advertising brochure. However, it's a lot better than that. Your author website can tell your audience about books you've written, books you're going to write, as well as why you did it in the first place. People love learning about the stories behind the author and an author website is the way to share your story.
4. It's Always Open
You can only do so many book signings in person. There are only so many hours in the day that you have available to you for work right? Well, guess what? A website is open 24/7, 365 days a year. You don't have to be at your website waiting for orders to come in, or waiting for customers to ask you questions. They can read on their own and order any time of the day or not. A well designed website that takes into consideration how it looks as well as how it works will increase your sales exponentially.
5. Easy to Promote
It's a good idea when you are using social media and other avenues to promote your work to have a great website URL in which to send everyone you talk to. It can be considered the main hub of your author activity. Promoting a website URL that shows everything you've ever done is a lot easier than having marketing materials strewn all about.
6. Improves Communication
On your author website you can even communicate with your audience. You can have a newsletter that goes out to people who have signed up for information, or even a fan club right on your website. Some people like to put a discussion board that is available for readers to discuss the characters or other information in your books. Communication has never been easier.
7. It's Affordable
Finally, an author website is very affordable. Once it is built to your specifications it will work for you 24/7 and never stop. It's some of the least expensive marketing that money can buy. Websites are so much less expensive than trying to print and distribute materials by hand. Instead you can give out a business card with a QR code that sends people straight to your author website so that they can read the material there on their PC or mobile device.
AUTHOR WEBSITES CREATED BY PREMIUM WEB
Kathleen – The Save Squad
Doug – Sell is NOT a Four Letter Word
