Tips on How to Create a Professional Independent Author's Website

The Internet is essential to the success of most independent authors. From Amazon to Ebay to online book stores, the Web offers selling tools that are invaluable to writers unrepresented by a traditional publisher. An author's website can also serve as a selling and promotional tool, one that perhaps lends itself to the indie writer the most. However, many novelists misuse their sites through disorganized design and a lack of effective promotional methods. The following is a list of tips on how to create a professional independent author's website that can be used as an initial guideline both for new writers as well as for veterans hoping to maximize their current sites.

Tip #1: Know why readers visit authors' websites. Only when we fully understand what brings visitors to our websites can we truly maximize them for profit and promotion. In most cases, your site will be found on purpose rather than on accident. Readers hope to gain a better understanding of the prominent points of a story, its purpose, and how it was developed by viewing the author's site. Not only that, but they are also looking for information on your next releases, former releases, and any new developments you may have to announce. Design your site accordingly.

Tip #2: Take and post only professional pictures. An independent author thrives on creating familiarity with readers despite a lack of professional representation. A professionally taken photo should be placed discretely on your home page as a sort of brand development tool for your works.

Tip #3: Consider creating a background theme that coincides with your works. Your books evoke a certain feeling for your readers, one that should follow them as they peruse your website. Colors, themes, and pictures should subtly match your newest book or series when possible.

Tip #4: Utilize a mailing list. A simple email list sign-up program is an excellent method used by independent authors to initiate a viral marketing campaign. On each page of your site, visitors should be able to sign up for monthly or quarterly email announcements of new releases, book signings, etc.

Tip #5: Announce release dates on your home page. Be sure to also list where the book will be available for purchase.

Tip #6: Implement a shopping cart on your own website, discretely. While visitors will usually visit your site for information more often than to make a purchase, an independent author must capture each potential sale. For that reason, consider giving your website shopping cart capabilities, but keep the theme of the site informational so as to prevent distraction.

Tip #7: Include a brief bio. Readers want an understanding of who an author is so that they can use that information to gain a better grasp of where a story originated. Your hometown, education, professional accomplishments as they pertain to writing, and family life are acceptable information to include. This step also builds a relationship between you and the reader.

Tip #8: Post and highlight awards, recognition, and positive, unbiased reviews for your works. This step is absolutely essential. Without traditional publishers, self-published authors are responsible for developing credibility for themselves. Showing readers that you have indeed been recognized professionally and by an unbiased readership is key.

Tip #9: Think twice about enabling visitor comments. The sense of community amongst your readers may best be developed offline. Allowing visitor comments and signing pages on your site may compromise your professionalism, demand hours of unprofitable moderation time, and make you a target of online predators who specialize in leaving unsavory and unfounded remarks on websites.

Tip #10: Market yourself. One of the most common, and most destructive, habits of independent authors is not effectively and consistently marketing their websites. Never assume that readers will find you. Make a point of linking with relevant sites often.

Keep in mind that your goals with a website as an independent, self-published author differ from traditionally published writers. Because of the absence of a traditional publisher, you will be responsible for bringing the reader to you. When the reader does find your site, it should be ready to offer a sense of ambiance that coincides with your current work, credibility, and enough personal information to give that reader a human connection with you and your writing. Creating trust and familiarity now equates to better sales and recognition in the future.