Creating an author website might initially strike you as a pretty straightforward process: 1) Find an author Web design company, 2) fork over some money, 3) get your website. But there are a few “hidden” facts about the specialized website design elements required for an author website that you should definitely keep in mind before you sign with a Web design company.
Web Design Relief Reveals The Unexpected Things You MUST Know Before Launching Your Author Website
There’s a difference between an artist and a Web designer. While many website designers do have an artistic eye and lots of talent, they are not always artists who create artwork from scratch. Website designers can create beautiful websites for you using existing stock artwork, but they won’t necessarily create that artwork for you. Help your Web designer help you by having a clear idea of your artistic preferences.
Web hosting costs extra. Most writers expect to pay for the creation of a website. But some are surprised when they discover that they also have to pay for that website to actually appear on the Internet. For your website to exist, the data has to be stored somewhere—and that storage is provided by a Web host. Learn more about how to make sure you have a great Web host for your author website.
You might have to regularly update your website. Websites that are built using popular CMS (content management system) interfaces often need regular updates—not just to text and pictures, but to the hidden structure that makes a website possible. These updates keep you (and your visitors) safe from malware and viruses, and also ensure that your website doesn’t “break” as Internet protocols change.
The tricky part is that, occasionally, installing the necessary updates to your website can cause it to malfunction (or even totally crash). Unless you’re comfortable taking a DIY approach to Web fixes, it’s important to connect with a Web host that will manage your updates and create regular backups for your website.
It can be dangerous to post your creative writing on your website for all to see if it’s unpublished. While excerpts of poems, books, stories, and essays are generally safe to share on an author website, posting full versions may hinder your ability to find a publisher later on. Learn more about the issue by reading this detailed article: What Is Considered Previously Published Writing?
Make Sure You’ve Taken All The Right Steps Before Launching Your Author Website
You could spend ages becoming an expert on the subtleties of creating an effective author website. OR you could reach out and work with people who are already experts. The team of website designers here at Web Design Relief work specifically with creative writers. With close ties to our sister company Writer’s Relief, we combine technical know-how with effective marketing and publishing strategies. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you!
Question: Our team is standing by to answer your questions about creating an author website. Feel free to share your thoughts in our comments section!
Thank you so much for this information!
this has really helped me push my book Serion – The Stolen Gifts!