With most people spending an average of two hours a day online, it’s clear that an author website is an essential piece of any author’s platform. But what if you’re a new writer without any publishing credits? The website experts at Web Design Relief are often asked what pre-published writers should post on their author websites. Would anyone (like literary agents, editors, family, or friends) be interested in going to your writer website? Is it worth your time and money? The answer: Yes! Here are important reasons why pre-published authors should have websites.

Should Pre-Published Authors Have Websites? Here Are The Answers You Need

No publication credits? That’s okay! Every writer has to start somewhere. Having an author website in place before you have your first publication credit puts you in a good position to impress the people who can help take your author bio to the next level. Make an “About Me” page to show that you’re dedicated, interesting, professional, and enthusiastic. Offer visitors a well-written bio that will exemplify you as a person and as an author that includes: what your writing offers readers; what you’re working on right now; what inspires you; your interests and hobbies. Don’t be shy! Read this article for additional tips: 5 Tips On Writing An Amazing Author Bio If You’re Not Well-Published.

What if you don’t have a book to promote? An author website isn’t solely for promoting a novel or a collection of poetry, stories, or essays. It’s also for promoting and educating people about your writing as a whole. You can post samples of your work and the “backstory” that inspired them (just be sure that the works have already been published or are written specifically for your website before posting them online).

If you have a book in the works, it can easily be added to your site at any time. Consider a “Coming Soon” page with a teaser about your works-in-progress, and an e-mail sign-up form so visitors can be notified when your work becomes available. When your book is published, you’ll have your buyers ready and waiting!

Will people visit your author website? If you point them in the right direction, they will come! Social media is a great way to let your followers and fans know about your new author website. To learn which social media platforms are most effective for building your audience, read The Best Social Media Platforms For Building A Writer Fan Base.

What will you include on your website? You can take your author website in a multitude of directions and make changes as you gain more publication credits or add more pages. A bio or “About Me” page is always a good beginning, and, as mentioned above, it’s a great place to introduce yourself as a person and as a writer.

Many writers forgo having a blog on their author website—yet this can be a great marketing tool and is something a pre-published author can skillfully utilize. With a blog, you can give the world an idea of your writing style. It’s the perfect place to showcase your writing before being published!

What are the benefits of having an author website? Author websites act as your online business card. Even if you’ve yet to be published, you can begin building momentum for your writing career. Your author website provides a massive networking opportunity in which the number of people you can meet is virtually infinite. Then, when the time comes for you to query literary agents or submit your work to literary journals, you’ll have a substantial author platform built for agents and editors who want to know more about you and your writing.

It’s important to keep in mind that having an author website is so much more than just posting an excerpt here and there. It’s about promoting yourself as a writer and creating a space where people can come and learn about you. An author website provides the online hub you need to market your author brand.

At Web Design Relief, our tech-savvy experts specialize in creating websites that suit the specific needs of writers. Check out our portfolio and schedule your free consultation call today!

Question: Which author website is your favorite?