Build Your Dream Author Website on WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you finding it challenging to create a professional author website that effectively connects you with your readers and promotes your books?

We have assisted numerous authors in developing their own WordPress websites. Our extensive experience has taught us what strategies are effective, what pitfalls to avoid, and, most importantly, which features genuinely enhance authors’ ability to expand their readership and boost book sales.

In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with a clear, step-by-step process to build a professional author website using WordPress—no coding skills necessary. Whether you’re a debut author or an experienced writer aiming to enhance your online presence, we will guide you through all the essential steps to create a website that captivates readers and promotes your books.

Here is the list of topics that we will cover in this guide:

• The Importance of Building an Author Website
• Selecting the Right Website Builder for Your Author Site
• Essential Requirements for Creating an Author Website
• Getting Started with Your Author Website
• Inspiring Examples of Author Websites
• Choosing the Perfect Theme for Your Author Site
• Setting Up Your Website Layout and Pages Effectively
• How to Sell Books on Your Author Website
• Strategies for Promoting Your Author Website

Are you ready? Let’s begin.

The Importance of Building an Author Website

Many authors depend on social media and their publisher’s website for promoting their works.

However, remember that you do not own any social media platform. Your followers could disappear suddenly if your account is blocked.

Therefore, the most effective way to promote your books and establish your personal brand is by creating your own website. It is yours, so no one can take it away from you.

You can still use social media to engage with readers, but we highly recommend building your email list as well. This allows you to communicate directly with your audience without relying on third-party platforms.

Having your own website provides you with greater control over your income. You can promote your books, develop an online subscription community, create a paid newsletter, and much more.

With that in mind, let’s explore how to easily create an author website without any coding skills or technical expertise.

Selecting a Website Builder for Your Author Site

Your author website serves as a central hub for your community. WordPress is an incredibly powerful tool for writers, offering complete control over the design and functionality of your site. This allows you to create a website that authentically represents you as a writer while fostering a strong connection with your readers.

WordPress is open source, meaning it is fully customizable and available for free download.

With WordPress, you can install add-ons known as plugins. These are software components that enhance the functionality of your site, and there are over 59,000 available in the WordPress.org directory.

Many of these plugins are tailored specifically for authors, providing tools for showcasing your books, managing events, building email lists, and even selling your work as eBooks.

Best of all, you can download and utilize all the plugins from WordPress.org at no cost.

However, it’s not just about cost savings. Research shows that WordPress is the most widely used website platform globally, powering nearly 43% of all websites.

By choosing WordPress, you join millions of successful websites, including many renowned authors. You’ll be leveraging a trusted platform that is ideal for showcasing your literary work.

It’s essential to choose the right type of WordPress software, as there are two options available.

The first option is WordPress.com, a hosted website builder. With WordPress.com, you don’t need to worry about finding a hosting plan or installing the software yourself. You can select a free plan or choose from various paid plans, and Automattic will take care of hosting your website.

The second option is WordPress.org, also known as self-hosted WordPress. We highly recommend using WordPress.org for your author website because it allows you to install plugins without the need for an expensive plan, unlike WordPress.com.

For more information on why we consistently recommend WordPress, check out our comprehensive WordPress review or our detailed comparison of WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

What Do You Need to Create an Author Website?

To build an author website using WordPress, you’ll require the following:

1. A domain name (e.g., CanadaCreate.com). This will serve as your website’s address, which users will enter in their browsers to access your site.
2. A hosting account. This is where all the files for your website will be stored.

Typically, a domain name costs about $14.99 per year, while website hosting plans begin at $7.99 per month, often billed annually. These expenses can accumulate quickly, especially when you’re focusing on your writing and marketing efforts.

Fortunately, Bluehost is offering CanadaCreate users a complimentary domain name along with a significant discount on hosting services. You can start your website for just $2.99 per month.

Bluehost is one of the largest hosting providers globally and is officially recommended for WordPress hosting.

If your budget permits a bit more for premium hosting, consider exploring SiteGround or Hostinger.

Looking for additional hosting options? Check out our comparison of the leading WordPress hosting providers.

Getting Started with Your Author Website

After signing up for a WordPress hosting account, the next step is to install WordPress.

When you register with Bluehost, they will automatically install WordPress for you. Just log in to your hosting account dashboard and click the ‘Edit WordPress Site’ button to access your WordPress site.

For other hosting providers, you can follow our detailed guide on how to install WordPress.

Once you log in, you’ll be greeted by your WordPress dashboard, which will resemble this layout:

Inspiring Author Website Examples for Your Reference

Before you start creating your author website, take some time to envision its design and the features you want to incorporate.

One of the greatest advantages of WordPress is its flexibility; you can enhance your site with a wide variety of features thanks to over 59,000 free plugins available (we’ll discuss this in more detail later).

Here are some author websites that we admire. Check them out for inspiration as you design your own site.

1. James Clear

James Clear is the bestselling author of Atomic Habits, which topped the New York Times list.

His website boasts a sleek, minimalist design, featuring an email subscription form as the primary call to action.

2. Lisa Gardner

Renowned fiction author Lisa Gardner’s website highlights her literary works and guides visitors to online retailers to purchase her books.

It includes a dynamic slider at the top and a prominent email newsletter signup form just below it.

3. Elizabeth Gilbert

This website showcases Elizabeth Gilbert’s literary creations, complete with links to online retailers where readers can purchase her books.

At the top, you’ll find links to various sections of the website, clearly marked with icons for easy navigation.

4. Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek, the bestselling author of ‘Start with Why,’ has a website that offers multiple monetization avenues.

His site includes books, a podcast, online courses, an e-commerce store, and much more.

5. Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell’s author website showcases a clean, minimalist design with his latest book prominently displayed on the homepage.

The navigation menu also features his podcast.

Selecting a Theme for Your Author Website

With ideas in mind for structuring your author website, it’s time to choose a suitable design.

Option 1: Select a WordPress Theme for Authors

WordPress utilizes themes to define the appearance of your website. Each theme typically includes various templates for different sections of your site.

There are thousands of free and premium WordPress themes available to help you create your author website. However, the abundance of options can be overwhelming for beginners trying to find their ideal design.

To simplify the process, we have compiled a list of the top WordPress themes for authors.

We suggest beginning with a minimalist theme that features a clean layout and ample white space. This approach enhances the professionalism and clarity of your website.

Alternative Option: Utilize SeedProd’s Drag and Drop Page Builder

WordPress themes are very user-friendly. However, there may be times when you desire the flexibility to design a custom website tailored to your vision.

This is where SeedProd shines. It is the leading WordPress page builder plugin available, enabling you to create any layout you need through an easy drag-and-drop interface, without requiring any coding skills.

We have utilized SeedProd to create many of our partner websites, including those for Duplicator, WPForms, and WP Charitable. Even the SeedProd website itself was built using this powerful tool!

Interested in learning more? Check out our comprehensive SeedProd review, where we share our insights and experiences with this popular plugin.

SeedProd offers a collection of over 300 professionally designed templates, including several specifically tailored for authors.

It also features an intuitive page builder that allows you to easily edit any element with a simple point-and-click or rearrange items by dragging and dropping to create your unique layouts.

With over 90 pre-designed blocks available, you can easily add new content to your site. Choose from various blocks such as social media profiles, testimonials, star ratings, image carousels, Stripe payment options, and more.

This tool is compatible with any WordPress theme, so you don’t have to worry about which theme you are currently using.

You can create a custom WordPress theme without any coding skills and edit it with the same user-friendly interface.

Creating Your Website Layout and Pages

WordPress offers two primary content types: posts and pages.

Typically, you will use posts to write articles and blog entries. For instance, you might share updates about your writing projects, announce book signings or events, or discuss topics that relate to your books.

This approach helps you connect more deeply with your readers, enhances your WordPress SEO, and increases traffic to your author website. By default, WordPress displays posts in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent content appears at the top unless you rearrange your posts.

In contrast, pages are intended for more permanent content. You can explore other author websites for inspiration on which pages to include.

Author websites typically feature the following key pages:

• Homepage – This is the initial page that visitors will see when they enter your website URL.
• Blog Page – This section is dedicated to sharing regular updates, news, articles, and more.
• About/Bio – An ‘About’ page provides a comprehensive introduction to you as an author, highlighting your background, awards, achievements, and more.
• Contact Page – A straightforward page featuring a contact form and additional ways for visitors to reach you.

You may also create other pages based on your goals for your author website. For instance, if you plan to sell merchandise online, you’ll need a shop page.

For further details, check out our article on essential pages for any WordPress website.

To add a new page in WordPress, simply navigate toPages » Add New. Here, you can enter a title for your page and add the desired content.

WordPress features a robust block editor that allows you to add each piece of content as a separate block. For more guidance, please refer to our tutorial on using the WordPress editor.

Alternatively, you can utilize SeedProd to design custom page layouts for your website.

After adding several pages, you’ll want to include them in the main menu at the top of your website.

To accomplish this, navigate to theNavigate to Appearance » Menusto create a new menu.

Simply add the pages you’ve created from the left column to your new menu.

Remember to click the ‘Save Menu’ button to apply your changes.

If you’re using a block theme, this method may not be applicable. Please refer to our tutorial on adding navigation menus in WordPress.

Showcasing Your Books on Your Author Website

As an author, it’s essential to prominently feature your books on your website. WordPress makes this process straightforward.

You can create a dedicated page titled ‘Books’ and upload your book cover images with buttons linking to purchase options, such as Amazon or other online retailers.

Additionally, you can highlight your latest book on your homepage with a call-to-action button that directs visitors to a purchase link.

For detailed instructions, check out our guides on adding and aligning images and creating buttons in WordPress.

If you’re currently selling only ebooks, take a look at our guide on selling digital downloads through WordPress.

Marketing Your Author Website

Now that your author website is fully established, the next important step is to promote it. This goes beyond just selling more books; it’s about building your identity as an author brand.

Here are some essential strategies to effectively promote your author website.

1. Launch Your Email Newsletter

Not every visitor to your website will purchase your books immediately. Additionally, many fans are eager to receive updates from their favorite authors.

An email newsletter is the most effective way to maintain regular communication with your readers and potential readers. A substantial email list can also enhance your ability to secure better book deals in the future.

WordPress integrates seamlessly with leading email marketing services, but we recommend Constant Contact as the most user-friendly option available.

For further information, check out our guide on how to start your newsletter.

2. Rapidly Expand Your Email List

Simply creating a newsletter and adding a basic sign-up form to your website won’t suffice to quickly grow your email list. You must actively promote your newsletter throughout your website and motivate readers to subscribe.

OptinMonster is the top choice for optimizing conversions. This leading software effectively transforms website visitors into loyal subscribers and customers.

OptinMonster offers a variety of features such as lightbox popups, slide-in popups, header and footer banners, countdown timers, and more. These tools help you capture more email addresses and accelerate the growth of your newsletter. We utilize OptinMonster to showcase special promotions and deals on numerous partner websites.

Looking for more strategies? Check out our tips for rapidly expanding your email list.

3. Enhance SEO for Your Author Website on WordPress

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for increasing free traffic to your website from search engines. To achieve this, you need the All in One SEO plugin for WordPress, which is the leading SEO plugin that enables you to optimize your site effortlessly, even without technical expertise.

We have been using AIOSEO on the CanadaCreate site for several years and have observed a significant increase in our search engine rankings. For more details, read our review of AIOSEO.

AIOSEO also includes schema markup, which informs search engines that your website is associated with an author. This feature can even showcase your photo in relevant search results.

Additionally, AIOSEO features a robust Author SEO addon that allows you to highlight your expertise, experience, and authority.

You can include information such as your education, job title, employer, and areas of expertise.

By showcasing your qualifications, you can align with Google’s E-E-A-T content guidelines and enhance your search engine visibility.

Moreover, All in One SEO will monitor your website’s SEO performance and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.

For more information, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to effectively set up All in One SEO for WordPress.

4. Incorporate Contact Forms

Your author website serves not only as a platform to promote your books but also as a means to create business opportunities, gather reader feedback, and strengthen your brand. Adding a contact form is the simplest way for visitors to reach out to you.

For this purpose, you’ll need WPForms, the leading WordPress contact form plugin, which features an intuitive drag-and-drop form builder.

Many of our brands have successfully utilized WPForms to integrate forms into their websites. To learn more, check out our in-depth WPForms review.

WPForms offers features such as entry management, user surveys, real-time polls, instant notifications, customizable form templates, and robust spam protection.

5. Offer Online Courses and Membership Subscriptions

Many authors, especially those in self-help, health, nutrition, and business niches, are now providing online courses and exclusive content for members on their websites.

This approach helps them create an additional revenue stream beyond book sales.

To incorporate this feature into your website, you’ll need to install and activate MemberPress.

MemberPress is the leading WordPress membership plugin that enables you to effortlessly sell subscriptions, restrict content for paying users, and offer online courses. We utilize MemberPress to manage our WordPress courses website, and we find it to be user-friendly and highly effective.

With MemberPress, you can also accept online payments, set up recurring billing, add course materials, and implement drip content strategies.

For comprehensive information, check out our guide on creating a membership website or our tutorial on selling online courses for beginners.

6. Monitor User Engagement on Your Author Website

Now that your website is up and running, it’s important to track its performance and user engagement.

Easily monitor your website’s performance with MonsterInsights, the top Google Analytics plugin for WordPress that simplifies the installation of Google Analytics.

At CanadaCreate, we utilize it to analyze audience engagement and refine our content strategy based on what resonates most with our readers. For more details, check out our review of MonsterInsights.

The plugin provides straightforward reports directly within your WordPress dashboard, giving you valuable insights into your visitors’ origins and their activities on your author website.

It also enables you to monitor conversions for forms, buttons, eCommerce transactions, and more.

This allows you to optimize your website for higher conversions, encouraging more visitors to subscribe to your newsletter, purchase books, or join your membership program.

For additional recommendations, explore our comprehensive list of essential WordPress plugins suitable for various types of websites.

We hope this guide has assisted you in creating your author website on WordPress. You might also find our article on the costs of building a WordPress website or our expert comparison of the best virtual business phone number apps helpful.

If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.