How to Make Your Author Website Rank on Google – SEO Tips For Authors
So, you’ve got an author website—awesome! But what’s the point if no one can find it? That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. If you want to attract more readers, sell more books, and grow your online presence as an author, you need to optimize your website for search engines like Google.
The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to do this. In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll walk you through the best SEO tips for authors so you can start ranking higher on Google and get your books in front of the right audience.
Why SEO for Authors is Important
When readers search for books in your genre, wouldn’t it be great if your website popped up on the first page of Google? That’s what SEO can do for you!
A well-optimized author website helps you:
✅ Increase visibility – More people find you online.
✅ Drive targeted traffic – Attract readers who are actually interested in your books.
✅ Sell more books – Turn casual visitors into buyers.
Without SEO, your website might as well be invisible. Let’s fix that!
Here are 7 SEO Tips for Authors:
1. Choose the Right Keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google to find content. If you want your author website to rank, you need to use the right keywords throughout your site.
How to Find Good SEO Keywords for Authors
- Think like your readers: What would they search for to find your books?
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find high-ranking keywords.
- Focus on a mix of short-tail keywords (e.g., “fantasy books”) and long-tail keywords (e.g., “best fantasy books for young adults”).
Some great SEO keywords for authors include:
- [Your Name] + Books (e.g., “Jane Doe fantasy books”)
- Best books for [your genre]
- How to buy [your book title] online
Pro Tip: Use keywords naturally! Google hates keyword stuffing, so avoid cramming too many into your content.
2. Optimize Your Website Content
Once you have your keywords, it’s time to optimize your content. Here’s where to use them:
a) Page Titles & Headings
Your homepage, blog posts, and book pages should include your main keywords. For example, instead of “Welcome to My Website,” use “Jane Doe – Best Fantasy Author & Books Online.”
b) Meta Descriptions
A meta description is the short text that appears under your website link in search results. Make it compelling and keyword-rich!
Example:
❌ Welcome to my website. I write books.
✅ Discover bestselling fantasy books by Jane Doe. Read excerpts, explore new releases, and buy books online!
c) Blog Content
Google loves fresh content! Blogging about topics related to your books, writing process, or genre can boost your rankings.
Example Blog Topics:
- “Top 10 Fantasy Books to Read in 2025”
- “Behind the Scenes: How I Wrote My Latest Novel”
- “Where to Buy [Your Book Title] Online”
Use Call to Actions: Don’t forget to add links to your book sales pages or mailing list at the end of every post!
3. Improve Your Website Speed & Mobile Friendliness
Google ranks fast and mobile-friendly websites higher. Here’s how to make sure your author website is up to speed:
✅ Use a lightweight theme and optimize images to prevent slow loading.
✅ Test your site speed with Google PageSpeed Insights.
✅ Ensure your author website design is mobile-responsive so readers can browse easily on phones and tablets.
If you hire us to build a Done-For-You author website, we will take care of all of this technical stuff so you don’t need to worry about it!
4. Build Backlinks (Google Loves These!)
A backlink is when another website links to yours. More backlinks = higher Google rankings.
How to Get Backlinks:
- Guest post on other author blogs or writing websites.
- Get featured on book review blogs.
- Share your site link on social media and writing communities.
The more high-quality sites linking to your author website, the more authority you build with Google!
5. Use Internal Links
Linking to your own pages within your website helps Google understand your site structure and keeps visitors engaged.
For example, if you have a blog post about your writing process, link to your book sales page within the post. This improves SEO and boosts book sales!
6. Leverage Social Media for SEO
While social media itself doesn’t directly affect Google rankings, engagement and shares can drive more traffic to your site.
✔️ Share blog posts, book updates, and author news on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
✔️ Engage with readers and encourage them to visit your author website.
✔️ Include your website link in your social media bios.
More traffic = higher Google rankings!
7. Track Your SEO Progress
SEO isn’t a one-time thing—it’s an ongoing process. Track your progress using Google Search Console and Google Analytics to see what’s working and where you can improve.
Look at:
📊 Which pages are getting the most traffic?
📊 What keywords are bringing people to your site?
📊 How long are visitors staying on your pages?
Regularly updating your author website with fresh content and monitoring your SEO strategy will help you rank higher over time.
Let Us Handle Your SEO Optimization
SEO for authors might sound intimidating at first, but taking small, consistent steps will help your website climb Google rankings. By using strategic keywords, optimizing content, improving site speed, and building backlinks, you’ll attract more readers and sell more books—organically!
If you need a Done-for-You Author Website that’s already SEO-optimized, check out our professional website services to get started today! 🚀
How’s your SEO journey going? Drop your questions in the comments! 👇
