If you’re an unpublished author, you might be wondering: Do I really need an author website before my book is finished? The answer? Absolutely! In fact, setting up an author website before you even finalize your manuscript can be one of the smartest moves for building your author brand and setting yourself up for success. We’ll tell you why!
Why You Should Have an Author Website Before Publishing
An author website isn’t just a place to sell books—it’s your digital home as a writer. Most aspiring authors underestimate the importance of having a website when it comes to building their author brand from the very beginning. Here’s why launching one early can be beneficial:
- Establish Your Online Presence Early
The sooner you claim your domain name and set up your website, the better. This ensures you get the URL you want and helps you start ranking on search engines before your book even hits the shelves. - Build an Email List
A strong email list is invaluable for authors. If you start collecting emails now, you’ll have an engaged audience ready to buy when your book launches. - Connect with Readers and Build a Community
Having a website gives readers a place to find you, follow your journey, and engage with your content. Blog posts, behind-the-scenes updates, and even sneak peeks at your book can keep people interested. - Show Credibility and Professionalism
A professionally made author website makes you look serious about your craft. Agents, publishers, and even potential readers will see that you’re committed to your work. - Create a Central Hub for All Your Platforms
Social media is great, but it’s rented space. Your website is your own platform where you control your content, branding, and messaging.
What to Include on Your Unpublished Author Website
Even if you don’t have a book out yet, your author website can still be compelling. Here are a few must-haves:
- A Strong About Page: Share your journey as a writer, what inspires you, and what kind of books you’re working on.
- A Blog or Updates Section: Share insights into your writing process, book recommendations, or industry news.
- Social Media Links: Make it easy for visitors to follow you elsewhere.
- A Contact Page: Allow readers, potential collaborators, or media outlets to reach out.
- An Email Signup Form: Offer a freebie—like a short story, sample chapters, or exclusive content—to build up a list of potential readers before you even launch your book!
How to Get Started with Your Author Website
Not sure how to make an author website? You have two main options:
- DIY Website Builders – Platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace offer templates that are easy to use.
- Done-for-You Author Websites – If you prefer a professional, stress-free setup, a service that specializes in author website design can take care of everything for you.
Affordable and Professional Done-For-You Author Websites
If you want an author website that looks professional but doesn’t break the bank, our Done-For-You Author Websites are the perfect solution. You get a beautifully designed, fully functional site without the hassle of building it yourself. Here’s what you’ll get:
- A Beautiful, Affordable, Fully Functioning Author Website – Our websites are designed specifically for authors, for a fraction of the price of other agencies— starting at only $500.
- Designs That Look Custom – No cookie-cutter templates, just a Done-For-You website that fits your brand.
- SEO Optimization – Helping you rank higher on search engines so potential readers can find you.
- Built-in Email Signup – Grow your audience effortlessly before you even launch your book!
- Mobile-Friendly & Fast – Your site will look great and load quickly on any device.
- Hassle-Free Setup – We take care of the technical details so you can focus on writing.
- Ongoing Support & Maintenance – We provide you with inexpensive hosting and ongoing maintenance. We’ll even help you prepare for your book launch!
Getting started is easy, and it’s one of the best investments you can make to build your author brand as you get ready to launch your writing career!
Don’t Wait For Your Book to be Published – Start Building Your Author Brand Today!
You don’t need to wait until you’re published to create an author website. In fact, launching one early can help you build a loyal audience, establish your brand, and make marketing your book easier when the time comes. If you’re serious about your writing career, investing in a website that is specifically designed for authors is a no-brainer.
So, what’s stopping you? Let us build your author platform while you finish writing your first book!
