- Adam Ravona
- Nov 20
- 11 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
As an author, your stories live on the page, but your career thrives when you connect with readers. Knowing how to make an author website is one of the best ways to grow your audience, promote your books and build your brand.
An author website is your own space to share updates, sell directly to fans and control your narrative. And in today’s landscape, knowing how to build a website has never been easier.
Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can design, customize and launch a professional website in minutes. Everything about Wix is built to simplify the process so you can focus on what really matters: bringing your ideas to life. Ready to make it happen? Start creating the website you’ve always envisioned today.
TL;DR: How to make an author website
This guide will give you everything you need to build a website your author brand. From initial concept to launch day, here’s a quick look at what’s inside:
Why authors need a website: a space for connecting with readers, agents and publishers, giving you a professional platform to build your brand.
What to include on your site: essential pages and features like a bio, tour dates, book listings, a blog and contact information help you meet your professional goals.
A step-by-step building guide: follow these clear, actionable steps to create your website from start to finish using Wix.
Real author websites built with Wix: get inspired by seeing what other authors have created.
How to make an author website in 10 steps
Creating your author website is a straightforward process when you break it down into manageable steps. This section will guide you from the initial planning stages all the way to launching and promoting your new site.
8. Start a blog
01. Define the purpose of your website
An author website can go in a lot of directions, so before you start building anything, think about who you’re trying to reach and what you are trying to accomplish with your website.
Are you looking to connect with fans and keep them updated on book tours and signing events? Interested in guiding readers to your Amazon or Barnes & Noble author pages or are you thinking about self-publishing and selling books directly from an online store? Maybe a hybrid approach with a website that lets you connect with fans and promote your author pages while selling limited editions or signed copies?
Knowing exactly what you want from your website helps with choosing the right tools you need.
Explore these website building tips to make your site shine.
02. Choose a website builder
When researching the best website builders for authors, you want to look for one that’s easy to use but still powerful enough to handle your needs.
Wix brings your vision to life with its drag-and-drop website builder, so you can create a beautiful site without any coding. For an even faster start, the Wix’s free AI website builder can generate a unique, professional site for you in minutes.
If you are looking to sell digital and physical books, limited editions, signed copies or merchandise, Wix offers an all-in-one online store creator with fully customizable storefronts.
Considering different platforms before you start? Check out these guides to help you choose the best fit for your author website:
03. Pick a domain name and web hosting
Your domain name is your website's address.
Buy a domain that’s simple and memorable like YourName.com or YourPenName.com. Wix offers quick domain registration, and includes a free domain for the first year on all of its paid plans.
Web hosting is the service that stores your website's files and makes them accessible online. Wix has secure and free website hosting. Coupling domain registration with web hosting simplifies the process by keeping everything in one place.
04. Pick a template
A template is the foundation for your website's design.
Wix helps you stand out with bold, on-brand website templates including templates created specifically for authors and writers.
Browse through the 2,000+ template options and select one that aligns with your genre and personal brand. You can always change colors, fonts and layouts later to keep things looking fresh.
Check out what other types of websites you can build with Wix.
05. Customize your website
This is where your website truly becomes yours.
After you’ve locked in a template, start uploading content and media like your personal bio and professional headshot.
Wix’s intuitive drag and drop website builder gives you complete creative control over the look and feel of your site, so you can go ahead and adjust the color scheme and layout to match book covers or literary themes.
06. Add useful pages
Every author's website should include a few fundamental pages.
Homepage
Start with a homepage that grabs your readers’ attention immediately.
It should clearly feature your name, your de facto headshot and a primary call-to-action, such as a link to buy your latest book, sign up for your newsletter or your next signing event.
As the first page people see when they go to your website, the homepage sets the tone for your entire author brand.
Author Bio page
Your "About" or “Author Bio” page is one of the most-visited pages on any author’s site, and is where you share your story, your professional background and the inspiration behind your writing.
For inspiration, take your about the author blurb you’d place on the back cover, inside flap or at the end of a book, and build off from there. You also have an entire page to work with, so feel free to expand beyond your standard about the author paragraph. A high-resolution professional photo or headshot should also be on this page.
A well-written bio helps readers feel a personal connection to you, the author.
Books page
This is your digital bookshelf, letting you create a dedicated page for all your published work.
For each title, include an eye-catching book cover, an intriguing blurb or summary and essential links to your author pages with major retailers, like Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
You can also integrate Wix eCommerce into your books page to sell signed copies or special editions. If you’re a self-published author, you can sell both physical and digital copies of your work directly to your readers.
Learn more about how to make an eCommerce website →
Testimonials and reviews
Reviews and testimonials can be a huge help for building credibility and trust with new readers.
Displaying positive blurbs from readers, critics and major publications in a visually appealing way, like a dynamic gallery or slider, establishes social proof and encourages visitors to confidently purchase your work.
Events and Tours page
Keep fans updated on your schedule and opportunities to meet you in person.
This page should list all upcoming book tours, signings, literary festivals and virtual events you’re planning to attend. Be sure to include dates, times, locations and direct links for ticket purchases or virtual access.
Contact page
A simple, professional contact page is crucial.
Include a user-friendly contact form so readers can send quick messages, and provide a separate, clear email address for professional inquiries from agents, publishers and media outlets to easily get in touch.
More a freelancer than an author? This blog post will show you how to create a freelancer website →
07. Build a mailing list or start a newsletter
A mailing list is arguably one of the most important parts of an author website.
Unlike social media algorithms that might hide updates from readers, a mailing list provides a direct, reliable line of communication to your most dedicated readers, ensuring they see your announcements.
For launching new titles and driving sales, email marketing offers consistently superior conversion rates.
Use your website as the top place for building your mailing lists. Offer an appealing incentive, like a free short story, a downloadable checklist or a sample chapter, to encourage sign-ups and keep fans in the loop about new work and upcoming events.
Does Wix have email marketing? Yes, it does.
08. Start a blog
An excellent way to consistently engage your readership, boost your website's presence on search engines and establish yourself as an authority is to create a blog for your website.
Wix makes it easy to start a blog, letting you share a variety of content that connects with your audience, like personal insights into your writing process, tips for aspiring writers, book recommendations or even short stories and excerpts from your unpublished work.
Sharing behind-the-scenes details about your books and world-building can create a deeper connection with your fans and keep them returning for more.
A steady flow of fresh content is also highly beneficial for your site's SEO performance.
"Is blogging still relevant? Yes! It's crucial for building your brand's voice and community, and it allows you to expand your reach to relevant audiences who might otherwise not know you exist." - Judit Ruiz Ricart, strategic project manager at Wi
New to blogging? Check out these blogging for beginners tips and get inspired by these stunning blog examples.
09. SEO optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) helps readers find your website through search engines like Google or Bing.
SEO isn’t just a nice to have, with authors mentioning that more than 75% of their traffic comes from Google searches.
As an author, SEO can give your site a huge boost since it connects you directly with people searching for books in your genre or the topics you write about. Start by adding relevant keywords, like book titles, genres and themes into your page titles, book descriptions and blog posts.
Wix SEO is Wix’s suite of built-in SEO tools, including an SEO setup checklist, to guide you through the optimization process.
Learn more about SEO in the Wix SEO learning hub →
10. Maintain and promote your website
Treat your website like a living breathing project, because it is.
Keep your site fresh by regularly adding new blog posts, updating events calendar and announcing new book releases. Promote your site on social media and in your email newsletter to drive traffic.
With Wix Analytics, you can track your visitors and see what content performs best, helping you refine your strategy over time.
Author website examples made with Wix
Looking at how other authors build their sites can give you great ideas for your own. Here are a few examples of author websites that effectively blend personal branding with smart design.
01. Joanna Wolford
Joanna Wolford’s website is a great example of setting a specific mood that matches an author's genre. The dark, atmospheric imagery immediately tells visitors they’ve entered the world of a horror and fantasy writer.
Her site is clean and easy to navigate, with a clear menu at the top. Her homepage gets straight to the point, introducing herself and her work and includes a simple subscription form to build her mailing list.
She dedicates a section to her "Published Work," where each piece is presented with a brief description. For her debut novel, she has a list of accolades that builds credibility.
What works so well here is the directness. Joanna provides a direct link to purchase her work on Amazon, guiding visitors from learning about her books to buying them, making it an effective website that supports sales.
Like what you see? Build your own cleaning website using this same template.
Template name: Start from scratch website template
02. Arthur Ni
Arthur Ni’s website demonstrates a strong focus on community engagement and content sharing. The design is modern and minimalist, using a clean layout that makes his stories the center of attention.
Arthur immediately introduces himself as a "Storyteller at Heart" and uses his website to post free short stories directly on his site. This is an excellent strategy for giving readers a taste of his writing style, which can encourage them to follow his work and purchase future novels.
The site also includes a clear call to subscribe to his newsletter and a PayPal link for readers who want to show their support, offering a simple way to generate revenue from his free content.
Arthur mentions that he's working on novellas and a full-length novel, building anticipation for future sales. His site acts as a hub for his growing community of readers, blending free content with clear pathways for future commercial opportunities.
Like what you see? Build your own cleaning website using this same template.
Template name: Start from scratch website template
03. Zachary Kellian
Zachary Kellian’s website is a masterclass in building a professional writer's portfolio.
His site uses a striking, full-screen image and a bold title to establish a strong authorial presence right away. The "Writings" section is well-organized and presents his published works in a visually appealing grid. For each piece, he includes the publisher and a direct link to read or purchase it, which is perfect for showcasing a wide range of publications.
What makes this site so effective is its use of social proof. The "In the Press" section features compelling quotes from reviews and industry figures, which adds a significant layer of authority. He also lists awards and finalist recognitions prominently.
By combining a polished website with testimonials and easy access to his published work, Zachary created a site that is not only a comprehensive archive of his achievements but also a powerful tool for attracting agents, publishers and new readers.
Like what you see? Build your own author website using this same template.
Template name: Writer website template
Why professional authors choose Wix
Authors need more than just a place to list their books. They need a platform that supports their entire career, from building a community to driving sales. Wix isn't just a website builder; it's a complete solution designed to help authors succeed.
Wix provides an intuitive website builder with drag and drop editing, so you can design a site that perfectly reflects your brand, whether it's an author website, a music website or a service website, without any technical frustration.
Want to sell books or merchandise? Wix eCommerce offers robust tools to manage your store, process payments and handle shipping. Plus, with integrated marketing features like email marketing and social media tools, you can promote your work and connect with your audience all from one dashboard.
See more:
How to make an author website FAQ
How do I start an author website if I've never built one before?
Platforms like Wix are designed for beginners. You can start with a professionally designed template and customize it using a simple drag-and-drop editor. For an even easier experience, the Wix AI website builder can create a personalized site for you in minutes based on a few prompts.
Learn more about how to design a website with AI →
What mistakes should I avoid when creating my author website?
Avoid a cluttered design; keep it clean and easy to navigate. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly, as many readers will visit on their phones. Also, don't forget to include a clear call to action, like "Buy the Book" or "Subscribe to My Newsletter."
How can I make my author website look professional on a small budget?
You can create a professional-looking website for free with Wix. The free plan gives you access to hundreds of templates and a wide range of design tools. For a more professional touch, you can upgrade to a premium plan to get a custom domain name and remove Wix ads.
How do I make my author website stand out from other authors' websites?
Infuse your personality into the design. Use a unique color palette, share personal stories on your blog and use high-quality photos. Let your voice—the same one that makes your books special—shine through in your website’s content.
Do I really need to update my website regularly, and what's worth updating?
Yes, regular updates keep your audience engaged and are good for SEO. It shows that your career is active and gives readers a reason to return.
How often should I update my website, and what kind of content should I add to keep it fresh?
Aim to update it at least once a month. You can add new blog posts, share event dates for book signings or tours, announce pre-orders or post excerpts from your upcoming work. Even small updates, like adding a new review, can keep your site feeling current.