Best Author Websites and Why They Work!

Jan 14

Written By Kate .

Let’s get straight to it—having an amazing and strategic author website is no longer optional. It’s a must-have if you want to grow your audience, sell more books, and create a professional online home for your books.

Here’s why your author website matters:

It builds an online presence and helps you connect with readers.
It boosts your book sales and highlights your personal brand as an author.
It gives you a professional hub where everything about your work lives.

In this post, I’m going to showcase three stunning author websites from across the internet and break down exactly why they work so well. These websites aren’t just pretty—they’re designed to engage readers, drive action, and help authors succeed.

Oh, and before you go any further, don’t forget to grab my free Author Website Blueprint. It’s your go-to guide that breaks down the all the content AND every page your author website needs to captivate and connect with readers.

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What Makes an Author Website “The Best”?

Not all author websites are created equal. The best ones check a few key boxes:

User-Friendly Design: Readers should feel at home navigating your site. A clutter-free, intuitive design is key.

Mobile Responsiveness: With so many readers accessing websites on their phones, your site needs to look great and function seamlessly on all devices.

SEO Optimization:Your site should rank well on search engines so readers can find you when they Google your name or books.

Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs):Whether it’s to buy your books, join your newsletter, or book an event, clear CTAs guide visitors to take the next step.

Thoughtful Branding:Your site’s design should reflect your unique voice and style as an author.

Easy Navigation:Readers shouldn’t have to hunt for what they need—whether that’s your books, blog, or events.

Now, let’s take a closer look at three standout author websites that nail all these elements and more.

3 Examples of Stunning Author Websites

Example 1: Joy Harjo

What Makes It Great:

Eye-catching homepage that instantly introduces Joy and her work.
Dedicated book pages with summaries, reviews, and easy-to-find purchase links.
Strong CTAs to explore her poetry, music, and books.

Key Features to Highlight:

Personal and relatable author bio page.
Mobile-responsive design for a seamless experience on any device.
SEO-optimized pages that rank for keywords like "Joy Harjo books" and "poet laureate."

Why It Works: Joy’s website is an amazing mix of engaging design, user-friendly navigation, and strategic CTAs. It’s everything a reader could want from an author’s website and more.

Example 2: Alyssa Cole

What Makes It Great:

Clean, modern layout that’s super easy to navigate.
Blog section for sharing updates and connecting with readers.
A media page perfect for press inquiries, interviews, and events.

Key Features to Highlight:

Prominent CTAs for book promotions.
Professional branding that reflects the author’s voice.
Separate book pages optimized for search engines and detailed book descriptions.

Why It Works: This site combines sleek design with powerful functionality. It’s designed to be both visually stunning and incredibly useful for readers and fans.

Example 3: Rupi Kaur

What Makes It Great:

Interactive features like book previews, downloadable recordings of her poetry, and event calendars.
A portfolio showcasing other works, like articles or speaking engagements.
Personal storytelling that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the author’s journey.

Key Features to Highlight:

Highly optimized for mobile devices.
Strong visuals and branding that set the author apart.
Well-placed CTAs for pre-orders, newsletter signups, and contact forms.

Why It Works: This website is a masterclass in creating an immersive reader experience. It’s all about connection, and it delivers in spades.

Key Takeaways from the Best Author Websites

Looking at these examples, it’s clear what makes a truly standout author website:

1. A Clear, Engaging Homepage

First impressions matter, so make your homepage count. Introduce yourself, your books, and your unique brand as an author.

2. Dedicated Book and Blog Pages

Separate pages for your books and blog not only improve SEO but also make it easy for readers to find exactly what they’re looking for.

3. Strong Branding

Your website should visually reflect who you are as an author. Whether it’s bold and contemporary or soft and poetic, your design should feel like you.

4. Mobile Responsiveness

With so many readers browsing on mobile, a responsive design isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.

5. Effective CTAs

Guide visitors to take the next step: buy your book, sign up for your newsletter, or reach out for an event.

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Tips for Building Your Own Best Author Website

If you’re ready to create your own website that wows readers, here’s how to get started:

Use a Clean, Professional Design

Choose a layout that prioritizes user experience. Avoid clutter and focus on highlighting your work.

Focus on Essential Pages

At a minimum, include:

Homepage: Introduce yourself and your work.
About Page: Share your story and connect with readers.
Books Page: Showcase your work with summaries, reviews, and purchase links.
Blog Page: Share updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes content.
Contact Page: Make it easy for readers and media to get in touch.

Optimize for SEO

Use keywords your readers might search for, like "author website design" or "[Your Name] books." Meta descriptions, alt tags for images, and clean URLs are your best friends here.

Include Features That Boost Engagement

Newsletter Sign-Up Forms: Offer a freebie (like a short story or chapter) to encourage sign-ups.
Media Kits or Press Pages: Make it easy for journalists and bloggers to feature you.
Testimonials and Reviews: Build credibility with social proof.

Invest in Professional Design Services

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. A professional website designer can help you create a site that’s not only beautiful but also highly functional and strategic.

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Conclusion

A well-designed author website is your ultimate tool for growing your audience, increasing book sales, and showcasing your unique author brand. The best part? It’s all doable with a little strategy and the right tools.

Ready to create a site that works as hard as you do? Check out my author website design services and let’s make your dream author website a reality!