How Authors Can Use Their Website to Drive Direct Book Sales
The Overview
Use a Professional Author Website Template: Choose a clean, modern Squarespace template that reflects your unique author brand and lets your books shine.
Sell Your Books Directly from your website: Use Squarespace’s e-commerce tools to set up a smooth, direct sales page where readers can easily buy your books—no middlemen needed!
Showcase Your Book writing journey: Feature stunning book covers, sneak peeks, and sample chapters to get your readers excited about your work.
Capture Reader Emails: Strategically place newsletter sign-ups so readers can stay in the loop about your latest releases and exclusive content. *Newsletter’s lead to the most book sales
Blog Your Way to More Sales: Share behind-the-scenes insights, writing tips, and book updates on your blog to connect with readers and drive traffic to your store.
Show Off Your Awesomeness: Highlight reader testimonials, glowing reviews, and media mentions to build trust and get new readers on board.
How Indie Authors Can Use A Squarespace Website Template to Drive Direct Book Sales
Ugh… social media. I get it, social media seems to rule everything from book promotions to reader interactions, and I bet you (like many authors) are feeling the pressure to become a full-fledge influencer. The allure of viral posts and massive amounts of followers just dying to buy your books is hard to resist, but it often pulls authors away from what really matters—telling your stories and building longterm connections with your readers.
Your Author Website is the destination not Social Media
Fortunately, you don’t need to chase social media trends and likes to sell books. In fact, some of the most successful indie authors are moving away from social media as their main sales platform and embracing the power of their own author websites. By focusing on creating a home for your work, building a newsletter, and using e-commerce features on your website, you can sell your books directly to your readers, free from the constraints of ever-changing social media trends.
If you’re an indie author looking to use your website as a platform for book sales, a well-designed Squarespace template can make all the difference. In this post, I’ll share actionable tips to help you drive book sales directly from your site—no social media “fame” required.
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Why Sell Books Directly from Your Author Website?
Before diving into the technical side, let’s talk about why selling books directly from your website is such a powerful strategy.
You Keep More Profits: When you sell through platforms like Amazon or a bookstore, you’re usually splitting a large percentage of your earnings. By selling directly from your website, you cut out the middleman and keep a bigger portion of your revenue.
You Own the Relationship: Selling through third-party platforms means you’re often at the mercy of their algorithms and rules. When you sell from your website, you get to control the relationship. You capture email addresses, understand your readers’ purchasing habits, and build long-term connections.
Direct Feedback & Reader Interaction: When readers buy directly from you, they feel more connected to the author behind the story. This gives you the opportunity to provide personalized offers, signed books, or even bundle unique items with their purchase.
Now that we’ve established the benefits, let’s explore how Squarespace can help you make this shift.
Author Website Inspiration
Check Out The Squarespace Author Templates
Visit the Author Website Template Shop: TEMPLATE SHOP
THE ATWOOD - Squarespace Author Website Template
THE HEMINGWAY - Squarespace Author Website Template
THE GILBERT - Squarespace Author Website Template
The Power of using Squarespace Templates built specifically for Authors
Squarespace is known for its user-friendly design, making it perfect for indie authors who want a professional website without the hassle of coding. Whether you’re a seasoned website builder or new to the game, my Author Squarespace templates are designed to simplify the process while still giving you full control over customization.
As an author, one of your primary goals should be to make it as easy as possible for readers to find, buy, and enjoy your books. Here’s how you can do just that:
Choose an Author Website Template with E-Commerce Features
Not all templates are created equal, especially when it comes to selling products. When selecting a Squarespace template, make sure to choose one with built-in e-commerce functionality. My Squarespace Author Website Templates are designed with this in mind, offering features specifically created to help indie authors turn casual visitors into loyal buyers.
Look for these key features:
A Shop Page: This is where your books will live. You can organize different book formats (eBooks, paperbacks, hardcovers) and allow customers to easily browse and purchase directly from your website.
Easy Checkout: Streamlining the checkout process is essential. You want the buying experience to be smooth and fast. Squarespace templates come with built-in e-commerce tools that integrate with payment platforms like PayPal and Stripe.
Inventory Management: If you’re offering signed copies or limited-edition books, Squarespace’s inventory management system helps you keep track of what’s available, so you never accidentally oversell.
Integrate Newsletter Opt-Ins Throughout Your Site
One of the most powerful tools you can use as an author is your newsletter. In fact, many authors find that their most loyal readers (and biggest book buyers) come from their email list, not from social media.
To grow your list, you’ll want to strategically place newsletter opt-in forms throughout your site. My author website templates come with pre-built options for this, but here are a few key places to include them:
Homepage: This is your first impression. Make sure you have a compelling call-to-action (CTA) inviting visitors to join your newsletter to stay updated on your latest book releases, exclusive content, or even a sneak peek of upcoming work.
Book Sales Page: Add a simple opt-in for readers who might not be ready to buy yet, but are interested in future releases. Offering a free sample chapter in exchange for their email can be a powerful incentive.
Checkout Process: Don’t forget to include an option to sign up for your newsletter during checkout. It’s a low-pressure way to capture emails from people who are already buying your book.
Leverage Pre-Order Campaigns
Pre-orders are a fantastic way to drum up excitement before your next release, and with Squarespace’s e-commerce capabilities, you can easily set up a pre-order page directly on your site. Not only does this give you control over the process, but it also allows you to start building sales before the book even launches.
Here’s how to create a pre-order campaign:
Create a Dedicated Pre-Order Page: Use one of Squarespace’s landing page templates to create a pre-order page that highlights the book’s cover, description, and any special bonuses for early buyers (like signed copies or exclusive chapters).
Offer Bonuses for Early Buyers: Give readers an extra incentive to buy during the pre-order window. For example, you can offer a free digital download, a signed bookmark, or even an invitation to an exclusive online event for your pre-order customers.
Use Social Media to Promote It (Sparingly): While this guide focuses on selling through your website, there’s still value in using social media to promote your pre-order. Share sneak peeks, countdowns, or testimonials from early readers to get people excited.
Use your Author Website to Create Exclusive Bundles and Offers
Another great way to drive sales is by offering exclusive bundles and upsells that readers can only get on your website. This not only encourages direct purchases but also helps you stand out from retailers like Amazon.
Here’s how you can structure a few bundle ideas:
Book + Merch: Pair your book with custom merch like signed postcards, bookmarks, or even character-inspired artwork.
Book + Digital Content: Offer a package deal that includes the book and additional digital content, like an exclusive short story, a behind-the-scenes look at your writing process, or a book club discussion guide.
Book Box: If you have a series or multiple formats (like eBook and paperback), offer a “Book Box” bundle where readers can get multiple items at a discounted rate.
Use Blogging to Drive Traffic to Your Book Sales Page
Blogging is a fantastic tool for bringing new traffic to your website. Every blog post is an opportunity to connect with readers, share your thoughts, and ultimately, guide them to your books. Plus, well-optimized blog content can improve your site’s SEO, making it easier for readers to find you.
Here’s are some simple blog post ideas:
Create Posts Related to Your Book: Write about topics that tie into the themes of your book or your writing process. For example, if you write historical fiction, you could create posts about the historical period your book is set in. At the end of each post, include a CTA encouraging readers to check out your book.
Repurpose Social Media Content: If you’ve been sharing content on social media, you can repurpose those ideas into longer blog posts. For example, if you’ve shared writing tips or updates on your book’s progress, turn those into full blog articles with links to your book sales page.
Check out Website Design Services here: Author Website Design Services
Looking for a website designer for your author website?
Let me guess… You’ve already spent hours piecing together advice from reading blog-after-blog explaining website design principles and yet you’re still unsure about what exactly should be on your website. You’re ready to connect with your readers and can’t wait to be featured at book readings, conferences and podcasts. Perhaps you’ve realized that DIYing your author website may not be for you. No worries, I’m here to help!
Your Author Website can be used to build a community, not just make a Sale
At the end of the day, selling directly from your website isn’t just about driving book sales—it’s about building a lasting connection with your readers. By creating a space where they can engage with your work, learn more about your writing, and join your community through your newsletter, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success that doesn’t rely on the whims of social media.
With Squarespace’s e-commerce features and my author website templates designed specifically to grow your newsletter and book sales, you’ll have everything you need to turn your website into a powerful hub for your author business.
Your stories are worth more than a fleeting social media post. Start building genuine, lasting connections—and sell more books—by focusing on the community you can grow directly on your site. After all, we are all looking for more connection with one another.
FREE!
Want to Sell More Books? It All Starts with Your Newsletter!
What’s Inside?
Discover the secret sauce top authors use to build loyal reader lists and skyrocket their book sales! 🚀 Download my free guide: Author Newsletter Booster: How to Get More Newsletter Signups on Your Author Website and start building your fanbase today.
Enter your email below to access the guide:
Check Out The Squarespace Author Templates
Visit the Author Website Template Shop: TEMPLATE SHOP
THE ATWOOD - Squarespace Author Website Template
THE HEMINGWAY - Squarespace Author Website Template
THE GILBERT - Squarespace Author Website Template
