The best time to get an author website is…well, as soon as you’ve decided to get one. The good news is, you don’t need a computer science degree to get it up and running. The bad news—you may have to get comfortable with some mildly technical stuff. (Helpful hint: Keep this page handy as you read through the rest of this post: website terminology every author should know.)
But it’s not that hard. Honest. Let’s break it down into the basic steps.
1. The decision
The first step to getting an author website is deciding to get one. So go ahead and cross that off your list. However, twixt the decision and a fully functional website lie many other steps, some of which might seem intimidating at first glance.
There are many kinds of author websites. You might want a single-page kind, or you might want to sell books and merchandise on it. You might want a blog, host online events, interact directly with readers.
Or—maybe—you’re not sure yet.
That’s just fine. For now, all you need to be sure of is that you want a website and what you want to put on it.
Photo by Leeloo The First
2. The domain name
The domain name is another term for your website’s address. For example, mine is “shwetavachani.com”. This is what you’d want people to type into the address bar of a browser to arrive at your website.
You probably want this to be something simple, like “yourname.com” or “yournameauthor.com”. Before you set your heart on it, check if is available. Typing “domain name search” on Google, DuckDuckGo, or your favourite search engine will tell you where to go to check domain name availability. Otherwise name.com is a good place to start.
3. A web hosting plan
Web hosting refers to renting a space on an internet server to store the files, images, videos, content, and all other data related to your website. So if the domain name is the name and address of your house, hosting is the plot of land it stands on. Some popular hosting services are Namecheap, Bluehost, Hostinger and SiteGround—nowhere near a comprehensive list.
Storing your website’s files correctly will ensure everything displays as it should when someone types in the website address. Your web host will have the requisite hardware and software to make that happen.
Hosting also includes things like email addresses, backups, security, and so on. These kind of features make sure that when a reader sends you a mail, fills out a form, or comments on your blog, the responses reach the right places.
Photo by Ruth Durbin on Unsplash
Also 3. A website builder service
Okay, here’s where it gets slightly confusing, so hold on to your seats.
Instead of buying hosting space and creating your website there, you could opt for a website builder service like Squarespace, Wix, Weebly or WordPress.com. The advantage of this is that you get drag-and-drop interfaces to set up your website, minimal technical know-how required. Some of them have free plans as well, which might be good enough for a basic website.
On the downside, page builders are usually limited in design options and functionality. Typically, you can always get more features by paying for a higher package, but this will still not give you the flexibility that comes from having your own hosting space.
If you’re looking for a one-stop solution, they may not be a bad option. My only worry would be future proofing—if the service shuts down, you will likely have to build your website from scratch somewhere else. These platforms are not compatible with each other, so if you want to move to a different service, this often means losing your old site.
4. Building the website
If you opt for a website builder, this is self-explanatory. If you opt, instead, for a self-hosted website, then you need to upload your files to the space provided by your hosting service.
I am a huge fan of WordPress, the free software application (not to be confused with the website builder WordPress.com), for this. This application lets you create, edit, publish and manage websites. It includes features for a blog, portfolio, contact form, web shop, user sign-ups, and more.
These days, most hosting providers have a one-click WordPress installation feature. Using this feature will save you from dealing with a lot of technical backend stuff.
Finally, remember, your first (or only) author website doesn’t have to be a multi-page behemoth. The journey of a lifetime begins with one step, after all.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
5. Putting your content up
An author website is not just a matter of getting your blurbs, reviews, covers, blog posts, and what have you up, but also about making it all look good. Depending on what platform your site is built on—Squarespace, Weebly, WordPress, etc.—you ought to be able to find templates, both free and paid. Similarly, most platforms will also give you a selection of plugins or widgets to add extra functionality, like slideshows, social media feeds, discussion forums, events and more.
Summing it up
I’m not going to lie—there is going to be a learning curve, especially if this is your first website. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on costs so that the additional price of themes, plugins and other features don’t blow your budget.
If this sounds overwhelming, it’s because it can be. You won’t get your perfect website up and running in an hour. Or even a day. So go slow, and be patient.