Web Design Is Important for Author Websites

This video provides the viewer with a little information about the author and their work. It can be a straightforward “talking head” type video, an interview clip video, or something artistic and stylish.

These videos are movie-trailer-style commercials about the author’s books. They come in a variety of styles. You can view some of the videos I created for the second edition of Home Sweet Home at the bottom of the book’s sales page.

These videos show case how readers love your work. You can record testimonials at book-signing events or after presenting a webinar or other virtual event. Or you can hold contests and giveaways where your readers create fun videos showing of their fandom to win a prize. (Watch the Svengoolie movie that airs on Saturday nights on MeTV and you’ll see a segment with Sven shows off art and photographs that his fans send him. You can do the same thing!)

Create instructional videos that go show off the research you did to write your book or share how to do something either discussed in your book or that one of your characters does in your book.

When you land on Honorée’s website, you are greeted by a bold and cheerful color pallet and an image of her book, The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois. The navigation is simple and unobtrusive. When you scroll down the page, you can read quotes about the book, and finally near the bottom there is a picture of her and some biographical information. Her site makes it clear that she is proud of her work and would like to share it with you. I like that you get a feel for her straightforward style from the aesthetic of her site.

Honestly, George’s site, as a whole isn’t that impressive. It is plain and simple. However, he got me to stay on the site for longer than I would have because the big image of his book moves. He uses an animated gif of his book cover that starts out plain and gradually reveals itself as his “hero image.” That was clever and captivating. How might you use movement to catch a visitor’s eye and keep them around long enough to learn more about you and your work?

I got a clear sense of brand when I landed on Diane’s website. Her name is big and bold – therefore I know she is branding herself rather than her book. And the image that is the backdrop behind the image of her book gives you the impression that her work is suspenseful and moody. Go down the page, and you’ll discover that she writes “suspenseful stories that touch both heart and mind.” Great branding, Diane!

There is a simplicity and power to Clint’s site. His book is front and center, surrounded by accolades. Without even reading the title or what the book is about, I’m already curious to learn more. This site uses social proof in a potent way that works on the subconscious. If you have enough awards, testimonials, and so forth that you can showcase, do it. Social proof sells books.

Remember how I said that images of ordinary people are more appealing than images of models? Carol uses this to her advantage, showcasing herself is an artsy black and white image that hints at her personality. Her eyes are smiling to greet you as you land on her home page. And then there is her tagline: Author. Journalist. Humanist. The image matches her message perfectly.

Here is another author showcasing his own image on his homepage. But Patrick uses a color image, and he looks more serious. However, a quick look at the titles of his book and you’ll see how well this image matches his brand. His topics are sober, serious, and straightforward – much like the impression I got from the image.

If all you saw was Ben’s header, which contains his name and a simple logo-like image, you would get an instant feel for the types of books he writes – Spy stories. You might not know if they were truth or fiction, given the visuals, but if you like spies, then you might not care.