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Creating a standout author website is more than just a creative exercise. It’s a strategic move to connect with your readers, showcase your work, and grow your audience. But let’s be honest – figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. With so many design options, layouts, and features to consider, it’s easy to feel stuck staring at a blank screen, wondering how to build a site that truly reflects your brand as an author.
In this article, I’ll show you 14 of the best author websites that combine beautiful design with smart functionality. These examples not only look great but also include features like mailing list integrations, intuitive navigation, and eye-catching book showcases – everything an author needs to grow their online presence.
Did you know you can build a beautiful, professional author website in just minutes? Wix offers over 20 templates for writers and blogs, making it simple to create a site that highlights your books and connects with readers. Choose a template, add your own images and text, and your website will be ready to go live in no time!
Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe’s bold imagery and powerful statement create an immediate impact. Hover to see more
Visit website at: danyelirodriguezdelorbe.com
Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe’s website immediately grabs attention with its striking visuals and powerful language. The homepage opens with a captivating portrait of Danyeli and a bold, unapologetic statement: “I am an anthology of all the Dominican women they warned you about.” This statement instantly sets the tone, giving visitors insight into her identity as a spoken word artist and cultural activist.
What makes this site especially effective for authors is its intuitive navigation and strategic use of call-to-action buttons that guide visitors to explore Danyeli’s work, press mentions, and biography. I particularly like how the site utilizes Wix’s tools to embed YouTube videos highlighting her performances, providing an immersive experience for fans and new visitors.
Catherynne M. Valente’s intricate design and elegant typography reflect the author’s imaginative works. Hover to see more
Visit website at: https://www.catherynnemvalente.com/
Catherynne M. Valente’s website reflects the imaginative and otherworldly nature of her fantasy and science fiction works. The intricate, floral header background with warm, rich tones evokes the whimsical and mysterious, while the elegant typography adds a touch of sophistication. This combination reflects Valente’s genre and helps create an immersive experience for her readers, encouraging them to explore further.
I also like how the site uses Wix’s carousel feature to showcase book covers. Additionally, the site cleverly integrates calls-to-action like an email sign-up form, podcast appearances, and social media links, making it easy for fans to stay engaged. What’s more, the tip jar button at the bottom of the page is a great way to get support from devoted fans.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure whether your author website has the professional, polished look you’re striving for or if you simply lack the time to design it yourself, consider hiring a skilled web designer.
Platforms like Fiverr can connect you with talented designers who can create an eye-catching, professional website for just $5. Investing in a well-designed site can effectively showcase your unique brand and writing, helping you attract more readers and stand out in a competitive space.
I.A. Thompson’s website uses a minimalist design with an advanced lead-capturing form. Hover to see more
Visit website at: https://www.iathompsonbooks.com
I.A. Thompson’s website exemplifies a minimalist yet effective approach to author branding. The homepage is sleek and straightforward, focusing on a clean, visually appealing contact form. This form is a smart lead-capturing strategy that goes beyond the basics. It includes fields like marketing permissions and birthday details, making it clear that the author values a deeper connection with readers.
I like the dedicated “Latest Book” page, which offers visitors a clear path to discover and purchase the author’s newest release. The page includes an Amazon link for immediate purchase and additional links to the author’s previous works.
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Ian Welland uses an online bookstore and a blog page to engage readers while showcasing books
Visit website at: https://www.ianwelland.co.uk/
Ian Welland’s two-page website utilizes Wix’s powerful e-commerce capabilities to seamlessly integrate a bookshop directly on its homepage. The minimalistic design allows his books to take center stage, with a carousel feature showcasing his previous works in a visually appealing way. For authors looking to create an online storefront, this approach demonstrates how to prioritize book sales without overwhelming visitors with too many elements.
Beyond its e-commerce functionality, Ian Welland’s inclusion of a dedicated blog page is an excellent strategy for authors aiming to build their personal brand and engage with readers. You can effectively keep your audience invested in your writing journey by sharing updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes content.
Alan Allinger’s thoughtfully organized blog content and prominent book reviews highlight the author’s work and drive sales
Visit website at: https://www.alanallinger.comAlan Allinger’s website uses a streamlined two-page structure to draw the visitor’s attention directly to his books and writing. The homepage serves as a powerful sales tool, featuring prominent reviews and easy-to-spot Amazon links for purchasing his novels Captured Within Waking Moments and Walking with Mom: Our Unspoken Conversations.
My favorite part of this website is its Blog page, a great example of efficient content organization. Each post is neatly laid out with essential details such as publication dates, estimated reading times, and even engagement metrics like views and comments. This thoughtful design showcases Alan’s work and engages visitors by making it easy to dive into his writing.
Taylor Tyng uses a whimsical, fantastical design paired with a pop-up for email sign-ups
Visit website at: https://www.taylortyng.com/Taylor Tyng’s website uses Wix’s pop-up notification tool to invite readers to subscribe to the author’s email list – a clever way to engage readers and grow a dedicated fanbase. Beyond this, the homepage doesn’t try to do much. However, it does display the author’s name in a bold, handwritten font. Plus, it uses a whimsical and imaginative design that aligns perfectly with the author’s theme of fantastical fiction, thus creating a sense of wonder and storytelling magic.
The inclusion of a “News” page is a brilliant idea, as it keeps readers updated on the author’s latest milestones. Taylor Tyng leverages this section to share everything from book cover reveals to award wins and community projects. It’s an excellent strategy for authors looking to establish an active connection with their audience.
The site uses high-resolution images and a visually immersive layout to showcase the author’s latest illustrated works
Visit website at: https://mairakalman.com/
Maira Kalman’s hero message, “dear all, I am very happy to share my new book,” is direct yet welcoming, accompanied by visuals of the book’s pages, drawing immediate attention to her latest work. The use of high-resolution images of her illustrations creates an immersive experience that keeps the focus on her content, perfect for authors and creatives who want to showcase their latest projects.
The site is intuitively organized, with clear navigation tabs for Exhibitions, Journalism, Films, and more. Each page maintains a cohesive design, allowing Kalman’s vibrant artwork to shine. If you’re an author considering building your own site, this is a great example of how to blend personal branding with functionality.
Anuschka Rees’ cross-platform integration makes it easy for readers to connect on social media
Visit website at: https://anuschkarees.com/
Anuschka Rees’ author website opens with a striking hero message that not only highlights their latest and upcoming books but also seamlessly integrates a call-to-action linking directly to her Instagram. This cross-promotion encourages visitors to connect on social media, fostering a sense of community and keeping readers engaged beyond the site.
The dedicated “Books” page is a standout feature. It showcases the author’s publications with high-quality book covers, descriptions, and direct purchase links to platforms like Amazon, Google Books, and iBooks. This streamlined approach makes it easy for visitors to buy her books without leaving the site.
The site’s nature-inspired illustrations align with the author’s environmental themes
Visit website at: https://michellenijhuis.com/
Michelle Nijhuis’s author website stands out for its intentional use of nature-inspired design elements, aligning seamlessly with the author’s focus on environmental themes. The homepage features vibrant, detailed illustrations of wildlife, instantly connecting visitors to the author’s core subjects of conservation and global change.
The website also offers a well-organized, intuitive navigation experience. For instance, the homepage highlights Nijhuis’s latest book, Beloved Beasts, with a dedicated section that includes a captivating book review from the Chicago Tribune and a clear call-to-action button encouraging readers to learn more. Additionally, the Recent Articles & Media sections neatly compile her published works, making it easy for visitors to explore her portfolio.
R.L. Maco uses clean design and interactive elements like scrolling text to emphasize the author’s insights on focus and wisdom
Visit website at: https://www.yearntodiscern.com/R.L. Maco’s website reflects professionalism and clarity and makes excellent use of interactive elements like scrolling text and parallax scrolling. The layout is clean and organized, using ample white space to highlight key content and several CTA buttons that promote the author’s books, podcast, and blog.
I really like the subtle emphasis on words like “Focus,” “Direction,” and “Wisdom” around the homepage, as it reinforces the author’s message of insight and intentionality in life and business. I also like the chosen color scheme – dominated by soft grays and golden yellows – as it evokes warmth, purpose, and insight, which complements the author’s message.
Other Notable Author Website Examples
11. Isa Leshko (Made With Squarespace)
Isa Leshko combines thought-provoking imagery of aging animals with clear purchase CTAs
Visit website at: https://www.isaleshko.com/
Isa Leshko’s website features an image slideshow of elderly animals, aligning with the author’s mission to raise awareness of animal rights and the dignity of aging animals. As readers scroll down the page, they’ll see clear call-to-action buttons, such as links to purchase her book, subscribe to her newsletter, or connect on social media.
12. Hughes Suffren (Made With Squarespace)
This site’s downloadable quizzes and social proof from speaking engagements enhance the author’s credibility
Visit website at: https://www.hughessuffren.com/Hughes Suffren’s website uses a “Download Your Free Quiz” section to offer valuable content upfront – a great strategy for authors looking to build their email lists. Other features that impressed me include showcasing credible partnerships and previous speaking engagements with notable institutions, which add social proof and enhance the author’s authority.
13. Nanya Sudhir (Made With Hostinger)
Nanya Sudhir’s dedicated Notes page allows visitors to dive into the author’s creative musings
Visit website at: https://nanyasudhir.com/
Nanya Sudhir’s homepage introduces Nanya with a black-and-white portrait that adds a timeless, classic vibe, enhancing her brand’s authenticity and poetic persona. Meanwhile, social media icons are subtly integrated at the bottom, encouraging organic engagement without distracting from the primary content. But my favorite aspect of this site is the Notes page, which offers visitors insights into Nanya’s thoughts, musings, and creative process.
14. LJ Ross (Made With WordPress.com)
LJ Ross uses interactive hover effects to guide readers through the author’s diverse series and encourage purchases
Visit website at: https://ljrossauthor.com/
LJ Ross’s author website uses visually distinctive illustrations to represent her different book series, from the gripping “DCI Ryan Mysteries” to the upcoming “Ryan: The Met Years.” Hovering over the illustrated book covers leads readers to dedicated pages for each title, providing clear CTAs like “Buy Print,” “Buy e-book,” or “Join the Book Club.” This approach creates an engaging journey for visitors and drives conversions.
The Best Website Builders for Authors
Using a website builder is the perfect solution for authors who want an impressive online presence without the hassle of coding or technical know-how. These platforms are designed for ease of use, offering drag-and-drop interfaces, polished templates, and built-in features like email sign-ups, event calendars, and customizable contact forms – all essential for growing your readership and promoting your work.
The author websites showcased earlier were all created using the following builders, proving that even beginners can achieve stunning, functional sites with minimal effort. With the right builder, you can focus more on your writing while crafting a space that engages readers and enhances your online visibility.
Wix provides an intuitive drag-and-drop editor for designing a website that reflects your unique voice. With over 900 customizable templates, including options tailored for writers and bloggers, you can create a professional online presence without any coding knowledge. The platform’s flexibility lets you arrange elements precisely, ensuring your site aligns with your brand.
Beyond aesthetics, Wix offers features beneficial to authors. For instance, you can seamlessly integrate blogs to share updates, add image galleries to display book covers, and utilize contact forms to connect with readers. I also found the Wix App Market to provide additional functionalities like email marketing and event management, which can be useful for your book launches or signings.
Squarespace offers beautifully designed templates for authors who want to present their work in a polished, professional way. Its drag-and-drop editor lets you easily customize fonts, layouts, and colors, ensuring your website reflects your unique voice. Plus, with built-in blogging tools and SEO capabilities, you can seamlessly publish chapters, teasers, or updates to your readers, helping your content get noticed.
One of my favorite Squarespace features is the ability to add a fully integrated storefront if you want to sell your books directly. It’s as easy as embedding links or setting up a shop page so you can showcase your writing while driving sales.
While Hostinger offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that gives you enough flexibility to design your site appropriately, I like that it provides AI-driven tools that can do the job for you. For instance, the AI Writer can help you generate copy for your site, saving you hours you could spend writing your next book.
Another thing I like about Hostinger is that it offers an affordable solution for authors who want to establish a professional online presence. For just $2.49 per month, it provides a free custom domain, 100 email accounts, 24/7 customer support, and marketing integrations like Google Analytics.
Creating an Author Website That Resonates With Readers
Drawing from the examples above, you can design an engaging author website that truly connects with your audience. Use clear navigation, high-quality visuals, and strategic call-to-action buttons to guide visitors toward exploring your work. If you’re unsure where to start, I highly recommend trying Wix. It’s versatile, straightforward to customize, and has all the essential tools for building a memorable author brand.
To maximize impact, keep your design clean and prioritize content that highlights your books and personal stories. Embedding multimedia, like videos or podcasts, can create a richer experience, while elements like email sign-ups can help build a loyal reader base.
FAQ
Which website builder is best for authors?
Wix is the best option for authors because it offers flexibility, ease of use, and powerful features like email marketing and built-in SEO tools. It allows you to showcase your books and effortlessly engage with readers.
How do I make a good author website?
Focus on clean design, easy navigation, and clear calls-to-action. Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your work. Include an email sign-up to build your reader community. Use a top website builder like Squarespace to streamline the entire website creation process.
Is Wix good for an author website?
Yes, Wix is great for author websites. It’s easy to use, offers customizable templates, and includes features like blogging and e-commerce tools to help authors promote their work and build a following.
What are author websites?
Author websites are dedicated online spaces where writers showcase their books, share updates, and connect with readers. They serve as central hubs for promoting work and events and engaging audiences. Check out these top-rated website builders if you’re considering building a website for your brand.
Kamso specializes in writing about credit card processing and fintech. He has been writing for over three years and has worked on several comparisons, product reviews, and news stories. He has a degree in mechanical engineering and has a strong fondness for anything tech-related.
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