Author Website Features: Everything You Need to Include

Quick Summary: What Does Every Author Website Need?

Here’s your at-a-glance feature list.

• Home page — showcase your author name and key books.
• Author bio — your story, credentials, and headshot.
• Book pages — one page per title with cover, blurb, reviews, and purchase links.
• Multiple purchase links — direct to Amazon, Bookshop, Kobo, Apple Books etc.
• Book cover images — professional, high-resolution covers.
• Events page — speaking events, launches, and appearances.
• Media kit — downloadable press materials.
• Testimonials — praise, reviews, and blurbs.
• Blog — behind-the-scenes updates or publishing journey.
• Newsletter signup — build your mailing list.
• Social media links — Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads and more.
• Contact page — simple form or email access.
• SEO optimisation — rank on Google & increase discoverability.
• Mobile-friendly design — clean experience on all devices.
• SSL certificate — secure your readers’ data.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already got a good idea about what pages and features an author website might have, like a home page, a bio, and pages for your books. But what exactly goes into creating a great home, about, and book pages? And are there any other pages and features of an author website you might not have thought you needed?

Whether you’re a fiction or non-fiction, children’s or YA author, this article aims to provide a handy resource to better understand author websites. Even if you’ve got a good idea of what pages you need, you might find a helpful tip here or there to help you make more informed decisions when shopping for a new website or when speaking with your web designer.

Let’s break down the most important author website features that every writer should consider.

Why These Author Website Features Matter

Whether you’re launching your first book or managing a backlist of titles, these pages help you:

• Build an online presence
• Connect with your audience
• Support book sales
• Build long-term search engine visibility

Build an Online Presence

Your website is your home base. It gives readers, publishers, and media a place to learn about you and your work. Unlike social media, you fully control the design, messaging, and information — all in one professional place you own.

Connect with Your Audience

A website helps turn casual browsers into loyal readers. Whether it’s your bio, behind-the-scenes blog posts, or your email list, your site allows you to build a direct, lasting relationship with your audience.

Support Book Sales

Your website puts your books front and centre. With purchase links, excerpts, reviews, and media coverage, you create a clear, easy path for readers to buy your work wherever they prefer to shop.

Build Long-Term Search Engine Visibility

Google rewards websites that are live, consistent, and relevant. By building your site early — and keeping it updated — you’re steadily improving your chances of being found when readers search for your name or books down the track.

Home Page Features for Author Websites

Your front door. Keep it focused:

• Clear author name
• Headshot or book cover
• Tagline or genre cue (“Award-winning Romance Author”)
• Latest release featured prominently
• Quick newsletter signup

Deeper dive: 10 Things every author should have on their home page

Your home page is the most important. It’s likely the first page appearing on Google when searching for your name or books, and it’s the page most people will share on social media. Your home page will, therefore, most likely be your most visited.

However, this doesn’t mean you should be cramming your home page with content. The first impression is important but fleeting. If you show too much, you risk losing the visitor’s attention. If you’re afraid that visitors won’t find the rest of the content on your website, a consistent and concise navigational menu will do the job. Your home page, on the other hand, should have one clear focus to capture what you think your visitors are looking for. One recurring question authors are often faced with when they decide to get a new website is:

Should I be promoting myself or my book?

There’s no right or wrong answer, but the process of coming up with one will help you focus your home page and the rest of your website. It’ll help you decide whether your author photo or your book/s should feature more prominently. It’ll also help you decide what you want visitors to do on your website. Do you want them to buy your book, read your blog, or to book you for a speaking event?

Visitors will often be scanning quickly on a mobile device. Keep your Home page clear, visual, and focused — with your book cover or photo, tagline, and a single clear next action.

Your Home page is the central feature of your author website. It’s where most visitors land, and it’s often what Google ranks first when people search for your name. And Home pages should also include buttons linking to your social media. Some authors also include recent blog posts or updates on the homepage to keep it fresh.

Include a simple, prominent email signup box — often paired with a short incentive or lead magnet — to start building your audience from day one.

About Page: Tell Your Story

Tell your story:

• Third-person professional bio (100–300 words)
• Headshot
• Awards & media mentions
• Speaking or teaching experience

Every author website needs an About page — it’s one of the most visited features on your site. Readers want to know the person behind the books, and this page helps them connect with you.

Your About page isn’t just a biography — it’s part of your author brand. Keep your tone aligned with your writing style, whether that’s serious, playful, or somewhere in between.

For inspiration, here are a few client About pages we’ve built:

Book Page: Showcase Your Books and Sell

Each book should have:

• Cover image
• Short blurb (25–100 words)
• Long description (200–300 words)
• Purchase links (Amazon, Kobo, Bookshop etc.)
• Reviews, blurbs, testimonials
• Downloadable extras (e.g. book club guide)

Every book you publish should have its own dedicated page. This isn’t just about organisation — it’s one of the most effective ways to promote each title, improve search engine visibility, and make your site more useful for both new and returning readers.

At the top of your book page, feature a large, high-quality cover image. This is often the first visual cue visitors will see, so it’s worth making sure your cover art is displayed cleanly and professionally. Alongside your cover, include a short blurb (25–100 words) — just enough to give visitors an immediate sense of your book’s tone, genre, and hook.

Below the blurb, offer a longer description (200–300 words) — this can usually be adapted from your back cover copy or your online retailer listing. This section gives visitors more depth and context, especially for those who may be discovering your work for the first time.

Every book page should also include purchase links to your major retailers: Amazon, Booktopia, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and any others you’re distributing through. Make it easy for readers to buy in whichever format they prefer.

If you’ve received awards, blurbs, or strong reviews, include them here as social proof. A few select quotes from notable reviewers, publications, or author endorsements can go a long way toward building trust with potential readers.

Finally, consider offering downloadable extras. For fiction authors, that might be book club discussion guides or sample chapters. For children’s authors, it might be printable activities or teacher resources. These extras add value — and can also help grow your email list if offered in exchange for newsletter signups.

This book page example is taken from one of the many author website designs available for purchase in my collection. Want this design? Feel free to get in touch and make it your own.

Blog or News Page: Keep Content Fresh

Great for SEO + reader connection:

• Behind-the-scenes writing process
• Launch announcements
• Writing tips or reflections

Deeper dive: Blogging for Authors: 7 Proven Ways to Start & What to Write About

Adding a blog or news page to your author website gives you one of the best tools to engage readers and build long-term search visibility. Fresh content keeps your site active in Google’s eyes, while also giving readers more reasons to stay connected between book releases.

One of the easiest ways to start is by sharing behind-the-scenes insights into your writing process. Readers love seeing how books come together — whether it’s your research process, character development, or thoughts on world-building. Even short, informal posts can give fans a greater connection to your work.

Your blog is also the perfect place for launch announcements and book updates. Rather than relying solely on social media posts that get buried, a dedicated blog post allows you to share details about your release schedule, signing events, awards, or media appearances — and keeps that information easily accessible on your own platform.

You can also use your blog to post writing tips, reflections, or personal essays. These might appeal to fellow writers or readers who enjoy learning about your creative philosophy. This kind of content often attracts organic search traffic as well, since people frequently search for advice on writing and publishing.

Finally, a regularly updated blog shows that your website is active and maintained, which is something both visitors and search engines notice. It’s one of the simplest, most flexible features to help build your platform over time.

Events Page: Promote Appearances

Keep readers updated:

• Upcoming appearances
• Conferences, festivals, launches, podcasts
• Link to ticket sales or registration

An Events page gives your readers a simple way to keep track of where they can see you in person (or online). As your calendar fills up with conferences, festivals, book launches, podcast interviews, school visits, or speaking engagements, your Events page becomes a central hub for readers, media, and event organisers alike.

Unlike a blog or news feed, events are typically organised by event date rather than post date. This makes it easy for visitors to see what’s coming up next at a glance, rather than scrolling through unrelated updates. Each event listing can include the event name, date, location, time, and a direct link to ticket sales or registration pages where applicable.

Even if your events aren’t open to the public, having them listed on your site signals activity and relevance to both your readers and to search engines. It shows that your career is active and ongoing, which can boost your professional appearance to publishers, agents, or media outlets visiting your site.

For authors who regularly tour, teach, or speak at events, a well-maintained Events page helps reduce inbox clutter by answering common questions about where and when you’ll be appearing next.

Media Kit

Make it easy for media, reviewers, and event organisers to feature you professionally.

• High-res author photos
• Downloadable book covers
• Bio variations (short/long)
• Press-ready assets

A Media Kit page gives journalists, bloggers, podcasters, booksellers, festival organisers, and interviewers everything they need in one place — saving everyone time, including you.

At a minimum, your media kit should include:

• High-resolution author photos in both portrait and landscape orientation.
• Downloadable book covers at print and web resolution.
• Multiple versions of your author bio — e.g. a 50-word version for quick listings, a 150-word version for introductions, and a longer full-length version for feature articles.
• Press-ready assets such as speaking topics, awards, event posters, or prior media mentions.

Having these resources easily available signals professionalism and makes it far more likely you’ll be featured accurately and widely. Many festivals and media outlets actively prefer authors who make this process simple — and sometimes your name will be passed around behind the scenes based purely on how “ready-to-go” your assets are.

Even if you’re not doing press yet, preparing a media kit early saves you scrambling later when an opportunity does arise.

Testimonials

Build trust and credibility with powerful third-party proof — right where readers are already deciding.

• Endorsements
• Professional blurbs
• Media quotes

Testimonials, reviews, and media quotes are one of the most effective ways to build trust with potential readers — but they work best when integrated directly into your book pages.

Rather than sending visitors off to a separate Reviews or Testimonials page (which most won’t bother to click into), it’s more effective to place endorsements right alongside your book cover, blurb, and purchase links. This keeps the decision-making friction low and presents the most persuasive information at the exact moment readers are considering a purchase.

Include:

• Professional blurbs from authors, critics, or influencers in your genre.
• Media quotes pulled from trade publications, interviews, or major outlets.
• Reader endorsements or award recognitions where relevant.

Keep the testimonials brief, punchy, and highly relevant to your audience. A handful of strong endorsements placed in context is far more powerful than a long list buried on a separate page.

Mailing List & Newsletter Sign-Ups

Your most valuable audience lives in your inbox — not the algorithm.

• Book launches
• Exclusive content
• Pre-order campaigns

Deeper dive: Why email is the #1 promotional tool for authors

A mailing list remains one of the most powerful assets an author can build. Unlike social media followers, your email list is something you own — and it gives you a direct, reliable way to reach your audience whenever you have something important to share.

A simple signup form should be included throughout your site: on your homepage, in your footer, and especially on your book pages. Most forms ask for a first name and email address, and many authors offer a small incentive for subscribing — a free short story, sample chapter, or exclusive bonus content.

Once a visitor signs up, their details feed into your chosen email marketing platform (like MailChimp, MailerLite, or ConvertKit). From there, you can:

• Announce book launches and pre-orders.
• Offer exclusive content or behind-the-scenes updates.
• Send personal newsletters to nurture long-term reader relationships.

If you’re new to email marketing, I’ve written extensively about how authors can start and grow their list. You’ll find practical guides here:

• Why email is the #1 promotional tool for authors
• 3 Simple steps to setting up your email list to build your audience
• Gain subscribers to your mailing list using free downloads
• How to email your list subscribers, what to send them, and how to stop them from unsubscribing
• 7 ways to ensure your email subscribers read your blog posts
• Related: How to use a blog tour, social media, and an email newsletter to launch a YA novel

The earlier you start building your email list, the stronger your book launches — and your career — will be.

Contact Page: Make it Easy to Connect

Make it easy for readers, media, and opportunities to reach you.

• Simple form for fan questions or media inquiries
• Direct email for agent/media if applicable
• Spam filter + SSL for security

A well-designed contact page ensures the right people can reach you — without exposing your personal email address to spam or unwanted messages.

At minimum, your contact page should include a simple form where readers, journalists, or event organisers can submit a message. A standard form typically collects name, email address, and a message field. This keeps communication easy while protecting your privacy.

For traditionally published authors, it’s also helpful to list direct contact details for your agent, publisher, or publicist (where applicable). This allows media outlets or event organisers to reach your professional team directly for rights, interviews, or speaking engagements.

Behind the scenes, your contact form should always include:

• SSL encryption to protect any data submitted.
• A spam filter (such as Google reCAPTCHA or an anti-spam plugin) to minimise junk submissions.

You don’t need to overcomplicate it — the goal is simple, safe, and functional.

Technical Features Every Author Website Should Include

Behind the scenes: the technical setup that keeps your author website running smoothly, securely, and ready for growth.

• Domain + hosting (we recommend owning your domain early)
• Daily backups
• SSL security
• SEO meta titles/descriptions (we handle)
• Mobile responsive design

So far we’ve covered all the essential ‘customer-facing’ aspects of an author website. However, there are a few essential features of every author website which keep things running in the background.

So far, we’ve focused on the pages your readers see — but every author website also needs a solid technical foundation. These behind-the-scenes features don’t just keep your website functional; they directly impact security, search visibility, user experience, and long-term peace of mind.

Domain Name: Secure Your Name Early

Your domain name (or website address) is the foundation of your online presence. For most authors, your personal name makes the best long-term choice: yourname.com, yournameauthor.com, or a close variation.

Even if you’re not ready to build a site yet, secure your domain as early as possible. Domain names are inexpensive and protect your online identity for future use. You can register your domain through any trusted registrar (Crazy Domains, GoDaddy, etc.).

Related reading: 5 Reasons why authors should buy a domain name

Hosting: Where Your Website Lives

Hosting is where all your website data — text, images, files — is stored. Every website needs both a domain and hosting, but they’re separate services. We handle hosting for most of our clients as part of our Website Essentials package, so you don’t need to manage server settings or deal with confusing technical terms.

If you’re sourcing your own hosting, make sure it includes strong uptime guarantees, automated backups, and security protections.

Backups: Your Safety Net

Backups ensure that if something ever goes wrong — hacking, broken plugins, accidental deletion — your site can be quickly restored to a working version. Backups should happen automatically and be stored securely offsite. We include daily backups on all client sites, so nothing gets lost.

SSL Security: Trust and Google Rankings

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encrypts data on your website, protecting visitors when they fill out forms, subscribe, or make purchases. Today, SSL isn’t optional — Google strongly favours secure sites in its search rankings, and browsers warn visitors when a site doesn’t have SSL. We include SSL as standard.

Spam Filtering: Keep the Inbox Clean

If you allow contact form submissions or blog comments, you’ll need strong spam filtering in place. Filters like Google reCAPTCHA prevent bots and spam messages from overwhelming your inbox. We handle this setup for clients automatically.

Analytics: Track Your Growth

Even basic analytics give valuable insight into who’s visiting your site, how they’re finding you, and what pages they view. We install Google Analytics on client websites as part of setup, giving you visibility over traffic trends and helping us refine your SEO performance.

SEO Meta Titles & Descriptions: We Handle This for You

Search engines rely heavily on meta titles and meta descriptions to understand and rank your website. We write and optimise these elements for every page we build, using strategic keywords that give your site the best chance of being discovered by readers.

Fully Mobile Responsive

Every author site we create is fully responsive — meaning it looks great on desktops, tablets, and phones automatically. This ensures a professional experience for your readers no matter how they visit your site.

By including these author website features, your site will be ready to grow with your career.

Wrapping Up: Build an Author Website That Works

Bonus: How We Build This at Jin & Co.

At Jin & Co., this is exactly what we do. Every author website we build sits on our own custom-built WordPress framework, designed specifically for writers. You don’t need to worry about plugins, security, backups, or technical setup — we handle all of it, with every feature in this article built right in from day one.

Check out some of our available collection designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need every feature?

No. Start with the essentials: homepage, book pages, about, and contact. Features like events, media kits, or advanced SEO can be added later as your needs grow.

What if I don’t blog?

Blogging isn’t required, but it does help keep your site active and improve Google rankings. Even a few updates per year can make a difference.

Should I sell books directly?

Direct sales are optional. Many authors simply link to Amazon, Bookshop, or other retailers — but adding a store can help capture higher margins and build your email list.

Do I need a mailing list?

Yes — even a small list is valuable. Email lets you stay in touch with readers, promote new books, and control your own audience outside of social media.

When should I get my website built?

As early as possible. Even unpublished authors benefit from securing their domain name, building SEO history, and having a professional presence for agents, media, and publishers.

What if I’m not tech-savvy?

That’s exactly why we offer our done-for-you author website packages — no technical setup, maintenance, or hosting worries. You focus on writing, we handle the website.