Please Give Me Feedback on my Website!
Hi everybody! I’m considering a re-do of my website–perhaps small, perhaps large–as it gets closer to the release of Necessary Lies. I love my site, but I want it to focus more on that book in particular, plus the pic of me on the home page is three years old, so it’s time for an update. I welcome your thoughts. What shall I let go? What shall I keep? What is missing from the site that you’d like to see or that would be helpful to you? Thanks so much for your input!
Here’s the link to take you directly to the home page.
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Gina
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Feb 15, 2013 05:25AM
Would love to see your book discussions on your website. It gives your fans a chance to discuss together online.
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Thanks, Gina. I'd tried that in the past, but it never took off. If you know some websites where this is done effectively, I'd love to see them.
Hi Diane,First let me start by saying – you are one of my favorite authors, very talented writer, and every book I have read is as good as the previous one – each unique and different (assume everyone sees my comments on Goodreads, B&N, Pinterest, and Amazon!)
As far as your website, I am a little more critical than most as I work with hotel owners in developing websites, write copy and design, handle online media buying, website analytics, SEO/SEM, and social media. I have also consulted with a few authors, as well.
Since you are revamping, assuming you are attaining a good CMS system (either Cloud, WordPress, or proprietary) which allows for edits, and pages to be added easily. I would like to see overall lighter colors in the blue family similar to your new book cover coming out this fall with cutting edge fonts, style, social and mobile integration, and usage of high resolution imagery. (focused on your covers).
I feel the current website is too dark, and of course, outdated as you mentioned. Since a number of your books are set on the eastern coast, think the blue and white tones would be a softer look and feel. As you know people buy books based on covers ---your newer books of course are appealing drawing in the potential reader.
A few other things: I would like to see under BOOKS – A list by series and date, and in a PDF printable format (my mom and older readers love to carry this list with them) to read in order of series. Also for the newer books and ones you are re-releasing in e-book format think they need some attention as well with their own page and savvy new covers. (I am Nook e-reader) as well as audio.
With some of the newer CMS (content management systems) I work with, which sure you are aware - allows you to add pages easily with its own URL landing page. When you open up books and click on thumbnail, I could envision a new page for each book with graphics and feeling of the environment of that specific individual book setting, with an overview and of course where to purchase, date, comments, etc. from the author. This would draw in the reader as more of an emotional buy.
There are a few things I like about these two authors’ websites (hope it is ok to say these names here). Nicholas Sparks and Charles Martin, which are also my favorites so using these examples.
(Sparks) is a great example of usage of website-- from the softer light blue colors, updated font, CMS, format, means to push out to social media from the blogs, and each book with its own landing page with comments from the author to draw you in to the specific book. (in addition, great for you to track website analytics ) The Discussion page for each book is ideal for book clubs, author’s recommended reads, the NC setting page for each book, biography page, author FAQ, etc.
(Martin) – Not wild about his dark colors; however, like his BLOG (readers) section as have worked with this website designer previously and like their CMS as a way for the author to post comments on blog --readers can actually post online, as I do each time I read his books. RSS feeds, and events should be ongoing for the year so we readers can plan a trip around a city where you may be for a book signing –a way to keep up with the social media world and your fans!
In summary – would love to see your website more representative of the actual quality of your books as they are ALL “first class!” I look forward to the new face lift and your new upcoming books (as I pre-order on B&N Nook) ---as always – a loyal fan! Judy C. West Palm Beach, FL
Judy, thanks for these fantastic suggestions! I agree on the lighter tone, and my reason for re-doing the site will be to make it mesh with the September book (Necessary Lies). There IS a printable booklist right now. It's on the Books page in the upper right hand corner. I'd love any suggestion you might have for making it more apparent to the reader that it's there, since you missed it. Thanks again for this great help and the Sparks and Martin sites. Diane
Hi Diane, My bad as you do have the list-my mom missed it so I should have looked closer. Would also like to see a series order, in addition to the books in published date order (see Michael Connelly series list-with a brief explanation about the series), so you get both lists. I have already pre-ordered Necessary Lies from B&N Nook Book – I love the colors, so your look will be fantastic!!!!
Hi Judy, Hope you get this! If you do, could you please contact me at diane@dianechamberlain.com?
Thanks!
