Web Site Wisdom
A lot of what this blog will be about is what has worked for me in terms of writing, publishing and selling novels. Sadly, I don't have the keys to the universe in any of those areas because the universe of publishing has changed radically in the 14 years I've been living in it.
For instance: I've recently completely rebuilt my web site. Is it better? I think so. It's at least what I want it to be. But how do you know what a writer's web site should be?
Interviewing web hosting experts and publicists gave me a lot of contradictory advice. There is a definite voice in the business saying that a good web site is where readers will get everything they want or need to decide to buy your books. They recommend having samples of your books and posting short stories or articles. Character descriptions could attract fans. There should be a media page with author photos, bios of varying lengths, contact information and of course your book covers. Of course you need a list of upcoming events, your favorite links, reviews and blurbs you've received and links to your social media pages.
This voice thinks your web site should also be entertaining, with video, audio features, theme music and special effects. The content should be layered, to hold visitors with plenty of "value added" material, eventually leading them to a way to purchase your books.
But there's another voice, just as loud right now, saying that your web site should be as simple as possible. It's merely a home base for people who Google you to find your titles. This voice portrays the web site as a billboard, contending that you really communicate with the reading community on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
With such opposite philosophies expressed by the experts, how is an author to decide what his web site should look like. Well, you could hire a professional web site designer and turn them loose, but that will only give you what someone else loves.
My suggestion is that you list your ten favorite authors and go look at their web sites. Make note of what you really like on their web sites, and how they're structured. If you see one that really makes you smile, save the URL and tell your web builder to imitate it.
As you can see, I went with the second theory for my new web site - http://www.ascamacho.com/ - keeping it simple and direct. Let me know if I made the right choice, or if there's something you feel I need to add to make it the perfect web site.
For instance: I've recently completely rebuilt my web site. Is it better? I think so. It's at least what I want it to be. But how do you know what a writer's web site should be?
Interviewing web hosting experts and publicists gave me a lot of contradictory advice. There is a definite voice in the business saying that a good web site is where readers will get everything they want or need to decide to buy your books. They recommend having samples of your books and posting short stories or articles. Character descriptions could attract fans. There should be a media page with author photos, bios of varying lengths, contact information and of course your book covers. Of course you need a list of upcoming events, your favorite links, reviews and blurbs you've received and links to your social media pages.
This voice thinks your web site should also be entertaining, with video, audio features, theme music and special effects. The content should be layered, to hold visitors with plenty of "value added" material, eventually leading them to a way to purchase your books.
But there's another voice, just as loud right now, saying that your web site should be as simple as possible. It's merely a home base for people who Google you to find your titles. This voice portrays the web site as a billboard, contending that you really communicate with the reading community on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
With such opposite philosophies expressed by the experts, how is an author to decide what his web site should look like. Well, you could hire a professional web site designer and turn them loose, but that will only give you what someone else loves.
My suggestion is that you list your ten favorite authors and go look at their web sites. Make note of what you really like on their web sites, and how they're structured. If you see one that really makes you smile, save the URL and tell your web builder to imitate it.
As you can see, I went with the second theory for my new web site - http://www.ascamacho.com/ - keeping it simple and direct. Let me know if I made the right choice, or if there's something you feel I need to add to make it the perfect web site.
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