Can I Build My Own Author Website?

The short answer is yes—you can build your own author website. The better question is whether you should or can.

Thanks to modern website builders and WordPress, it’s easier than ever to create a website without knowing how to write code. Many authors successfully build their own sites, particularly when they’re just starting out.

The massive caveat is that you need excellent computing skills to build a professional-looking site, or plenty of time to learn (hours and hours and hours!). Despite the claims of many web-building platforms, building a website is a complex, technical task.

This article covers the advantages and disadvantages of doing it yourself, and it’s worth understanding what’s involved before you decide.

 

Why many authors choose to build their own website

For a new author, budget is often a major consideration. Creating your own website can seem like the most affordable option, and there are plenty of platforms offering templates that promise a professional-looking site in just a few hours.

Building your own website also gives you complete control. You can update your biography, add new books, publish blog posts and make changes whenever you like.

If you enjoy learning new skills and have a huge amount of spare time, designing your own website can also be a rewarding project.

The hidden challenges

While building a website has become much easier, creating an effective author website still requires time and attention.

You’ll need to think about:

  • Choosing and registering a domain name
  • Selecting a reliable hosting provider (if using WordPress)
  • Designing pages that are easy to navigate
  • Making the site work well on mobile phones and tablets
  • Optimising images so pages load quickly
  • Keeping WordPress, themes and plugins updated
  • Protecting the website from spam and security threats
  • Backing up your website regularly
  • Understanding basic search engine optimisation (SEO)

Many first-time website owners underestimate how much time these ongoing tasks require.

Remember—your time has value

As an author, your greatest asset is your writing.

Every hour spent trying to solve a technical website problem is an hour you’re not writing your next book, connecting with readers or planning your marketing.

Some authors genuinely enjoy maintaining their own website. Others find it becomes an unwelcome distraction.

There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s about deciding how you want to spend your time.

WordPress or a website builder?

If you’re building the website yourself, you’ll probably choose between WordPress and an all-in-one website builder.

Website builders are often easier to get started with and include hosting as part of the package.

WordPress has a steeper learning curve, but it offers far greater flexibility, thousands of plugins and complete ownership of your website. That’s one reason why WordPress powers a significant proportion of websites across the internet.

If you’d like to understand why so many authors choose WordPress, you might also enjoy reading Why WordPress is Ideal for Authors.

What pages should an author website include?

Whether you build the website yourself or hire a professional, most author websites benefit from including:

  • Home
  • About the Author
  • Books
  • News or Blog
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Newsletter sign-up

You don’t need dozens of pages. A small website that’s clear and easy to use is usually far more effective than a large website that’s difficult to navigate.

Common mistakes when building your own website

Some of the most common problems include:

  • Trying to include too much information on the homepage
  • Using difficult-to-read fonts or colour combinations
  • Forgetting to make the website mobile-friendly
  • Neglecting website security and backups
  • Not including a clear way for readers to join your mailing list
  • Leaving the website unchanged for years

Remember, your website doesn’t need to be perfect on day one. It’s perfectly normal for it to evolve as your writing career develops.

When hiring a professional makes sense

Many authors decide to commission a professional website because they want:

  • A polished, professional design
  • A website tailored to their books and brand
  • Better search visibility
  • Reliable hosting and ongoing support
  • Someone else to deal with technical issues

A professionally designed website can also save many hours of frustration and provide peace of mind that everything is working as it should.

Final thoughts

Yes, you can build your own author website—and many authors do.

If you enjoy learning new skills and have the time, it can be an enjoyable and cost-effective project.

However, if you’d rather focus on writing, working with an experienced web designer can often prove to be a worthwhile investment, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best while knowing your website is in safe hands.

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Need help with your author website?

At Bookwebs, we’ve been designing bespoke WordPress websites for authors and publishers since 2006. Whether you need a completely new website or support with an existing one, we’d be delighted to help.

Visit https://bookwebs.co.uk/ to see examples of our work and discover how we can help create a website that showcases your books, connects with readers and grows with your writing career.

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