Want an author website without the stress? Here is how I would build one in a weekend with WordPress: domain, hosting, theme, key pages and a mailing list.
Every writer needs a home online. Social media accounts come and go, but an author website is yours. It is where readers find your books, agents check you out, and people join your mailing list.
The good news is that you don't need to be technical or spend a fortune. With a free weekend, a pot of tea and a bit of patience, you can have a simple, professional site live by Sunday evening. Here is the plan I would follow, in seven steps.
Friday Evening: Plan Your Author Website
Step 1: Decide what the site is for
Before you buy anything, write down what you want visitors to do. For most authors it is three things: find out about you, find your books and sign up for news. Everything on the site should help with one of those.
Step 2: Choose your domain name
Your own name is usually the best choice, such as yourname.com or yourname.ie. It works for every book you will ever write. If your name is taken, try adding "author" or "books", and keep it short and easy to spell.
Step 3: Pick a platform and hosting
I use self-hosted WordPress for my own sites. It is free, flexible and you own everything. You will need web hosting to run it. For a first site, a budget shared host is plenty, and many include a free domain for the first year and a one-click WordPress install. I have written about my experience in my Hostinger review.
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Saturday: Build the Site
Step 4: Install WordPress and sort the basics
Use your host's installer, then log in and go to Settings. Set your site title and tagline, your time zone and your permalinks (choose "Post name" for clean links). Delete the sample post and page. Turn on HTTPS if your host hasn't done it already.
Step 5: Choose a clean theme
Pick a fast, simple theme rather than one stuffed with features. Astra and Kadence both have good free versions. Choose two fonts at most, a couple of colours that suit your books, and a clear menu. See my best WordPress themes for authors for more ideas.
Add only the plugins you need: a contact form, an SEO plugin, a backup plugin and a security plugin will do for now.
Sunday: Add Your Pages and Go Live
Step 6: Write the core pages
- Home: who you are, what you write and your latest book, with a clear sign-up button.
- Books: a cover, a short blurb and buy links for each title. Give your main book its own landing page if you can.
- About: a friendly bio and a good photo of you.
- Newsletter: a simple sign-up form from your email service and a reason to join, such as a free short story.
- Contact: a form, plus links to the social accounts you actually use.
- Privacy policy: required if you collect emails.
Compress your images before uploading so the site stays quick.
Step 7: Check, launch and tell people
Click every link, fill in every form and look at the site on your phone. Ask a friend to try it too. Then announce it: tell your newsletter, put the link in your social bios and add it to your email signature. After that, set aside a little time each month for updates and backups.
Final Thoughts on Building an Author Website
An author website doesn't need to be perfect on day one. It needs to be live, clear and yours. Plan on Friday, build on Saturday, fill your pages on Sunday, and you will finish the weekend with a home for your books that you can grow for years.
Once it is up, keep your story notes and characters organised in Story Bible Studio, try a round of collaborative fiction on Chain Story Online, and find more web guides for writers here on Enda Storrie.
Next step: Choosing a host? Read my Hostinger review, then pick a theme with my Astra theme review.
Related reading: Book Landing Page: What to Include to Sell More Copies · How to Build an Email List From Your Website
Enda Storrie is a writer and the creator of Story Bible, the planning journal and app for writers, and Chain Story Online, a free collaborative storytelling platform.
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