Book Website Design

Do you have a website for your book? It is becoming increasingly popular to promote a book with a site devoted just to the book, and for good reason ... it is one of the most cost-effective promotional tools a book can have.

If your book is already available, and you don't have a site, it's never too late to start.

If your book is not yet for sale, at the very least, consider starting a blog page to create interest and generate excitement.

Your book website should have a domain name that readily identifies it with your book. It should be easy to spell and pronounce. You may also want to purchase domains for alternate misspellings and point them to your main website to help people find your site and keep someone else from purchasing and using a similar domain name.

It may take time for search engines to find your site, so getting a head start is important.

A book website should be fairly simple, easy to follow, have keywords related to the topic of the book, and contain information that allows readers as well as the media to learn about the topic of your book so they can reduce the amount of time they need to spend becoming familiar with your topic. The Media/Press page on your book website should contain enough information to thoroughly prepare a radio or television interviewer to speak with you personally without making them wait for the info.

Generally, you want your book website to contain:

• author contact information (email address, phone number)
• image of the book cover
• information about your book and any other books you have written
• reviews, interviews, honors, press releases
• media page with your photo, a short bio, and a printable, downloadable media kit if at all possible
• an excerpt from the book
• one or more ways to purchase or order the book with links to online sources
• any additional information that helps readers feel like they are in touch with the author
• "search engine friendly" information that will help search engines find it more easily
• content not included inside the book that you are offering to book buyers to encourage them to join your mailing list so you can find out who they are and establish an ongoing relationship with your readers

It is not a good idea to have complex navigation, a lot of animation, a lot of copy, or anything that doesn't relate directly to the book. It is also not a good idea to have a very dark background with light type or fancy fonts in a wide variety of sizes. Keep it simple and your readers will thank you.

Some authors also choose to have an opt-in box to collect email addresses in exchange for a book sample, so they can email prospects as the book nears publication and availability.

You may also want to consider having a book video on your book website.

If your book is available in ebook format, you may wish to sell a downloadable version. If your book is not well suited to becoming an ebook, and you wish to sell only a physical version, you can use your book website to direct buyers to links where your book can be purchased.

Some authors prefer a more "marketing-style" website where the information is all on one page (example below).

It is now possible for a book website to be editable in a browser window without the need for additional software. If you would like to be able to update your site yourself, and you are comfortable using a computer, this option may be attractive to you and something you want to consider.