Author Website Design
Author website design by a freelancer to make it easy for visitors to understand why you”’re not just an author, you”’re a thought leader.
From 100+ reviews
All of your author website needs
Design that supports book sales, email growth, and reader engagement.
Build
Get up and running so you can grow your business.
Grow
Add functionality, increase site speed, build more content.
Maintain
Update WordPress, plugins, and servers every month.
Why authors need a professional website
Social media profiles come and go, algorithms change overnight, and you never truly own your audience on someone else”’s platform. A professional author website is the one place online that belongs entirely to you — a home base where readers, publishers, agents, and event organizers can always find you.
Here”’s what a dedicated website does that social media alone cannot:
Own your audience
Build an email list you control. Unlike social followers, your subscriber list travels with you no matter what platform changes occur. A website with a newsletter signup is the foundation of direct reader relationships.
Sell books directly
Link to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org — or sell signed copies and special editions directly through your site with Shopify or WooCommerce, keeping a larger share of every sale.
Get discovered through SEO
When someone searches for topics you write about, your website should appear. With proper search engine optimization, your site becomes a discoverability engine that works around the clock.
Look professional to publishers and media
Agents, publishers, journalists, and podcast hosts will Google you. A polished website with a media kit, professional headshots, and a clear bio signals that you take your career seriously.
Build a brand beyond books
If you speak at events, teach workshops, consult, or run a podcast, your website ties every part of your career together under one roof. It”’s the difference between being an author and being a brand.
Control your narrative
On your own site, you decide what visitors see first, which books are featured, and how your story is told. No algorithm decides your reach — your web design does.
Build Your Reputation
Show visitors that you’re more than just an author.
Blog
Book info
Service pages
Contact info
Convert Visitors
Grow an audience with a custom website.
Sell more books
Build an email list
Get speaking gigs
Be seen as an expert
Author Website Design
Sell more books with tailored design.
Press / media kit
Events calendar
Social links
Author SEO
Get found easily.
Technical SEO
Keyword research
Amazon integration
What makes a great author website
After building websites for authors across genres — from debut novelists to bestselling nonfiction writers — I’ve seen what separates a forgettable site from one that actively grows a career. Every great author website includes these core elements:
Bibliography and book pages
Each book deserves its own page with a cover image, description, reviews, purchase links, and reading group guides if applicable. Think of these as individual landing pages — they should rank in search results and give a reader everything they need to decide to buy. I build these as a custom post type in WordPress so you can add new titles yourself without touching code.
Newsletter signup
Your email list is your most valuable marketing asset. I integrate platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Substack directly into your site — with strategically placed signup forms, pop-ups, and lead magnets (like a free chapter or short story) that actually convert. A well-placed signup form on an author site typically converts 2-5% of visitors into subscribers.
Author blog
A blog isn’t just for sharing updates — it’s your primary SEO engine. Writing about your genre, your creative process, book recommendations, or topics related to your nonfiction expertise brings organic search traffic to your site every day. I set up blogs with proper categories, tags, schema markup, and social sharing so every post works harder for you.
Events and speaking page
If you do book signings, readings, panels, or keynote speaking, your website needs a clear events page. I can integrate booking calendars, embed event registration from services like Eventbrite, and build a speaking page with topics, fees, and a booking inquiry form that makes it easy for organizers to reach you.
Media kit and press page
Journalists, podcast hosts, and event organizers need your bio, headshots, book covers, and press releases in one place. A downloadable media kit saves everyone time and makes you look prepared and professional. I design these as both a web page and a downloadable PDF.
Contact and representation
Whether readers should contact you directly or go through your agent or publicist, your site needs to make that clear. I build contact pages with smart forms that route inquiries to the right person — media requests to your publicist, rights inquiries to your agent, and reader fan mail to your inbox.
Services for authors
I offer a full range of web services tailored to authors. Whether you need a brand-new site or want to improve an existing one, here’s how I can help.
Web Design
Custom, conversion-focused design that reflects your voice and brand. I create layouts that guide readers from curiosity to action — whether that’s buying a book, signing up for your newsletter, or booking you for an event.
WordPress Development
WordPress powers the majority of author websites for good reason — it’s flexible, SEO-friendly, and you can update it yourself. I build custom themes and set up the block editor so managing your site feels intuitive, not intimidating.
Search Engine Optimization
I make sure your site ranks for your name, your book titles, and the topics you write about. From technical SEO and site speed to keyword strategy and content optimization — I handle the entire picture.
Shopify Development
Want to sell signed copies, merchandise, or special editions directly to readers? I build Shopify stores that integrate with your author brand and give you full control over pricing, inventory, and fulfillment.
Squarespace Development
If you prefer a simpler, all-in-one platform that’s easy to manage yourself, Squarespace is an excellent choice for authors. I design and customize Squarespace sites that look polished without the overhead of managing hosting and plugins.
WooCommerce Development
For authors who want ecommerce built directly into their WordPress site, WooCommerce lets you sell books, courses, and digital downloads without a separate storefront. I handle setup, payment gateways, and product pages.
Author website features I build
Beyond the basics, these are the features that separate a good author website from one that truly works for your career. I’ve implemented all of these for authors I work with.
Newsletter integration
Deep integration with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Substack, or any email platform. Signup forms throughout your site, automated welcome sequences, and lead magnets like free chapters or bonus content to incentivize subscriptions.
Direct book sales
Sell signed copies, special editions, or digital downloads directly from your site using WooCommerce or Shopify. Keep a higher margin on every sale and build a direct relationship with your readers.
Reading samples and excerpts
Let visitors read the first chapter or a curated excerpt right on your site. Embedded PDF readers, styled excerpt pages, or even audio samples of your audiobook — all designed to turn browsers into buyers.
Booking and event calendars
Integrated calendars for book tours, readings, and speaking engagements. Embed Calendly for booking consultations, or display upcoming events with locations, times, and registration links. I can also sync with Google Calendar for easy management.
Amazon and retailer integration
Automatically pull in reviews from Amazon and Goodreads, display buy buttons for every major retailer, and use universal book links (like Books2Read or BookLinker) so readers can purchase from their preferred store.
Social proof and reviews
Display blurbs from fellow authors, starred reviews from Publishers Weekly or Kirkus, and reader testimonials prominently throughout your site. Social proof is one of the strongest drivers of book sales, and I design these sections to be eye-catching and trustworthy.
Featured author websites
These are some authors I’ve built websites for.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Web Design, WordPress Development
Unshackled Law
Designed and developed custom WordPress website to drive book sales, showcase industry expertise, and book speaking engagements.
Learn more about Unshackled Law
5.0
DALLAS, TX
WordPress Development
TK Kader
Built custom WordPress theme from in-house designers to showcase investment portfolio and projects.
5.0
Benefits of working together
With years of experience designing and maintaining author websites, I’ve helped storytellers and thought leaders connect with millions of readers around the world. From troubleshooting complex site issues to offering proactive guidance, I bring deep expertise in author website design to ensure your online presence is polished, professional, and problem-free.
Premium Quality, Independent Pricing
I work directly with the authors who hire me — no project managers or middle layers. When you need something, you can reach me by text, email, or phone. I also integrate seamlessly with your internal tools like Asana, Jira, or Slack to collaborate as part of your team.
Simple, Straightforward Communication
Clean, high-quality code matters — but so do communication, timelines, and collaboration. I keep you in the loop with regular updates, join team meetings, and work within your existing tools to stay aligned every step of the way.
Knowledge You Can Trust, Personality You’ll Enjoy
Over the past 12 years, I’ve built a reputation as a trusted author website designer and analytics expert. My experience brings real value to the authors I work with—but I always approach projects with an open mind and a no-ego attitude.
Minimal Plugins, Maximum Performance
Many websites suffer from plugin overload. Often, an author’s request can be handled with a few lines of clean code, but when a well-built plugin is the smarter choice, I use it. My approach is simple: use custom code only when it’s the best solution for the job.
Author web design resources
Before hiring someone to design your website, make sure you understand the fundamentals. Here’s a look at some resources to get you started.
Beginner Resources
Get an elementary understanding of what it takes to design a website from scratch.
Advanced Resources
Learn the ins and outs of web design, and what tools your web designer should be proficient with.
We hired Kegan to build our entire website from the ground up — and he absolutely knocked it out of the park. From the initial concept through to launch, he was responsive, thoughtful, and deeply invested in making sure the site reflected our brand and business goals. Not only did they deliver a clean, modern, and intuitive design, but he also made sure the site was built for performance, SEO, and scalability. Every detail — from UX to backend functionality — was handled with care and expertise. He even put up with my multiple revisions :). Kegan took the time to understand our audience and offerings, and translated that into a site we’re incredibly proud to share with clients and prospects. If you’re looking for a web developer who’s skilled, reliable, and easy to work with, I can’t recommend Kegan highly enough!
Melissa Turek
Chief Marketing Officer
Watershed Analytics
Frequently asked questions about author website design
People looking for author website design tend to ask the same key questions — and for good reason.
Why do I need a website as an author?
A website gives you full control over your online presence, helps readers discover your books, builds your email list, and serves as a professional hub for media, publishers, and fans. Unlike social media, your website is an asset you own — it won’t disappear if an algorithm changes or a platform shuts down.
What should an author website include?
At a minimum: a homepage, author bio, individual book pages with purchase links, a newsletter signup, a blog or news section, and a contact form. Depending on your career, you may also want an events calendar, media kit, speaking page, and an online store for direct sales.
How much does an author website cost?
A custom author website typically ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the scope. A straightforward site with a homepage, bio, book pages, blog, and contact form sits on the lower end. Adding ecommerce, complex integrations, or custom illustrations pushes the price higher. I provide a detailed quote after our initial conversation so there are never surprises.
How long does it take to build an author website?
Most author websites are completed in 2-4 weeks, depending on the scope and how quickly content (like bios, images, and book descriptions) is provided. If you have a book launch date, I can work backward from that deadline to make sure your site is live in time.
Should I use WordPress, Squarespace, or Shopify for my author website?
WordPress is my top recommendation for most authors — it’s the most flexible, best for SEO, and gives you complete ownership of your site. Squarespace is a great choice if you want something simpler to manage with less ongoing maintenance. Shopify makes sense if direct book and merchandise sales are a primary goal. I can help you choose the right platform based on your specific needs.
Can I update the site myself after it’s launched?
Yes. I build all author websites using user-friendly platforms like WordPress or Shopify, so you’ll be able to update content, add new books, or write blog posts without needing to code. I also provide a walkthrough session after launch to make sure you’re comfortable.
Can you integrate email marketing tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit?
Absolutely. I can integrate your email platform of choice and set up custom lead capture forms, pop-ups, and landing pages to help grow your subscriber list. I’ve worked with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Substack, ActiveCampaign, and others.
Do you work with both self-published and traditionally published authors?
Yes. Self-published authors often need more ecommerce functionality and direct sales capabilities, while traditionally published authors may focus more on media kits, event pages, and linking to retail partners. I tailor the site to match your publishing path and career goals.
Do you offer website hosting and maintenance?
Yes — I offer ongoing support plans that include hosting, backups, updates, and technical assistance to keep your site running smoothly. Most authors prefer to hand off the technical maintenance so they can focus on writing.
I’m not tech-savvy. Can you walk me through everything?
Definitely. I work closely with each author to provide guidance, training, and support every step of the way — no tech experience needed. Most of my author clients aren’t technical, and that’s perfectly fine. I handle the complexity so you don’t have to.
Trusted by authors for their web design
Authors of all types trust me to create, build, and maintain their website and brand.
AAA
Amazon
Adobe
UserTesting
Pantera
SJSU
ManyChat
Randy Hetrick
Don’t take my word for it
Authors say I help them streamline internal operations, rank better on Google, save time with automations, and sell more books with expert-level web design.
Kegan built a beautiful, fully responsive, and SEO-optimized WordPress website for our client, attorney Paul Llewellyn, and I couldn’t recommend him more highly. He consistently met deadlines, communicated clearly, and made the process smooth from start to finish. It’s rare to find someone as reliable, detail-oriented, and easy to work with as Kegan. Highly recommend!
Alexa Davis
Founder, 3Set Partners
Kegan just overhauled our website beautifully! He moved us from Wix to WordPress, improving the page templates and design as he went. He was aligned with our UI/UX designs and input from the marketing team to produce a site that was not only technically stable but also functional and scalable as our team grew.
Heidi Perry
Senior Vice President
Writable