Four reasons authorpreneurs need a website

According to a recent blog post, authorpreneurs don’t really need a website anymore. The writer’s argument? Authors can use social media and other online platforms to promote their books without the hassle and cost of building a website. While I get their point, I disagree. As an authorpreneur, your writing is part of your business. So, ask yourself: What successful company doesn’t have a website? And, why do even the most renowned authors like Stephen King or JK Rowling have a website?

Here are four reasons social media alone won’t cut it for authorpreneurs, and a website is one of your most valuable assets.

1. Ownership and control

Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Goodreads, and other forums are great platforms to promote your author brand. They make it easy to build connections, share updates, and foster a community. However, relying exclusively on them for your business is a risky strategy. Why? Because you don’t own your space.

Social media platforms and forums come with rules and ever-changing algorithms that can limit your reach. They can suspend, delete, or restrict your account without warning. You might find your account flagged for reasons beyond your control. Even if they reinstate your account, the disruption can still harm your brand’s visibility and, in the end, your business.

Think about the recent transformation of Twitter into X. Since Elon Musk took over, many users have had trouble engaging with their followers. Even verified users—those who pay for the blue checkmark—reported declines in engagement.

No such limitations exist on your website. You control your content without worrying about external policies or sudden platform changes. You can post what you want, advertise how you see fit, and engage with your audience on your terms.

2. Direct sales and publication platform

Your website isn’t just a powerful tool to increase your visibility, but a place to showcase your work. Better yet: Since you control your content, you can use your website as a direct sales platform. Selling eBooks, signed paperbacks, or exclusive merchandise on your website can bring in extra money. By cutting out middlemen like Amazon and other retailers, you increase your profit margin. 

And what about the people who are not active on social media or prefer a different platform than the one you primarily use? Not everyone is on TikTok, Instagram, or LinkedIn. By focusing solely on such platforms, you limit your reach. With your own domain, you create a stable, long-term presence that can withstand the unpredictability of social media trends.

Furthermore, consider the longevity of social platforms. Remember Google+, Friendster, MySpace, or Clubhouse? Once thriving communities, they’ve now faded into obscurity. If you only use foreign space, and such a platform shuts down or falls out of favor, you could lose your entire audience. For authorpreneurs, this is a significant risk. You’ve spent time and effort building an audience, and it could all disappear without you being able to do anything about it.

3. Credibility for your author brand

To learn about an author, most people search online. If you don’t have a website, you risk losing their interest—and maybe even your credibility. A website ensures you have a home base for your content. It’s a place where anyone, no matter their social media habits, can find you. It’s your central hub where your audience can learn everything they need to know about you. Likewise, it is a one-stop destination for everything related to your brand. Think of it as your storefront—it’s where readers can find your published books and related products or subscribe to your newsletter.

Moreover, a professional website helps solidify your reputation as a legitimate authorpreneur. How do I know it? A popular self-publishing expert recently complimented my website for being clean and well-organized. He added, it showed that I took my business seriously. In short, my website boosts my credibility.

4. Boost your visibility with search engine optimization (SEO)

As an authorpreneur, one of your primary objectives is to ensure readers can easily find you online. With hundreds of thousands of authorpreneurs out there, how will prospective customers discover your work? This is where search engine optimization becomes crucial in building your online presence.

SEO helps your site rank higher in search engine results. It makes it easier for people to find you when they search for keywords related to your name, genre, or works. The higher your website ranks, the more traffic you’ll attract. It’s simple: if potential readers can’t find you online, they’ll likely move on to someone else they can find.

Furthermore, social media and SEO work hand in hand. Instead of posting long threads, share links to your website. It streamlines marketing efforts, promotes follower engagement, and boosts your search engine ranking.

Wrapping it all up

While social media is a valuable tool in your marketing strategy, it should complement, but not replace, your author website. Unlike social media, your website gives you complete control with no changes or account restrictions. This allows you to shape your brand narrative, publish content how and whenever you choose, and even sell your work directly to readers. By using search engine optimization, you also make it easier for people to find you online.

Simply put, an author's website offers credibility, control, and more chances for visibility and sales. Thus, it is a must-have tool for any serious authorpreneur.