4 reasons authorpreneurs need a website
Today’s digital age offers many opportunities for authorpreneurs to promote themselves. The website remains essential for your author platform. It’s an investment in your brand and your long-term success.
According to a recent blog post, authorpreneurs don’t need a website anymore. The writer argued that 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 J. K. Rowling have a website?
Here are four reasons a website is one of your most valuable assets, and why social media alone won’t cut it for authorpreneurs.
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1. Ownership and control
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Goodreads, and co. 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 networks 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.
Also, social media platforms don’t last forever. Remember Google+, Friendster, MySpace, or Clubhouse? These once-vibrant communities are now largely forgotten. If you rely on other sites, you risk losing all your followers if they close. Your hard work could disappear overnight, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
No such limitations exist on your website. You control your content without worrying about external policies or sudden platform changes. You can post what and when you want, advertise how you see fit, and engage with your audience on your terms.
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2. Direct sales and publication platform
Your website is the perfect place to showcase your work. Even better, since you own your content, your website can be a direct sales channel. You can earn extra money by offering ebooks, signed books, or exclusive merchandise. Cutting out places like Amazon means more profit for you!
Don’t forget those who don’t use social media or prefer a different platform than yours. 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.
No matter how people use social media, your website makes sure they can find you. Here, your audience can find out everything they want to know about you. 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, related products, and subscribe to your email list.
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3. Credibility for your author brand
To find out about an author, most people check online. Without a website, you'll lose interest and hurt your credibility. 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 said it proved I was serious about my business. In short, my website boosts my credibility.
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4. Boost your visibility with search engine optimization (SEO)
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 comes in.
Better SEO makes it easier for people to find you when they search for keywords related to your name, genre, or work. The higher your website ranks, the more traffic you’ll attract. If people can't find you online, they’ll search for someone else.
Author website takeaways
While social media is valuable for your book marketing, it should complement, but not replace, your website (or your email list). Unlike social media, your website gives you complete control over your content. It lets you craft your brand's message, publish as you please, and sell to readers yourself. Using SEO makes it easier to be found online.
Simply put, your website offers credibility, control, and more chances for visibility and sales. So, it’s essential for any serious authorpreneur.
