Friday, May 31, 2013

14 Blog or Website Essentials for Writers

Over the last five years, I've picked up a slew of information about websites and spent a summer studying essentials of website design. While I've personally designed several websites using point-and-click type software, a code master I am not! But I believe writers CAN maintain a professional web home-base by including fourteen essentials.



Why are the following fourteen details important?

Often I'll see writers commenting on blogs, and I'll click through their profile to check out their blog/website, leave a comment, or e-mail them. I add them to my social networks too.

That's why I'm surprised when I see very basic "musts" (in my humble opinion, at least) overlooked. You'd be shocked at how many writers don't include an e-mail address anywhere on their site. Agents and editors DO occasionally contact authors from websites. I contact writers from their websites. No e-mail? Missed opportunity. With the countless free e-mail services out there, I don't understand why a writer would omit this.

What about failing to engage readers? I've wanted to respond to blogs where comments were either turned off or only allowed by team members. Again, this doesn't make sense to me. If you want readers to connect with you, you have to provide them ways to do this.

Another problem? No spelled out reason for me to be on the site. If you're a writer and you're trying to build a platform, you need to be bold and tell everyone you're a writer and what you write. Don't make them guess!

Here are my fourteen blog/website essentials for writers:

1. A header with your author name and what you write (ex: Pen Name: Author of Historical Fiction)

2. If you blog regularly, a way to subscribe to your RSS feed AND a way to subscribe via e-mail (Thanks, Edie Melson, for reminding me of this in the comments--so true!!)

3.  An e-mail address for readers to contact you

4. A short biography including your name (readers want to connect with an author and they can't connect with a nameless entity)

5. Links to your social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Goodreads, YouTube, etc...)

6. If you blog regularly, allow people to comment.

8. An author photo (should reflect who you are in an appropriate, flattering manner)

7. Visual appeal--include bright photographs to draw the reader's eye in

8. Content relevant to your product (should make people want to buy your books or, if you're not published, come back to your site until you are published)

9. Easy to read fonts, preferably with dark text against a pale background

10. Relevant color scheme (ex: avoid pastels if you write thrillers)

11. Easy, clear navigation between pages

12. A call to action on your home page (ex: "Subscribe to My Newsletter" linked to a sign-up form, or "Purchase Title Here" with the cover, back-cover copy, and links to purchase your latest book)

13. Personable content geared toward readers. Writers need to engage with our audience and we won't do that if we're talking at them, coming across as superior, or boring them with stiff, formal writing.

14. Search engine priority. You want your website/blog to show up on the first page of results in search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing. Ways to accomplish this? Blog regularly, update your website often with new photos and content, pay for web-hosting and purchase your author domain name, etc...)

I could go on and on. If you  have ANY questions about starting a blog, creating a better blog, do-it-yourself websites, web-hosting, social media links, and so forth, please ask. I don't have all the answers, but I've learned a lot over the years and I'm happy to share my opinion.

What do you consider essential for a writers' blog/website?

Have a terrific weekend!


26 comments:

  1. Great post, Jill! Gave me an idea!

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  2. Awesome list, Jill! It's funny how trends get thrown around once you've been doing this a while. It seems the big trend I'm seeing daily articles about these days is the need to build your newsletter list. As with any trend, we must decide how and if the different "must-have's" and "must-do's" fit into our current platform.

    I have decided that my newsletter will be for readers, so I'm currently trying to make sure it's visible on my site and clear that if you want the latest news about my books, you MUST SIGN UP FOR IT. You're so right when you say that we must make sure that the call to action we hope to convey is 100% visible, like our email address or the call to buy our books.

    Thanks for the great post today!

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    1. Thanks, Heather! Yes, I've noticed a big push about Newsletters too. Mailchimp and other sites make it so easy to collect e-mail addresses (after a reader signs up, of course!!).

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  3. Such awesome tips, Jill, and especially timely for me as I'm in the beginning stages of exploring a web design rebuild. I feel like there are things I'm doing right on my current site and things I definitely need to improve upon. I want to add an extra amen to your "writing personable content" point. As a blog reader myself, that's the key in whether I keep coming back to a site--if the content is personable and fun.

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    1. I love your site, Melissa. The look matches your voice, it's full of great content, and all the essentials are there. Nice job!

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  4. I think you've nailed them. Did you have a place to let readers know your blog schedule? I think it's important that they know when you'll be around and if you take breaks to let them know so it doesn't seem like you randomly dropped off the planet!:)

    Loved the tips. I was mentally ticking them off to see if I matched them all!

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    1. Yes, a blog schedule IS important. I'm with you there!

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  5. Jill, great list, but you left off one MUST HAVE. Not everyone subscribes to blogs through RSS. Recent studies show only between 40% and 50% use readers. The majority of people subscribe to blogs through email sign ups. Anyone who doesn't have both RSS and Email subscription options is missing a large section of their audience.

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    1. Aacck! You're right, Edie! I have quite a few subscribers to my blog through e-mail. I'm adding it to the list RIGHT NOW!! Thanks!!

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  6. Great list, Jill. My awesome web designer helped me nail a number of the items. I'm weak on a couple of them, but I'm working on it.

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    1. Your website covers ALL the bases, Keli. I've referred several writers to your Media Page as an example of what to do. :)

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  7. Jill, kudos on a comprehensive list! One thing I would add is a freebie or two. I mean, you're a writer, right? Let them read something you've written without paying for it. It doesn't have to be a whole book, but you get the idea.

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    1. Great tip, Donna! This is another way writers can "push" a goal. Maybe Newsletter subscribers get first looks at a free piece? That sort of thing. Love your thoughts!

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  8. Oh my lands, I feel I'm lucky to get a blogpost up, much less a newsletter! Ha. And blog schedule--Jessica is so right. I've been all OVER the place with my schedule, but recently decided to commit to Mondays and stick to it (I'm down to one day a week). I've been at this for five years, too, Jill, and it's so hard to come up w/fresh content as a fiction author. I can't wait till I have a book to link to on that home page! Here's hoping...

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    1. One day a week is a great schedule for many writers. It's not so overwhelming, but it keeps your name fresh with search engines.

      I have a newsletter sign-up, but I don't plan on sending out a newsletter until I have something big to announce. :)

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  9. Jill, as always you've nailed it!

    A few years ago, after putting my writing on hold for some time, it was a challenge to dive back in because so much had changed.

    I started with an initial bare bones WP site and soaked up every bit of knowledge I could to make it as professional as possible. I read books like "Blogging for Dummies" (seriously did-Lol!) and studied fun and challenging stuff like coding, SEO, photo formatting, and more. I also visited hundreds of websites that offered valuable insight (and even friendship) along the way. (AND...let me just add a huge THANK YOU for your ministry to others!)

    As my needs changed, I hired a Christ-centered team to design a fun and unique cyber home, but during those early years, I tried to make my WP site as flattering and fun as possible. And still, I do so much of my own work behind the scenes and I'm glad I have that creative control.

    You have such a great list here!

    When I go to an author's site, I like to read the author's BIO and browse through links and photos. (And if the author photo itself is a garish cartoon-like affair, that's somewhat off-putting because I want to see the real deal.) Also the right mix of fun and professionalism goes a long way! (I'm a sucker for vlogs and humor, too.) =)

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    1. I love your site, Cynthia. You do a great job! It represents you and your writing perfectly!

      I agree--it's fun to see real photos, links, and such. Makes me feel I'm connecting with the author. :)

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  10. I loved your tips. I went down your list carefully ticking them off to see if I had done them all! I can't think of anything else you could have, this is a comprehensive list.

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    1. Thanks so much, Elaine! I appreciate you stopping by! :)

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  11. LOVE you tips - you are so great at doing this and it's always a huge help. Gets me thinking of what I need to do:)

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    1. Aw, thanks, Susan! I spruce up the old blog and website every six months or so. It's good to keep it fresh and give it a critical eye. :)

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  12. Hi,

    Great list! It is not a must, but to have a couple Tweets ready at the end of a post if someone wanted to tweet something from the article is a nice tool and great for marketing.

    Have a great weekend,
    Angie

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    1. I agree--having easy ways to share your posts only helps you! (Like buttons, Retweet buttons, Pin It buttons, or Tweetables...)

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  13. Jill:
    Thank you for the list. It looks like I have a few things to change on my blog.

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  14. Excellent tips, Jill! I like your blog award thingy of the right. My sidebar was so cluttered that I had them removed. This might work. :)

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