Author website examples: what the best author websites include
What makes a strong author website, with real examples from academic authors, the pages every book author needs, and design choices that help readers, press and organisers act.
The best author websites put the book front and centre with a clear cover, a one-line hook and buy links; give each book its own page with a summary, praise and retailer links; show the author as a credible person with a short bio and photo; and make it easy for press, readers and event organisers to get in touch. For academic authors, the site should also connect the book to the research behind it.
Key takeaways
- Lead with the book: cover, one-line hook and a clear buy button above the fold.
- Give every book its own page with a summary, praise and links to several retailers.
- Connect the book to your research, talks and media, so it reads as a body of work.
- Make the next step obvious for readers, journalists and event organisers.
- Own the site on your own domain. Publisher pages change when a book goes out of print.
An author website has a simple job: when someone hears about your book, searches your name and lands on your site, they should understand the book in seconds and know exactly what to do next, whether that’s buying it, booking you or quoting you.
Here’s what the best author websites have in common, with examples from academic authors whose sites I’ve designed and written.
1. The book is the first thing you see
The homepage should lead with the book, not a welcome message. A strong author homepage shows, above the fold:
- the cover, large and sharp;
- a one-line hook that says what the book is about and who it’s for;
- a clear “Get the book” button;
- one line of praise or an award, if you have one.
Example: on Professor Ravi Bapna’s website, the homepage leads with his book Thrive (MIT Press), with a short line on how AI is changing everyday life and a “Get your copy” button, before moving on to his research and speaking.
2. Every book gets its own page
A single “Books” list isn’t enough. Each book deserves a page that can rank in search on its own and be shared on its own. A good book page includes:
- cover, title and subtitle, plus publisher and year;
- a summary of 100–200 words, written for readers rather than reviewers;
- praise: endorsements and review quotes, with names;
- awards and translations;
- buy links to several retailers;
- media about the book: interviews, podcasts and excerpts.
Example: Professor Anindya Ghose’s website gives each of his books, Tap: Unlocking the Mobile Economy and Thrive: Maximizing Well-Being in the Age of AI, its own page in the navigation, with the awards and translations each has earned.
3. The author comes across as a credible person
Readers, journalists and organisers want to know who you are and why you wrote this book. Include:
- a photo that looks like you do today;
- a short bio (about 50 words) and a long bio (150–200 words), both in the third person so others can reuse them;
- your credentials in plain words: title, institution, and the two or three things a reader will recognise.
There’s a full guide to writing your bio here.
4. The book connects to a body of work
For academic authors especially, the book is one part of a larger story: the research behind it, the talks that grew out of it, the press it generated. The best author websites link these together:
- research themes that led to the book;
- talks and keynotes based on it;
- op-eds, interviews and podcast appearances.
Example: Professor Rahul Telang’s homepage opens with his book Streaming, Sharing, Stealing (MIT Press, co-authored with Michael D. Smith), then moves into his research areas, digital media, copyright and security economics, and his recent writing in outlets such as Harvard Business Review.
5. There’s a clear next step for every visitor
Different people arrive for different reasons. Give each one an obvious route:
| Visitor | What they need | What to give them |
|---|---|---|
| Reader | To buy the book | Buy links on every book page |
| Journalist | A quote or comment | Press page with bios, headshots and topics |
| Event organiser | To book you | Speaking page with topics, video and a form |
| Fellow academic | Your research | Research page and links to Google Scholar |
6. Good author website design is quiet
Design should make the book look good and get out of the way:
- generous white space around the cover;
- one accent colour, often taken from the book cover;
- readable type, at least 16px for body text;
- fast pages and a layout that works well on a phone;
- no clutter: no pop-ups, auto-playing video or sidebars full of widgets.
7. It lives on your own domain
A publisher’s author page is useful, but it isn’t yours. It usually covers one book and can vanish when that book goes out of print. A site on your own domain (yourname.com) keeps every link from press, event pages and reviews working for years.
A quick checklist
- Book cover, hook and buy button on the homepage
- A separate page for each book
- Praise, awards and translations on each book page
- Buy links to more than one retailer
- Short and long bio, plus a current photo
- Speaking and press pages, if relevant
- A simple contact route
- Your own domain
Ready to build yours? See how to create an author website, step by step, or have it done for you with author website design.
If you’d like to see what your book page and homepage could look like, I’ll design and write two sections of your site from your real work, free. Request your free sections.
Frequently asked questions
Do authors need their own website if the publisher has an author page?
Yes. Publisher pages are short, cover one book and often disappear when the book goes out of print. Your own site covers all your books, talks and press, and it stays with you.
What pages should an author website have?
At minimum: a homepage, a page for each book, an about page with a short and long bio, a speaking or events page if you give talks, a press page, and a contact page.
Should an author website link to Amazon only?
Link to several retailers: the publisher, Amazon, Bookshop.org and international stores where relevant. Readers have preferences, and some organisations prefer not to send people to one retailer.
How much does an author website cost?
It depends on the number of pages and whether the copy is written for you. Ask for a fixed quote that covers design, writing and setup, and check what ongoing updates cost after launch.