You don’t necessarily have to get a website for your book, but you definitely want to have a web page you own, not a social media page or just a listing on Amazon.
If you have a website, update it
If it’s been a while since you last updated your website, look at it now from your ideal reader’s point of view. Is it in alignment with your book and your brand? Will your reader be able to find information about your book easily? Does it look updated and professional?
If you don't have a website...
If you don’t have a website or need to create one for your book, I recommend Wix. It’s easy to learn if you want to do it yourself, and there’s plenty of help out there if you want to hire someone to do it for you. I like Wix because it has plenty of templates for authors, is easy to use, and is secure. There are certainly other options out there, but after getting hacked twice within two months when I was using a popular website format hosted by a well-known website hosting company, I only recommend Wix now. Wix has kept me safe for years.
Keep your website as simple as you can. Make sure if your book is not on the first page that it is obvious where a reader can find your book. Don’t rely on “obvious to you.” Ask five different people to go to your website and find your book. Ask them how easy it was. If it’s not unanimously EASY, then make it so. A reader shouldn’t have to click more than twice to get your book once they’re on your site.
I always love to share “how-to” instructions, but I’m not even going to offer advice on how to build your website or your book’s web page. That’s a whole other industry and specialty.
However here’s…
What you’ll need on your book page at a minimum
An image of your book. If you want a 3D rendering of your book, try the free Book Cover Mockups by DIY Book Design.
Your book blurb or description.
A button or buttons to direct readers to where they can buy your book. Check out tracking sales with Amazon affiliate links. Maybe even sell signed print copies yourself.
Keep it simple so that readers know what your book is about and make it extremely easy for them to buy it.
Your Book Launch
Once you’re close to publishing your book, plan on moving the book to the front page (if it’s not already there) for several months. I encourage my authors to have it on the front page for 30 days pre- book launch, then 60 days post- book launch. It doesn’t have to be the only thing on the front page, but it needs to be visible and easy to buy.
~ Put your book on your website for all to see. ~
NOTE: Put a reminder on your calendar to check your book at least once a year to keep the page current. As I posted this article, I realized I needed to update my book pages.
Resource Roundup:
3D book image Book Cover Mockups by DIY Book Design
tl;dr
Update your website — think of what your readers.
If you don't have a website — get one.
Create a page for your book on your website.
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When you're ready... 2 ways to move forward on your book journey:
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*FYI: I do receive $ from Amazon when you click on product links and purchase items from Amazon. I don’t know what you look at or buy and so far I’ve been able to buy, on average,3 cups of coffee each year from the income.