Building a website for my debut book was a task I never imagined I’d take on—especially as someone with no technical background. However, as a debut author eager to connect with readers, share my journey, and launch my book, it became essential. The process was filled with learning curves, but now that it’s live, I’m excited to share my experience with you!
Step 1: Choosing the Right PlatformInfo Box
The first challenge was deciding which platform to use. I considered various options like Wix and Squarespace, but I ultimately chose WordPress. Why? Although platforms like Wix are known to be user-friendly, I have previous experience with WordPress. I felt more comfortable sticking with something I was somewhat familiar with, even though I knew it might require a bit more effort compared to beginner-friendly options. WordPress provided the flexibility I needed, allowing me to grow with it as my website evolved.
Step 2: Picking the Best Hosting Provider
Choosing a hosting provider was next on the list. After doing a lot of research and reading reviews, I decided on Hostinger. The company received great reviews for its quality service at an affordable price, especially for the first two years. I wanted to be committed to this project for at least two years, giving me ample time to establish my website and build my online presence. Even though there were cheaper options available, I felt Hostinger offered the right balance of quality and cost. An added bonus? They included a free professional email address for the first year, which made my author brand feel more polished and credible. This commitment to Hostinger made sense for my long-term goals, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold over the next few years.
Step 3: Registering My Domain Name
Choosing a hosting provider was next on the list. After doing a lot of research and reading reviews, I decided on Hostinger. The company received great reviews for its quality service at an affordable price, especially for the first two years. I wanted to be committed to this project for at least two years, giving me ample time to establish my website and build my online presence. Even though there were cheaper options available, I felt Hostinger offered the right balance of quality and cost. This commitment to Hostinger made sense for my long-term goals, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold over the next few years.
Step 4: Designing the Website
Next, I started the design process. Without any technical expertise, I was a bit nervous. But WordPress made it relatively easy to choose a theme that fit the vibe I wanted. I selected a clean, modern design that could evolve with my future work. The beauty of WordPress is its flexibility—if I want to change the theme or layout later, it’s straightforward to do so.
Step 5: Creating Content and Setting Up the Blog
Content creation was one of the fun parts of the process. I started by writing about my debut book and the journey I’ve had leading up to this point. I also created blog posts to give people a peek behind the scenes, share insights, and talk about the writing and publishing process. The idea is to connect with my readers and build an audience, one post at a time.
Step 6: Tackling SEO
Since I have a background in marketing, I knew SEO (Search Engine Optimization) would be key. At first, the SEO side of things seemed a bit overwhelming, but with a little practice and research, I started to feel more confident. I made sure that the title, content, and meta descriptions were optimized for relevant keywords. I also paid attention to the SEO score, which required lots of trial and error to ensure the site met the standards. Regular updates and refinements are essential in improving the SEO score over time.
Step 7: Adding Photos and Improving Website Speed
One crucial tip I learned was to compress images before uploading them to the website. Large photos can slow down the loading speed, which can impact user experience and SEO. It took a little extra time, but optimizing the photos for faster loading was well worth it.
Final Thoughts:
Building my debut author website was no small feat, but it was incredibly rewarding. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and the lessons learned along the way. From choosing the right platform and hosting provider to optimizing content for SEO, every step was part of my learning journey. For anyone starting from scratch like me—don’t be afraid to jump in and learn as you go. The resources are out there, and with patience and persistence, you can create something amazing too.
👉 Curious about what comes next? Follow my blog to stay updated on my writing journey and discover my debut book as I get ready to launch it into the world.
