Last updated: April 2026
Most author websites stall before they start — not because the design is wrong, but because the content isn't ready. You sit down to build (or brief someone to build) and realise you don't have a bio, your book covers aren't the right resolution, and you haven't thought about email signup yet.
This checklist covers everything you should have ready before your site goes live. Work through it in order. By the end, you'll have every asset and decision you need to launch with confidence.
1. Your author identity
This is the name that will appear on your website, domain, social profiles, and metadata. Make sure it matches what's on your books.
Write a short version (2-3 sentences for sidebars and social profiles) and a long version (3-4 paragraphs for your About page). Write in third person — it reads more professionally and is what media outlets, podcasts, and retailers expect.
A high-quality headshot at minimum 800x800px. This will be used on your About page, social profiles, press kits, and structured data. Phone photos are fine if the lighting is good and the background isn't distracting.
2. Your books
You need the full-resolution front cover for each book — minimum 1600px on the longest side. If you only have the file your cover designer sent to KDP, that should work. Avoid screenshotting your Amazon listing.
Not your Amazon blurb — a version written for your website. Amazon descriptions are optimised for search and conversion on that platform. Your website description can be longer, more personal, and more detailed. If you only have the Amazon version, that's a starting point.
Amazon, other retailers, and any direct purchase links. Collect them all in one place. If you're planning to sell directly from your website, note which books you want to offer as direct sales.
ISBN, publication date, page count, publisher name, and genre/category for each book. This information powers structured data that helps search engines and AI tools understand your books.
Collect your best reviews — from Amazon, Goodreads, editorial reviews, or endorsements from other authors. Pick 3-5 strong ones per book. These add credibility and social proof to your book pages.
3. Your domain and hosting
Your domain should be your author name if possible — yourname.com or yournameauthor.com. If your name is common and taken, try yournameofficial.com or yournamebooks.com. Avoid hyphens and numbers.
When you register a domain, your name, address, and phone number are publicly visible in the WHOIS database unless you enable domain privacy. Most registrars offer this for free or a small fee. Enable it.
Set up an email like hello@yourname.com or contact@yourname.com. A branded email address looks more professional than a Gmail address in your contact form replies and correspondence.
4. Email signup and reader growth
A lead magnet is what you offer readers in exchange for their email address. It should be something your readers genuinely want — a bonus chapter, a short prequel, a deleted scene, a character guide, or a sample of your next book. "Sign up for my newsletter" isn't compelling enough.
Usually a PDF. Format it nicely — it's a first impression. Include your book cover, author name, and a link back to your website. Keep it under 5MB for easy delivery.
The email that goes out when someone signs up. It should deliver the lead magnet, thank the reader, set expectations for future emails, and feel personal — not automated. Even if it is automated.
5. Pages to plan
Your homepage should answer three questions in under five seconds: Who are you? What do you write? What should the visitor do next? It's not the place for your life story — that's what the About page is for.
This is typically the second most visited page on an author website. Write it for readers, not for yourself. What do your readers want to know about you? Lead with what connects you to your genre and readers, not with where you went to school.
One page per book, or a single books page with all titles. Each book needs a cover, description, buy links, and reviews. If you write series, make the reading order obvious.
A simple form is better than just an email address (forms convert higher and are harder to scrape). Include what kind of enquiries you welcome — reader messages, media requests, speaking invitations, etc.
Privacy policy and terms of use. These are required if you collect emails or sell anything directly. They don't need to be long, but they need to exist.
6. Social profiles
Which platforms are you active on? Your website should link to them. Only include platforms you actually use — dead social profiles look worse than no social profiles.
Your display name and handle should match your author name as closely as possible across every platform. Consistency builds recognition and makes you easier to find.
7. Launch preparation
A single page that lists all your important links — books, email signup, latest post, social profiles. This replaces the scattered link trees and gives you a branded hub to use in social bios.
Add your website URL to your Amazon Author Central profile. This creates a direct link from your Amazon presence to your owned platform. It's free and takes two minutes.
Same as above — add your website URL to your Goodreads author profile. Readers who discover you on Goodreads should be able to find your site in one click.
You don't need everything on day one. But the more you have ready before you start building, the faster your site goes live — and the better it performs from launch day. If you're working through this checklist and realising you need help pulling it all together, we do exactly that.