Author websites are much like other websites, right?

Well, yes and no. Here are some sections that your author site should have.

1. About the Author
   This probably sounds obvious, but it’s important to let visitors to your website find a connection with you. Don’t just include the little blurb that’s on the back of your book. Add some unique information about your pets, or where you live, or where you like to spend your vacations. Little things like that can create a connection with book buyers who will remember what they liked about you when it comes time to buy a book to read.
2. About the Book
   Whether you’ve got one book or twenty, each title should have it’s own page with a cover image, a description of the book, review excerpts, and of course, a way to purchase.
3. Events Calendar
   You are busy promoting your books, aren’t you? Well, for every single thing you do, mark it in an events calendar, blog about it, tweet about it, post it on Facebook… do it all! Even if it’s something as simple as guest posting at someone’s blog, or attending an industry event. Make sure people who want to find out more about you and your books can follow you wherever you are promoting…both online and off.
4. Questions for book clubs, teachers, or whoever else might be using the book.
   Make it easy for educators, parents, book clubs, or anyone else who might be using your book in a discussion setting. Post questions, activities, or other printables that are appropriate for your book.
5. Email Newsletter
   Sometimes just posting on your website isn’t enough.  Ok, it’s rarely enough. People have short memories. Let them sign up to receive monthly updates from you. Entice them to sign up to your newsletter with a special offer like a video or short story available only to those who subscribe. Maintaining an email list ensures you can contact your readers when you need to, not just when they remember to stop by your site.
6. A Blog
   While you don’t need blog software necessarily, you do need a section or two of your website you update very frequently to keep people coming back. A blog is the easiest way to do this. You can call it a blog, a diary, or even a weekly online column. Just keep it updated with interesting stuff.
7. Videos and Photos
   While the current fad in the book industry seems to be book trailers,  you don’t have to get a professionally produced trailer to post video to your site. You can post video of yourself answering reader questions. Show cute videos of your pets. Post pictures or a slideshow of your last book signing. People love to look at things, so give them things to look at.
8. Special Offers
   You’re going to want a place on your site to sell or give away things like signed copies of your books, book plates, tote bags, t-shirts, etc. Check out CafePress.com for more ideas. Just because you’re an author, don’t think that the only thing  you’ve got to sell is books.
9. Press Room
   If you’re busy promoting your book, you’ll want to create a press room so any journalist who is looking for information, press releases, high res photos, and previous clippings can find them online no matter what time it is.
10. Contact Me
    While it’s nice to be left alone to write, it’s essential that you have a way to contact you on your site. Whether its the press, or a publisher who wants to buy your next book, or a fan who really wants you to know how your book has changed her life, you need to be accessible.