| Compare 4 Website Types
Read this article:
- to learn 3 criteria for evaluating effective author websites
- to learn the 4 types of websites available to authors
- to learn the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
This year, for the first time, the global Internet user population will top one billion people.
In today’s world, an effective online presence is as important as the paper your book is printed on.
Writers and authors who understand the four basic types of website options can ensure a marketing and promotion advantage while saving hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.
Website ownership is now so affordable that every writer should have a website, long before publication. Listing your website as part of your contact information on query letters and submissions is a sign of marketing savvy, and professional attitude. An effective website can sell you to a publisher before you ever market a book to your readers.
Evaluation Criteria:
The three criteria for evaluating website effectiveness include features, affordability, and ease of use. As with everything connected to our technological age, power and simplicity keep rising, while costs keep falling.
The Four Types of Websites:
1. Custom.
In the early days of websites, skilled webmasters ruled the online world. Even today, most websites are designed and maintained by webmasters. Authors with large financial resources can enjoy outstanding design. Authors should carefully investigate a webmaster’s service track record of providing timely updates. Website costs are rarely less than $2000 and can excee $20.000, with ongoing service fees additional.
2. Static
A cheaper option for writers has been the simple two- to five-page static website that typically features an author page, title page, and a contact information page. These cost less, usually hundreds of dollars, but they lack flexibility to grow with an author’s career. They also lack features such as email management, newsletters, event calendars, and online ordering.
One way that static sites are used is in conjunction with online bookstores such as Bookmaster’s Atlas Books. Bookmaster prices are $295 for a one page website. Design of a three-page site begins at $500 with $175 additional for each page.
As with many other online bookstores, Atlas Book websites are created as “subdomains,” e.g. www.atlasbooks/yourbookname.com. Atlas Book authors can register their own domain name for an additional $75 dollars. It is important for authors to own their own domain name.
3. Home-Built
Money-crunched authors can learn a web-design program such as Front Page ($199 from Microsoft) or Dreamweaver ($399 from Macromedia) to create their own website. For some the process is even fun. The functionality of these sites is often minimal, and unfortunately, the look is often less than professional.
Writers and authors who build their own sites purchase a domain name and register with a hosting service for $5 to $20/month to put their websites on line. Other than cost, a big advantage of self-built sites is the ability of the author to edit content.
4. Content Management System
In the last few years Content Management System (CMS) technology has brought self-publishing to the world of websites. A website company helps to set up the initial design of the website and provides a control panel for users to create their content. Some of these systems operate as simply as a wordprocessor. A full CMS website allows an author complete management of their website.
Cevado Technologies is a leader in the development of CMS applications. Ten years of experience and 1500 active user websites are the foundation of American Author's website services for authors.
Features:
Authors who self-publish their own websites should consider the following features:
- Page Count: Does the website come with sufficient pages so authors can develop a comprehensive site to share their expertise, provide information to readers, and draw in sales? What about the FAQ sheet, the Press Kit, and free downloads; how easy are these to create?
- Newsletters and Blogs: Does the website offer email management to send regular messages to subscribers? How are these organized on the website?
Online Forms: Can the website easily gather emails and information from site visitors?
- Online Store: Credit card and online store monthly fees can range from $25 to $100 dollars per month. For independent publishers, PayPal’s free setup, no monthly fees, and competitive per purchase charges provide a cost effective solution. Is online ordering needed? Is it available with the website?
- Creating and Editing Content: Does the website provide content control for the user? Are there limitations to the user? For writer’s groups, does the website support multiple users?
- For authors who teach: Can courses be loaded online? Can sections of the website be password protected to allow restricted access to coursework or online manuscript submissions?
- Technical support: Is there a human being you can call for help?
Conclusion:
As with publishing any book, authors must research carefully to ensure their website will meet their marketing and promotion goals. A little knowledge at the beginning can save thousands of dollars and ensure authors a great experience with their website. With recent technological developments, effective websites are now an affordable reality for all authors.
*This article has been accepted for the Publisher's Marketing Association Newsletter, December 2005
At American Author, we take pride in providing features that help our client authors succeed.
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