Imagine handing someone your book for the first time. You want to make a fabulous first impression – you want them to read it – so you take the time and spend the money to create an engaging cover and enticing copy to pull them in. Why wouldn’t you do the same for your Web site?
As with your physical book, your Web site should capture your reader; you have about eight seconds to grab ‘em or lose them. First, find a designer that understands your market and further, understands you. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. However, if you know your readership, and you should (get a reader profile form from Author Marketing Experts, Inc. for just $5.95) you will cater your site to your readers. This means choosing the right colors and the best images to convey a feeling and set a tone.
So, now it’s time to develop a plan. Peruse the Internet and start compiling a list of Sites you really like. Decide on the colors you like and the information you want to convey. Ideally your Web site should be an extension of your book – it should further establish the branding you have worked so hard to create in your cover.
The use of imagery, photos and icons are a great way to break up the text and create lines of force. Lead your reader to a “call to action” – a BUY NOW button. And don’t be afraid to make your buy now buttons obvious. Every page should offer two places where your readers can buy – one in the navigation bar and another toward the bottom of each page.
Navigation is one of the most important aspects to creating a successful site – if it’s not easy to navigate and the reader has to decipher your code, you’ve lost a sale. Consider a newspaper, text is broken into easily digestible columns – your site should do the same. Don’t run too much text across the screen, chances are your reader will get tired and leave your site without even knowing why. And lastly, never use serif fonts in your body text – while it looks great on paper – a computer monitor is an entirely different animal and serifs are just plain difficult to read.
It’s always a good idea to develop a Site Map that shows the pages you will want and a summary of the information that will go on each page. Don’t clutter your pages. Too much information will likely scare your readers away. Make it succinct and clear with a “What’s in it for me” message.
By the time you seek out a designer you should have a fairly concrete idea of what you are looking for. The more prepared you are the better you will be able to help your designer create the right site for you and your book. And, always, always ask to see samples. Remember, a great price doesn’t necessarily translate into a great site. More often than not, you get what you pay for.
Get a contract – know up front what you are paying for, so there are no surprises down the road. Most design houses will offer you three samples from which you will have the opportunity to make small changes, pulling your favorite elements from each until you are completely satisfied. It’s simply a bad idea to hand your Web site needs over to a design house and then find out weeks later that you hate what they have created. Communication is key.
Remember to give your designer a list of sites that appeal to you – sites that you would like yours to look similar to – this will give your designer a concrete idea of your expectations. And, while you are at it – study your competition. More on this in our next blogging article called – What are Keywords and Why Do I Need Them?
Until then – your Web site is a powerful tool, use it wisely and put as much love and attention into it as you have your book cover. Your Web site is your online brochure – your portal to the world and your many readers that just need a way to find you. Happy selling!!
Jeniffer Thompson is president of Monkey C Media, a full design house offering Web site services, screensavers, personalized blogs, photography, company collateral packages, branding, copy writing, copy editing and book cover design. Monkey C Media also offers author template sites for $700. Mrs. Thompson is a freelance lifestyle writer in the San Diego area; she has worked in the publishing industry for more than 10 years and offers consulting services for authors and Web site analyses. Her new book Web Site WOW; How to turn your Web site into your most powerful marketing tool will be available in June, 2006.
