Every Writer Needs a Website

If you're a writer, you need a website to attract readers. You can get international fame by posting your articles on other web sites, but you can showcase the articles on your own site. This might be a new avenue for some, but don't let it frighten you. Begin by noticing the sites that really appeal to you. Consider the design and layout of the content. Keep this in mind for how you would want your site to look.

There are basically three types of websites
1. If you know Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), you can create your own templates, or visit a site that sells them. Once you buy a template, you can modify it to your tastes. In a lot of cases, you don't need to buy additional software such as Dreamweaver or Frontpage. The website will have this software included with the package.

2. If you don't know HTML, then you can use sites which have the "What you See Is What You Get" WYSIWYG software. This is where you fill in your information into certain fields, or you can type on the screen just like Microsoft Word. The software does the rest, but oftentimes you don't have full control over the way the page looks. Sites like AuthorsDen usually have a yearly fee comparable to the yearly fee for a domain name. You have their site name as part of your URL, and your pages look basically like every other author, but you don't have to learn any new skills. The best advantage is your site can be ready within 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Or, you can find a site which allows you to use HTML and the WYSIWYG software. I like this the best, because I don't have to learn all of the HTML codes, but I can still have control over how the web page looks.

There's just one drawback to having a website -- It can take up a lot of your time to create and maintain it. My advice: Start with no fees, limit the amount of time you will spend per day or per week, and wherever possible, link to other sites that give additional information. The Internet works wonders, but if you abuse it, you will wonder where's your family, because they got tired of sharing you with the computer.

Let My Life Be Your Lesson

November 2004 was a very thought provoking month for me. For the last three years, I had spent approximately $170 per month for my web site with the e-commerce feature. I could only make updates to the website at my home computer, which meant I didn't spend a whole lot of time with my family. They understood, because I had a new business, but my book coach, Andrew Morrison, made me realize I had allowed the computer to capture most of my free time.

With all of the free web services available, I learned to follow some of my own advice in my ebook, "Do-It-Yourself Publishing." I cancelled the bank card services for the e-commerce, and I switched servers from Pacific Web Works to Freeservers for the web site. I cancelled my home Internet service, and only spend one hour a day on the web at the public library.

What did this mean for me?

1. I had Internet withdrawals, but I needed to rebuild my family life. Also, I read if you spend too much time on the computer, you have a higher chance for glacoma. I was definitely in the high risk stage. Whatever I couldn't get done in one hour, had to wait for another day. My youngest daughter complained about not having any homemade cakes, for literally several years. I am now baking again.

2. Although I will have the computer with Microsoft Word, I can still sit in front of a screen, but I use my free time wisely. I used to write 4 book reviews a month, and worked on the website. Now, I'm going to decrease this unnecessary workwork load, and find another hobby.

What did this mean for you?

1. If you have never worked with HTML before, DO NOT pay for any web services. Initially you will not need a lot of space for your site. Okay, so you want to learn and eventually have 3000 web pages. That's great! Find a web host were you can upgrade your services. But right now, don't let any site convince you of a need for multiple email addresses, 10 giga bytes of space, redirect URL (a different web address, which directs to your current page), or anything else of the kind. I currently have 312 web pages, which use less than 2 giga bytes of space. And unless you are a business already in operation with many employees, one email address is sufficient. Unfortunately in America, we are trained to think that bigger is better.

2. Do you want to only showcase your book, or do you want to give additional information about the books topic? A couple of pages for a creative description of your book, along with your biography, is just fine. But, will the reader/buyer have a reason to visit your site again? (Unless of course you have a dynamic marketing plan, and your book becomes a best seller.) On the other hand, with resource links, or consistently posting current articles, the reader/buyer might want to visit your site again. You gave them some useful tips before, and maybe your site has something new. This is just fine also.

The only price is the upkeep for the second option. You will want to be consistent on providing new articles, and making sure the resources links are not broken. This means spending less time devoted to your book sales, and less time with the family.
But for either option, don't forget to have you contact information. This should include a telephone number and a physical address. Someone might want to buy your book, but they don't want to enter their credit card number on the Internet. Make sure the consumer has access to you with all avenues.

3. Above all, keep the site as basic as possible. Most web users don't like popups, do you? Most web users don't like an introductory splash screen, do you? Most web user's don't like graphics which literally take a minute to upload, do you? That's my point. Think about your web experience. What turned you on or off about the web site you have visited recently. Use these positive and negative experiences to plan and design a great web presence.

Does this sound like a lot?

Yes, there is a lot of upfront planning to be done. Whatever you decide will be the best decision for you. Positive steps taken slowly can only lead you to success. Remember: Writing has great rewards, but don't let the marketing take over your life! It's not worth the quality time with your family.