Monday, October 18, 2010

Author websites: what thinketh you?

Beth Revis has an awesomely informational post today about what to look for in a web designer. In typical Beth fashion she gives helpful pre-publication and post-publication website tips, not that I was furiously scribbling notes or anything...

I toyed around with the idea of a website when I was doing local music a few years ago. I even had a friend design a site for me, but we didn't end up going live with it. I honestly hadn't even given thought to having a website at this stage, but she makes some pretty compelling arguments for reasons why you'd want a website as an unpublished writer, especially during querying. Plus, it's always a good idea to buy your name as a domain. You never know how many Gertrude Sniedelmeyers there are out there.

But I'm not sure about the timing of a website. When is a good time to start one? Some of you have websites in addition to your blog, some of you only have a blog, some of you might have already bought your domain name and are sitting on it waiting for the right time.

So weigh in and tell me, what thinketh you on the topic of author websites?

8 comments:

Lydia Kang said...

I don't have one. Not knowing exactly how to get one or build one is also keeping me from taking the plunge. Somehow my little 'ol blog seems comfortable enough for me!

Lola Sharp said...

I have a domain name but haven't done anything with it yet. For now I'm just doing the blog thing (and I twitter on very rare occasions.) (No Facebook)

Have a delicious week. :)
Love,
Lola

Melissa Gill said...

I have a domain name, but havn't done anything wiht it yet. (OMG, this is exactly what Lola is saying just above. Anyway ditto, ditto, ditto, to everything Lola said.

Christina Lee said...

Yeah, just the blog with a separate page for my writing. But I know I should take the plunge. Off to read Beth's post!THX

Renae said...

I seem to be in good company. I don't have a website yet either. My blog and Twitter are keeping me busy enough for now.

Eric W. Trant said...

I like blogger because it's free.

I have a domain for my business, and I do web work, so it's not ignorance, it's just that I don't want to pay for something that I can get for free!

- Eric

Anonymous said...

Pre-publication, I think just a blog is enough, especially as most blogs have the option for separate pages. I did have a domain name for my previous name -- and might purchase one for this just so it wouldn't disappear by the time I do want a website. :)

Stina said...

Now that blogger has pages, there's no need for a website, especially for those of us who aren't published. I did buy my domain, though, which I use for my blog.