Your author website homepage is like your digital “front door”. A lot of times, it’s the first impression people have of you and your work, and your homepage has a big job to do.
The main job of your homepage is to communicate who you are, what you do, and what you offer…and do it in just a few seconds. For a non-fiction author, the homepage should establish credibility, spark curiosity about your work, and provide a way for visitors to engage with you. Whether your site visitor is a reader or an event organizer of some kind, the homepage needs to cater to a handful of audiences while keeping it simple and inviting.
There isn’t one definitive right or wrong way to tackle this – the content and structure of an author’s website can vary depending on their individual needs – but let’s look at some common sections that many websites for authors include on the homepage.
Objective 1: Tell Your Story…Briefly
Your homepage should reflect your voice and expertise. An opening statement or tagline should explain what your book or work is about and how they help others. Laurie Hellmann has a beautiful tagline.
A professional headshot or image of you, paired with a brief bio or introduction, can build trust and a personal connection.
Objective 2: Showcase Your Book
Create a section that features your book. Make sure you have a professional image of a book stack or book cover, a brief book description, and a clear call to action (i.e. Buy on Amazon).
Hopefully you have a strong launch team and were able to gather a few testimonials. Highlight a few endorsements here to continue building credibility.
Objective 3: Establish Your Expertise
For a non-fiction author, authority and authenticity are important. Use your homepage to highlight why you’re a trusted voice in your subject area. This might include awards, media mentions, or your professional background. Mike Barger has an incredible section that showcases his expertise and authority on his specific subject.
Objective 4: Demonstrate Social Proof
Social proof can be a powerful tool for building trust and credibility on your website. For non-fiction authors, it reassures visitors—whether readers, event planners, or media professionals—that you are a trusted authority in your field.
A few ways to add social proof to your website include:
- Testimonials
- Media features
- Book reviews
- Endorsements from colleagues or industry professionals
Objective 5: Build your email list
I will always champion for an email list. And a non-fiction author’s email list can be one of the best ways to grow your audience and connect with your readers. Include a lead magnet (a free resource, a book chapter, or a guide or checklist based on your area of expertise) with a signup form to encourage visitors to subscribe.
By consistently engaging with email subscribers – sharing book updates, events or book signings, and exclusive content – you can continue to create trust while driving traffic to your blog, books, events, or services on your website.
Non-fiction authors often write about real-world experiences, expertise, or personal transformation. Your homepage needs to reflect that authority and reassure visitors that they’ve found someone they can trust. Whether the goal is to sell books or services, get booked for speaking gigs, build your email list, or create a space for your readers to dig deeper into your writing, your homepage is the foundation to help you make it happen. And don’t forget to make it easy for visitors to take the next step with simple, clear navigation throughout.
