There’s no doubt that having a professional and engaging website is crucial for authors, speakers, and workshop leaders. 

Your website is no longer just a platform to sell books or publish contact details. Author and public speaker websites now serve as dynamic hubs for building community, showcasing your expertise, and attracting new revenue opportunities. 

Helping you make a great first impression with new followers and establish more meaningful relationships with existing ones, the right approach to your website can make all the difference for your personal brand.

But how can you tell if your current website is hitting the right mark?

To get started, here are 5 key indicators that your website needs more than just a light refresh, and how to go about getting your website back on track!

1. Your Website Looks & Feels Outdated

They say never judge a book by its cover… But, your website is often the first point of contact for potential readers or event attendees — and that means appearance does matter. 

If your site looks outdated or doesn’t reflect the forward-thinking nature of your work, it may be time for a modern refresh. 

Here are some signs to look out for:

• Outdated design: An old-fashioned layout, outdated logo, or dull color scheme can make your website seem stale and uninviting. Resolve this by having a professional web designer overhaul your site and give it a fresh look and enticing color palette that aligns with your brand.

• Poor mobile responsiveness: With more users accessing websites from mobile devices, your website will need to be mobile-friendly and responsive. So, before hiring a web developer to update your site, make sure they’re well-versed in mobile optimization.

• Cluttered interface: Too many elements on your webpage can overwhelm website visitors and make it difficult for them to find what they’re looking for. To avoid this, keep things simple and structure your site for a better user experience.

• Lack of visual appeal: Images and graphics play a crucial role in capturing a visitor’s attention. If your website lacks visually-appealing elements, try adding some professional photos or graphics to engage your audience more effectively.

• Slow loading times: Nowadays, website users expect all web pages to load quickly. If your site takes too long to load, ask your web developer to rectify this issue and ensure visitors don’t lose interest and navigate away.

2. You’re Struggling to Manage Content & Files

Managing website content and files can be time-consuming and frustrating – especially if you’re not tech-savvy. 

From adding updates to managing your site’s hosting and security, many authors and public speakers find it difficult to juggle everything that’s needed for their site to remain secure, high-performing, and aligned with their marketing strategies.

Here’s how working with a web designer that also specializes in website management can strengthen your online presence:

• Efficient updates: A professional web designer can streamline the process of updating your website, keeping your content fresh and relevant. As your author or professional speaker brand evolves, so can your website!

• File organization: Proper file organization is crucial for maintaining a well-structured website. An experienced web designer can help you organize your files effectively, making it easier to manage and update your site. (Or, even better – they can just do it for you!)

• Version control: Keeping track of different versions of your content can be challenging. A website management expert can implement version control systems to help you manage changes and updates more effectively, lowering the risk of downtime and keeping your website performing at its best.

Tip: It can be tempting to opt for a free DIY author website template, or a simple homepage to advertise public speaking events. But, it’s important to remember that 75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on its website design. This is why the best speaker websites and author pages are the ones that reveal a little more about who you are, what you do, and the value you offer — through custom design and development. 

3. Your Website Doesn’t Align with Your Personal Brand

Consistency is key when it comes to branding. And, as an author or motivational speaker, it’s essential for your website to reflect your unique brand voice and align with your overall brand identity. 

Here are some tips for making sure your new website does just that:

• Consistent branding: The more cohesive your brand is, the more trustworthy it will seem. To achieve this, use consistent colors, fonts, and imagery across your website to reinforce your brand identity. 

• Clear messaging: To fully connect with you as an author or public speaker, your audience will want to know a little more about what you stand for. This is why it’s important to clearly communicate your values, mission, and personality throughout your website content. 

• Authenticity: Before buying your books or booking you for a public speaking event, your audience will want to know that you’re genuine. It’s essential to be authentic in your communication and allow your personality to shine through in every aspect of your website. 

• Target audience alignment: An effective website is one that serves the needs of its audience. To resonate with your target audience, be sure to evaluate what they want from your site and address their needs and interests accordingly.

• Differentiation: To stand out among competitors, highlight what sets you apart from others in your industry. To do this, determine your niche or Unique Selling Proposition (USPs) and make sure your website showcases these qualities.

Tip: If you want to promote a particular event without disrupting the existing look and feel of your entire site, consider using a landing page to highlight the event details and secure registration. This dedicated page lets users explore the event information without distractions from other site content, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement.

4. Your Website Has Accessibility or Functionality Issues

When it comes to effective website design, accessibility and functionality are now non-negotiable. 

If your site is inaccessible or experiences frequent downtime, not only can it frustrate visitors and damage your reputation, but it’ll also be less likely to rank highly in search results, impacting your ability to reach new audiences.

When redeveloping your public speaker or author website, place a focus on:

• Accessibility standards: Always make sure that your website strives to meet accessibility standards to accommodate users with additional needs. For best results, work with a web developer with experience in this area.

• Downtime prevention: Regular care and updates can help prevent downtime and ensure that your website remains accessible to visitors.

• User-friendly navigation: Intuitive navigation is key to providing a positive user experience. Make sure your website is easy to navigate, with clear drop-down menus, logical page structures, and links to your social media sites.

• Cross-browser compatibility: Your website should function properly across different web browsers, providing a consistent experience to all users.

• Page loading speed: Optimize your website’s performance to keep your loading times fast and your bounce rates low. 

5. You’re Too Close to See Your Website’s Flaws

Sometimes, it takes an outside perspective to identify the flaws in your own site – especially if you’ve had your website for a long time. It might be time to take a step back and allow fresh eyes to assess its effectiveness for your author or public speaker brand.

To do this:

• Seek feedback: Ask friends, colleagues, or industry professionals to review your website and provide constructive feedback.

• User testing: Conduct user testing to identify usability issues and gather insights into how real users interact with your site.

• Competitor analysis: Analyze your competitors’ websites to identify areas where your site may be falling short or opportunities for improvement.

• Professional evaluation: Consider hiring a web design expert to conduct a thorough audit or assessment of your website and recommend improvements.

• Data analysis: Use website analytics tools to track user behavior and identify areas of your site that may need attention.

Tip: If you’re a keynote speaker or author, your website will likely need continuous updates to keep it aligned with your personal brand and career development. Whether it’s announcing podcast releases or upcoming tour dates, partnering with a web specialist with experience managing websites for authors and professional speakers is crucial for keeping your content fresh and your visitors engaged.