If you’re a writer, you’ve probably heard the same thing over and over, “Create a website!” And the truth is, whether you write fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or work as a freelance, you need a website.

An author’s website is perhaps the second most important thing in their repertoire – right before they actually write. If you want to grow as a writer, reach more people, and gain more credibility, a website is vital. Here are a few reasons why writers desperately need a website.

1. It is your home base

Your author’s website will act as a homebase of sorts. It will be the center of your marketing, social media, and interactions. With a website you can collect all important information and display it in one central place.

The website can also be the center of all your marketing – no matter how much you hate marketing. All of your ads, announcements, and social media can be referenced so people have one place to see information about you and your activity.

2. It makes you look more professional

With a well-designed website, even an amateur writer can look like a pro. This is especially important if you are a freelancer trying to get clients or a writer trying to showcase your work. Having a website gives you an advantage over others who don’t.

If you give yourself that touch of professionalism, you can move forward as a writer too. As you look more professional, you will learn how to actually do it Be it. And before you know it, become a real pro!

3. You can present your best work

No matter what type of writing you do, people will always want samples. They want to know that they like your writing style and that you can really do what you say. With a website, you have a place to showcase your best samples that are more likely to attract people.

Having a portfolio is an essential part of writing. With a website, you can create a professional looking portfolio in minutes that others can easily access.

4. This is how new people can find you

Are you a novelist looking for new readers? A freelancer looking for new customers? Your website is the way to get this.

Someone might hear your name from a friend or see it on a poster somewhere, or you might give them a business card. Then when they search the internet for more about you, they will find your website and all the information they want is right in front of them!

If your website has a blog, this is an even better way to reach more people. With the right search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, you can grow your audience beyond what you thought possible. So if you want more people to discover you and your work (and which writer doesn’t?) Then you need a website.

5. It gives you the motivation to write

If you have a blog or other non-static updated font on your website this will provide you with a source of motivation. Many writers struggle to find the motivation to complete or even start their work and this can be difficult to manage.

But with a website with a blog, you have an outside source of motivation to keep you moving. You have readers waiting for a new post and website that needs updating. This external source of motivation could make it easier for you to write more without trying too hard on yourself.

6. You have the option of an e-mail list

This is one of the reasons writers need a website that is often associated with blogging, but it can be for any type of website. With a website, you have the ability to create an email list that you can use to expand your reach even further.

Sending email will help keep your audience more engaged with what you are doing, be it blog, other copywriting, or freelance services. It also gives you another source of motivation to keep writing. Adding an email list to your website is just another way to expand your circle and expand your home base.

7. You can get yourself and your personality out on the streets

Building a website can be pretty simple fun, and you can express your personality in your own corner of the internet. Sharing in this way will not only help you find other people, but it will also help you become more confident.

If you express your personality and others respond positively to it, you can increase your self-confidence. You can share your personality through the colors you choose, what you write, the images you use, even the font you choose.

All of these are ways to express your personality and when other people start seeing them and sticking around your website, you will feel better. It can also give you a confidence boost that can help you be more successful as a writer.

8. It has the potential to make money

If you have a blog or other writing that you share through your website, this has the potential to become another source of income for you. Once you’ve built a good readership, there are many ways you can monetize your website and blog.

Making money as a writer is hard, so any additional source of income should be welcome. And if you can make money off something you love – and probably already do – why not?

Monetizing an author’s blog or website doesn’t have to be difficult, and you can make big bucks if you have a good readership. There’s another reason writers need a website: they need money, just like everyone else.

9. You can use it to make announcements

As a writer, you may have to make frequent announcements. This could be the start of a new project, the release date of a book, an appearance on a show or podcast, a change in your services, etc. Without a website, it would be difficult for all of your readers and followers to know.

But with a website, you have one simple central place to make these types of announcements. This makes it easier to reach out to the important people and make sure everyone is aware of your activity.

10. Can help your Google search ranking

SEO and search rankings may seem like a bunch of jargon that you don’t understand – and that’s fine. Just know that having a website talking about you will improve your Google search rankings.

This means that it will be easier for people to find you. The higher your ranking, the higher you appear on Google and the more likely someone will find you when they search for you or even just an author.

Talking about yourself, what you do, what services you offer, and linking your social media can all be great ways to improve your ranking. And if you’re really serious about it, do some research on how to apply SEO to your website.

11. It provides an archive to look back on

Blogging or sharing your writing on your website will create an archive of your previous work. You can then look back on it to see how far you have come and what progress you have made on your journey as a writer.

When you look back on your old work, you may get embarrassed, but you don’t have to. Instead, you can focus on how much your writing has changed and how you have improved. It shows you how you’ve gotten better as a writer.

An archive works the same way for your readers too: you can look back on your old work and compare it to your current work and see how much progress you have made.

After all, if you can’t find one, an archive can be a source of motivation for you. Don’t know what to write? Take a look at your old work and see if any of it inspires you – you can write something new, expand on an old piece, or even rewrite an old piece.

Now that you understand that, let’s look at some of the reasons why as a writer you need to build a website.

Packing

Of course, there are many reasons why writers need a website and you are no exception. Having a website can have many benefits to you and help you advance in your writing career.

In addition, websites are usually very easy to set up. And if you can’t figure it out or want something more complex, you can always hire a professional to help you. So get out there and create your author’s website today!