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- Jun 5, 2005
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Hi, all!
I'm going to be speaking on a panel at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention about website design for both aspiring and published authors. It occurred to me that, really---the reason for a website is to reach READERS. So, I'm wondering what YOU like to see in an author's website when you're thinking like a reader. I hope a few of you won't mind answering a few questions about your preferences. I know there are going to be a million opinions on design and, what one person considers "easy" to use, another person will find difficult.
But I'm planning to speak on the theory that there are a few elements that EVERY author site should contain, that can make or break a happy visit from a fan.
So, which of these elements do you REQUIRE on an author's site in order to visit a second time?
1. In-depth information about the author? (and how in-depth do you like it? The author's hobbies and interests or National Enquirer-style dirt?)
2. The books:
a. Blurbs and covers only?
b. Excerpt to read (is a chapter enough for you to know if you want to buy?)
c. Reviews of the book from sites/reviewers you know?
d. Direct hyperlink to buy somewhere?
e. Do you like ALL the books on one LOOONG page, or go from page to page for more depth?
3. Photo gallery? Signings only with fans and other authors, or at-home candid stuff (their office, pets, etc?)
4. Is a dedicated forum/message board a must or is a guestbook okay?
5. How far in advance do you like to see upcoming book tours or appearances show up on the site?
6. Do you like to play games or puzzles on a site?
7. Are contests to win books/prizes important to you?
8. Is there anything else you like/dislike when you visit a new site (music, "whistles and bells" like tracking cursors with bats or hearts, book trailers (movies about the books), or flashing/moving banner ads?)
Next, how often do you visit an individual author's site if it's a FAVORITE author? Do you visit:
1. Hardly ever. I just like to read. Don't really care about the author's life.
2. Occasionally. Mostly when a new book is due out.
3. Pretty often. I visit favorite author sites every few weeks.
4. Nearly every day. I go to at least one author site a day and always look for new sites.
How about if it's a NEW author you've only just learned about?
1. Do you visit their site to read excerpts to see if you want to buy the book?
2. Does the design or ease of use of the site influence your purchase of their book? Do you EXPECT multiple pages to wander through?
3. Does WHERE their site is matter? For example, if the domain name is the author's name, does that matter to you more than say, if the author has a single page on a community site, like Authors Den?
Any help appreciated! Thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to take the time to answer.
I'm going to be speaking on a panel at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention about website design for both aspiring and published authors. It occurred to me that, really---the reason for a website is to reach READERS. So, I'm wondering what YOU like to see in an author's website when you're thinking like a reader. I hope a few of you won't mind answering a few questions about your preferences. I know there are going to be a million opinions on design and, what one person considers "easy" to use, another person will find difficult.
But I'm planning to speak on the theory that there are a few elements that EVERY author site should contain, that can make or break a happy visit from a fan.
So, which of these elements do you REQUIRE on an author's site in order to visit a second time?
1. In-depth information about the author? (and how in-depth do you like it? The author's hobbies and interests or National Enquirer-style dirt?)
2. The books:
a. Blurbs and covers only?
b. Excerpt to read (is a chapter enough for you to know if you want to buy?)
c. Reviews of the book from sites/reviewers you know?
d. Direct hyperlink to buy somewhere?
e. Do you like ALL the books on one LOOONG page, or go from page to page for more depth?
3. Photo gallery? Signings only with fans and other authors, or at-home candid stuff (their office, pets, etc?)
4. Is a dedicated forum/message board a must or is a guestbook okay?
5. How far in advance do you like to see upcoming book tours or appearances show up on the site?
6. Do you like to play games or puzzles on a site?
7. Are contests to win books/prizes important to you?
8. Is there anything else you like/dislike when you visit a new site (music, "whistles and bells" like tracking cursors with bats or hearts, book trailers (movies about the books), or flashing/moving banner ads?)
Next, how often do you visit an individual author's site if it's a FAVORITE author? Do you visit:
1. Hardly ever. I just like to read. Don't really care about the author's life.
2. Occasionally. Mostly when a new book is due out.
3. Pretty often. I visit favorite author sites every few weeks.
4. Nearly every day. I go to at least one author site a day and always look for new sites.
How about if it's a NEW author you've only just learned about?
1. Do you visit their site to read excerpts to see if you want to buy the book?
2. Does the design or ease of use of the site influence your purchase of their book? Do you EXPECT multiple pages to wander through?
3. Does WHERE their site is matter? For example, if the domain name is the author's name, does that matter to you more than say, if the author has a single page on a community site, like Authors Den?
Any help appreciated! Thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to take the time to answer.