If there is one thing that we’ve said over and over again, it’s that freelance writers need to have their own website. A writer’s website serves many purposes, perhaps the main one being your online portfolio.
If you don’t have your writer’s website yet, don’t fret, as there are many platforms and tools that make it easy for non-developers and non-designers create a website, of which website.1and1.com is one example. Practically anyone can use it without having to worry about technical aspects.
Even if you have your writer’s website already, you might want to take a look at it again to see if it is optimally laid out so that you can get as much out of it as possible.
Here are some tips to create an effective writer’s website.
Craft great landing pages
A landing page is a page on a website that a visitor is directed to with the intent of getting him to respond to a “call to action”. For example, a landing page on your site can ask the visitor to sign up for your newsletter. Another example is to entice the visitor to buy your eBook.
The key to landing pages is that you want people to actually take action. You want conversion. Results.
There is an art to writing landing pages that convert, and here is a good guide that will help you: The 5 Stages of Writing Irresistible Landing Page Copy.
Here is another comprehensive guide to help you with landing pages.
Create sections and make navigation easy
What is the purpose of your website? At its core, a writer’s website is your identity online. It can serve as your business card. It can showcase your writing portfolio. It can have a section that serves as your blog, where you can write about anything you want and update it on a regular basis. It’s your website. You can do what you want with it.
However, do remember that the simpler things are online, the more appealing to the reader. Create several sections, but don’t overdo it. For example, have a Blog, Portfolio, About Page, Contact Page, and Products Page.
The next crucial element: make sure those sections are easy to find and that your entire website is easy to navigate.
Try to make sure that your visitors have to click as little as possible to get to information that they want. One less click is always good.
Also read: Difference Between a Resume and a Portfolio?
Provide specific information about yourself
Since a writer’s website is meant to be your online representative, it needs to introduce yourself properly. You want clients to get in touch with you, right? That means you can’t be an anonymous person online. People need to know who you are, and they need to know some details about you so they can make a decision whether to hire you or not.
Make it easy to get in touch with you.
Again, you want your website to convert – that is, get people to hire you or buy your products if you’re selling any. As such, make it as easy as possible to get in touch with you. In your contact page, highlight your contact information as much as possible. Whatever email or phone number you display, make sure you check them often. If you know your response time is between 24-48 hours (or whatever number), make that clear as well.
