How many pages do I need on my author website?
If you’ve ever sat down to plan your author website and had no idea where to even start, you’re definitely not alone!
One of the most common issues I hear from authors is not knowing how many pages they need on their shiny new author website.
Too few pages and your site might feel unfinished or unhelpful. Too many, and it can quickly become overwhelming to create - and to navigate.
The truth is, there’s no single ‘right’ answer. The number of pages you need depends on what stage you’re at in your career, what you’re trying to achieve with your author website, and how much time you have to keep it updated.
But there are some tried-and-tested guidelines that can help you get it just right.
So, let’s go through the essential pages, then take a look at a few extras you might want to add once your career (and confidence!) grows.
Start simple: the core pages every author needs
If you’re just getting your author website off the ground, my go-to starting point is four pages.
It gives you enough structure to feel like a ‘real site,’ but it’s not so many that you’ll never finish building it.
Here’s what those four usually are:
Home. Your homepage is your digital welcome mat. It should capture who you are, what you write, and gently guide people deeper into your site (to your books, your mailing list, whatever your priority is - more on that here! ).
About. Because readers love to know more about the person behind the words. Use this page to tell your author story, your motivations, maybe a little about how you write or what your books mean to you. It’s also a very important page for press and media.
Books (or “Writing”). This is where you showcase what you’ve written. Make sure it’s super easy for people to click through to buy your work.
Contact. Use either a simple contact form or a dedicated email address so that readers and other professional people can get in contact.
How my Author Website in a Day service uses that four-page foundation
Every one of my Author Website in a Day projects begins with a foundation of those core four pages.
That’s how essential they are!
That means when you hire me for an Author Website in a Day, you don’t have to agonise over how many pages to begin with.
You’ll get a clean, professional site with those essential pages already included. You can of course add extra pages from the start if you like, but this is totally at your discretion.
And then later on, as your needs grow - say you want an events page, a blog, or extra book pages - you can book in some time with me to add these for you (or you can add them yourself, as you’ll also get free access to my DIY course which will teach you everything you need to know about using Squarespace for your author website!).
I really believe that you don’t have to have a huge and overwhelming author website from the very beginning - just start with the essentials and then add to the site over time.
This allows you to get your website up and running with the least amount of stress possible, but also encourages you to build on it over time - which is great from an SEO point of view, as Google will see it grow and evolve.
What each core page should include
Let’s breakdown those four main pages in detail:
1. Home
Think of your homepage as your online shop window. It’s often the first (and sometimes only) page people will see, so it needs to make a great impression fast.
Your homepage should briefly explain who you are and what you write, and include an easy way for visitors to go deeper: whether that’s reading about your books, joining your mailing list, or following you on social media.
So on your homepage, you need clicks through to other pages on the website, as well as links to buy your books.
Keep the homepage short and visually engaging, with strong images of your books and a clear call-to-action like “Discover my latest novel” or “Join my reader list for updates.”
2. About
This is one of the most visited pages on any author website, because readers love knowing more about the person behind the words.
Your About page should feel personal and welcoming. Tell your story the way you’d introduce yourself to a new reader at an event: warm, honest, and maybe a bit playful or mysterious, depending on what kind of books you write.
You can include a short professional bio, a photo, and links to your books.
If you write fiction, focus on what draws you to your themes and characters.
If you write nonfiction, share your background and what makes you an expert in your topic.
If you want to provide readers with additional content, then this is also a nice place to add a Q&A with some of your most frequently asked questions.
3. Books
This page (or pages) is the real heart of your site. It’s where readers find out what you’ve written and where to buy it.
If you only have one book, a single Books page is perfect. Include the book cover, blurb, a few quotes or reviews, and buying links.
If you’ve written several, you might create one main Books page with a grid of covers that each link to their own subpage. This keeps things tidy while allowing plenty of space for individual titles later.
How to organise books on your author website →
4. Contact
This one’s easy to overlook, but it’s so important. Make it simple for readers, journalists, or event organisers to get in touch.
You can use a contact form or simply list your email address. I suggest using a dedicated one for your author work - please don’t use your old Hotmail address!
Why you need a custom email address →
If you have a literary agent or publicist, add their details too.
Even if you don’t expect much contact as you’re just starting out, having this page signals professionalism and trust.
4. It keeps the focus on your book covers
I always say that your book’s cover is the most important marketing asset you have!
And that cover already has its own strong colours and design.
Covers are professionally created to catch attention online and on bookstore shelves. If your website is also filled with competing colours, it can a) dilute the impact of the cover and/or b) end up clashing with it.
A monochrome background provides the perfect stage. Imagine your brightly designed book covers lined up against a sleek black-and-white site. They pop. They instantly become the stars of the show, which is exactly what you want.
Readers should never have to squint or scroll past visual noise to notice your books. Monochrome design ensures the covers shine.
Optional pages to grow into
Once your core pages are in place and you’re comfortable managing your site, you can start expanding!
The thing I love about Squarespace is the sheer number of features it offers, that can be added to your author website at any time.
6 great Squarespace features for authors →
Here are some ideas, depending on your goals and audience.
5. Blog or News
A blog can be brilliant for SEO (search engine visibility) and keeping your site feeling alive.
But only start one if you genuinely want to write regular updates!
Should I have a blog on my author website? →
If you don’t fancy maintaining a full blog, a simpler News page might suit you better. You can use it to share updates like new releases, signings, or awards without committing to frequent posts.
6. Events
If you often attend festivals, book clubs, or do readings, a dedicated Events page is worth adding. Include upcoming appearances and a list (or photos) of past ones to build credibility.
Even if you’re not touring constantly, this kind of page shows you’re active and engaged with readers.
How to add an Events calendar to your Squarespace author website →
7. Mailing List
You should regularly mention your mailing list across your site, but it can also have its own landing page.
This gives you space to explain what readers will get by subscribing: exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes updates, giveaways, etc. and makes linking to it easier from social media or newsletter swaps.
8. Resources or Extras
If you write nonfiction, you might include resources, downloads, or further reading.
Fiction authors sometimes use an Extras or Behind the Scenes page to share deleted scenes, playlists, or character sketches.
It’s a lovely way to add personality and reward readers who explore beyond your main pages.
9. Press or Media Kit
Once your profile starts growing, journalists and event organisers will appreciate a Press page. This can include your professional bio, headshots, book covers, blurbs, and contact info in one easy-to-download place.
Having this page ready saves you a ton of time later on, and again, it signals professionalism.
10. A Shop
You can also consider adding a shop to your website, to sell signed copies of your books directly to your fans.
What about ‘one-page’ websites?
You might have seen single-page author websites that put everything on one long scrolling page.
These can work really well if you’re brand new, have only one book, or want something minimal.
The key is to make sure it still feels complete: include short sections for About, Books, and Contact, and anchor links at the top so visitors can jump to what they want easily.
If you plan to grow your website, though, I would say it’s worth starting with a multi-page structure so you don’t have to rebuild everything later.
On a budget but need an author website?
The DIY Author Website Course is just for you! →
How to decide what you really need
When you’re planning your site, the best way to decide on pages is to ask yourself these questions:
What’s my main goal?
Is it to sell books? Build a mailing list? Attract media interest? Your main goal should guide the structure.Who’s visiting my site?
Readers? Publishers? Journalists? Each audience looks for slightly different things.How much time do I realistically have to maintain it?
There’s no point adding a Blog, Events, and Resources page if you’ll never update them. It’s better to keep things lean and polished than sprawling and outdated.
The sweet spot for most authors
For most authors, the ideal number of pages sits somewhere between four and seven. That’s enough space to cover all the essentials while keeping navigation simple.
If I were to recommend a ‘standard’ setup for a mid-career author with a few books, it might look like this:
Home
About
Books
News or Blog
Mailing List
Contact
You can always expand later as your needs change, but this version gives you everything a visitor expects while keeping the maintenance of the site manageable.
Final thoughts
Your author website doesn’t need to be huge or complicated to be effective. What matters most is clarity: helping visitors instantly understand who you are, what you write, and how they can connect with you.
As I always say: LESS IS MORE!
Start with the basics, make sure everything feels cohesive and easy to navigate, and only add more pages when you have a clear reason to.
A well-organised five-page site will always beat a cluttered ten-page one!
If you’re ever unsure, think of it this way: your website should feel like a beautifully designed mini version of your writing career. It’s there to invite readers in, not to overwhelm them.
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