How to set up a blog on your Squarespace author website
Blogging may feel a bit old school in the age of TikTok trends and lightning-fast Reels, but here’s a little secret: for authors, it’s STILL one of the most powerful tools out there - especially when it comes to building a long-term, loyal readership and boosting your visibility online.
Whether you’re a non-fiction expert, a debut novelist, or a hybrid author (RESPECT!), having a blog on your Squarespace author website could do more for your writing career than you might expect.
I have been blogging continuously since I launched my business in late 2019, and I now ‘rank’ on the first page of Google for many different search terms relating to author websites.
It keeps people visiting my website and enquiring about my services and has been my main marketing strategy from the start.
Fun fact: I have never used social media to promote my web design business! 😱
So, as you can tell, I am firmly Team Blog.
However, there’s a lot of work involved in making blogging pay and some big caveats to be aware of, so let’s break down how to get your blog up and running on Squarespace, what kind of content works best for different types of authors, and how to decide if blogging is right for you.
Step-by-step: how to set up a blog on your Squarespace author website
Setting up a blog on Squarespace is relatively simple, even if you’re not a tech wizard. Here’s how to do it:
1. Log in to Your Squarespace Website
Go to squarespace.com, log in, and choose your author website.
2. Navigate to Pages
From the main menu on the left, click on Website > Pages. This is where you manage the content of your author website.
3. Add a New Blog Page
Click the little “+” icon and select Blog from the options. You might be asked to choose a layout. Just pick the one that suits your design best (you can always change it later).
4. Create Your First Post
Click into the blog page, then click “+” icon again. You’ll get a blank post editor, where you can:
Add your title
Write or paste your blog content (personally, I always recommend writing your blog posts outside of Squarespace in case your browser crashes midway through. It also means you have a back up)
Upload images or embed video/audio using the normal Squarespace blocks
Add categories and tags for SEO and organisation
5. Customise the Settings
Don’t forget to:
Add an SEO title and description
Set a ‘featured’ image - this is the image that will appear on the main blog landing page to encourage people to click and read more
6. Hit Publish (or Schedule)
Once you're happy, hit "Publish" or schedule it to go live at a later time.
And that’s it! You’re officially a blogging author.
Video Tutorial:
how to add a blog to your Squarespace author website
Why should authors blog?
Now that the ‘how’ is covered, let’s tackle the ‘why’.
Blogging can be a brilliant tool for authors, but it’s not for everyone, and that’s OK.
Here are some of the advantages of adding a blog to your Squarespace author website:
✅ It helps with discoverability (AKA SEO)
Search engines love fresh content. Every blog post you publish is another opportunity to be found by new readers searching for topics you write about. For example:
A non-fiction author writing about personal finance might blog about saving tips or budgeting hacks.
A fiction author might share behind-the-scenes insights into their characters, settings, or writing process.
✅ It builds trust and connection
Readers love getting to know the person behind the books. Sharing your thoughts, expertise, or even a few honest reflections can help foster a sense of community and keep readers coming back.
For non-fiction authors in particular, blogging can help you establish yourself as a go-to expert in your niche. If you write about parenting, mental health, productivity, or personal finance, for example, a well-written blog post can act like a mini showcase of your voice, experience, and value.
Although blogging is undoubtedly more powerful for non-fiction authors, fiction authors can benefit too, especially if your genre involves world-building or historical research, or if you have an interesting angle to share behind your books.
The popularity of Substack proves that people still love to read long-form content!
Substack for authors: interview with Emma Rowley →
I’d go so far as to say that the ‘old-fashioned’ model of blogging is making a comeback after people have grown tired of the disposable nature of social media… 🤔
✅ It grows your email list
Most authors know they should be growing an email list. Blogging gives readers a reason to visit your site regularly - and if you include an opt-in form (say, for a freebie or newsletter), you’re more likely to convert those readers into subscribers.
Email marketing is still far more effective than social media at driving sales, and really should be a priority for all authors.
Why every author needs a mailing list →
✅ It keeps your site active
Google doesn’t like dusty websites that haven’t been updated in years.
An active blog sends signals to search engines that your site is still alive and relevant.
This is massively helpful in boosting your visibility and improving your ranking over time.
✅ Gives you a platform to share updates and thoughts
Social media platforms come and go (hello Threads, goodbye X?), but your website is your own.
A blog is the perfect place for longer, more meaningful content that you don’t want to get buried in the algorithm.
Whether you're reflecting on your writing process, sharing research, or celebrating a book launch, it's a way to connect with readers on your own terms.
As I said, I have blogged here for nearly six years now, and I really enjoy looking back on my older posts from time to time to see how my business has evolved - it’s like my own personal archive!
✅ Provides content for you to share on your newsletter
I love blogging and I love newsletters and the best thing is that they work beautifully together!
Each Tuesday, I send all the people on my newsletter list a link to my latest blog post. And Tuesday is always my highest-website traffic day of the week.
The truth is that even though many people tell me they love reading my blog (which is also another lovely side effect!), I can’t rely on them remembering to visit my website each Monday when I share a new post.
So sending it out in an email reminds people that I’m here and encourages them to come back to my website 👋
Also, having fresh content to share with your subscribers is a brilliant way of ensuring you’re never stuck for what to put in your author newsletter!
Is blogging right for you?
But let’s be honest: blogging takes time, energy, and a bit of strategy to make sure that your efforts pay off. So who is it best suited to?
✅ Non-fiction authors
If you’re writing in areas like wellness, parenting, business, productivity, or any how-to category, blogging is almost a no-brainer. It’s a natural extension of your expertise, and it helps position you as an authority in your niche.
✅ Fiction authors (especially in genre fiction)
If you write series or have a unique world, blogging can be a way to keep readers engaged between books. Think: character interviews, sneak peeks, ‘deleted scenes’, or inspiration posts.
✅ Hybrid or indie authors
If you’re managing your own marketing, a blog can be a powerful, evergreen way to control your narrative and support your book sales long-term.
✅ An author with a niche audience
If your fiction is highly specific, like fantasy based on Slavic mythology or thrillers set in the sailing world, you can attract readers through related blog content. Think: ‘Top 10 books set at sea’ or ‘Real-life Slavic creatures that inspired my villain.’
✅ A writer who actually enjoys blogging
Sounds obvious, but if you like writing shorter, conversational content and you're naturally inclined to share your thoughts or research, blogging might not feel like a chore.
Being realistic about time commitment
This is the bit that often gets glossed over: yes, blogging properly takes time.
Even a short post can take a couple of hours when you factor in writing, editing, formatting, and promoting it.
If you’re already juggling writing your books, your social media, a newsletter, and life in general, adding blogging to the mix might feel like too much.
The key? Start small. You don’t need to blog weekly. Even one high-quality post a month can make a difference if it’s useful, searchable, and shareable.
The best thing about blog posts is that, unlike social media posts, they don’t expire. A well-optimised article you write today could still be attracting readers years from now.
You might remember that I went ‘viral’ last year with my blog post about the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival. That post has had more than 6000 hits since it went live.
I also published a blog post at the end of last year: 22 author website examples to inspire you - it’s had nearly 11,000 hits to date, and each month is my post popular post by far, resulting in nearly a third of my total traffic.
Top tip: Don’t blog just for the sake of it. Focus on quality over quantity. Ask yourself: Will this help my readers or potential audience in some way?
Enjoyed this video tutorial?
If you’d like more of the same to help you build your author website, the DIY Author Website Course is just for you! →
FAQs
❓Do authors need a blog?
No, it’s not essential.
But it can be a very smart move - especially if you want to grow your audience organically and give readers a reason to keep coming back to your website. Think of it as an optional-but-powerful tool in your marketing toolbox.
❓Why is it important for writers to have a blog?
Because it gives you control. You don’t have to rely solely on social media algorithms to reach your readers. Your blog lives on your own website, where you own the space and the content. Plus, it helps with SEO, builds your mailing list, and gives you a platform to share your voice beyond your books.
❓Are blogs still relevant in 2025?
Absolutely. While the way people consume content is evolving, blogs remain a cornerstone of content marketing. They’re searchable, shareable, and - unlike fleeting social media posts - they have a long shelf life. If anything, the authors who are still blogging in 2025 are standing out more because fewer people are doing it well…
❓Is it better to start a blog or write a book?
If you're choosing between the two, write the book. That’s your core product as an author. But if you have the bandwidth, starting a blog alongside (or in between books) can help support your overall career and visibility. Think of your blog as the companion to your book, not a replacement for it.
Final thoughts
Blogging on your Squarespace author website doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. Done well, it can quietly but powerfully support your writing career, build your brand, and bring in new readers month after month. The trick, as with all things, is to keep it sustainable!
You don’t need to post weekly, write essays, or reinvent the wheel. Just show up with something useful, honest, or interesting, and let the search engines do the rest.
And if you're the kind of author who loves reflecting, sharing, or teaching, then blogging might just become your favourite side project (it’s also a nice thing to turn to when your WIP is driving you nuts!!).
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