Your website is one of the most important places to showcase your brand and your work. It’s a virtual home base for all resources related to you, your network, your products—and, most importantly, your book.

Whether you’re preparing for the launch of your first book or a seasoned author, making sure you incorporate your book, or books, on your website is crucial to promoting your title and generating awareness. The following are five ways to optimize your website so that it easily and cohesively showcases your book—and you—in the strongest way possible.

1. Include Links to Online Retailers

If readers can buy your book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any other popular retailer, it’s important to include those links on your homepage so that they can easily learn more about your content or purchase a copy of your book.

2. Showcase Your Book Cover

Featuring your book cover on your website and social media platforms is an absolute must. We’ve all heard that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover; however, everyone still does. Featuring your cover is the best way for people to recognize your book (and sometimes your brand) online or in stores. Once you have a high-quality image of your book cover, you can put it on your homepage and use it as part of your header photo for your social media platforms.

3. Share an Excerpt

If there’s one thing people love, it’s free stuff. Offering an excerpt from your book is a wonderful way to get people to subscribe to your newsletter or mailing list. By promising a free download of your introduction, prologue, and/or a sneak peek at the first chapter, you’ll build excitement for your book and grow your author platform.

4. Feature Endorsements and Early Reviews

Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn when it comes to positive reviews about your book. When potential customers or readers come to your website and they see proof of other consumers enjoying your work, it will make them even more likely to take a chance on you as an author and read your writing. Putting a “praise” section on your website that’s specifically about your book will help others join the bandwagon.

5. Share Video Content

Whether it’s a book trailer, an unboxing video of you seeing the first physical copies, or a clip of you talking about your book, sharing video content is a great way to catch people’s eye. Both short- and long-form video content is currently what performs best online. Placing video content on your website can add credibility and professionalism to your book, inspire interest and engagement, and add a personal touch to your overall brand. Readers want to know why they should read your book and hearing it directly from you carries a lot of weight.

By taking the time to integrate your book into your website, you are creating a powerful home base for your book and your brand. If you need advice or help with amplifying your book on your website or on social media, email the Greenleaf Platform Development team to learn more about how we can assist you.