How to Build a One-Page Book Website

ByFrank Deardurff

You wrote a book. It’s on Amazon. Now what? Does it really need its own book website?

A lot of authors stop there. And I get it. Writing the book was the hard part, right? But here’s the problem: Amazon doesn’t give you your readers. You don’t get their email addresses. You can’t tell them when your next book comes out. And if someone hears about your book and searches for it, they land on a page you don’t control, surrounded by other people’s books.

That’s why every book needs its own book website. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated. One page is plenty.

Here’s a video where I build one, start to finish:

Why a one-page book website works

A one-page book site keeps things focused. Your visitor came for one reason: to find out about your book. Give them everything they need on one scrolling page, and point them toward one action: buy the book (or join your list).

It’s also fast to build, easy to maintain, and you can always add more later.

Step 1: Get a domain

You have two good options:

  • The book title: yourbooktitle.com. Great for marketing a single book.
  • Your author name: yourname.com. Better long-term if you plan to write more books.

Many authors do both: an author site, plus a book-title domain that points to the book’s page. Domains are cheap, so grab the book title even if you don’t use it right away.

You can pick up a domain, hosting and email in one place at Just Ask Domains.

Step 2: Plan what goes on the page

Here’s the order I like, top to bottom:

  1. The hero: your book cover, the title, a one-line hook, and a big “Get the Book” button. If a visitor reads nothing else, they should know what the book is and where to buy it.
  2. What it’s about: two or three short paragraphs. Focus on what the reader gets, not a summary of every chapter.
  3. Who it’s for: a few bullet points. “This book is for you if…”
  4. What readers are saying: real reviews or quotes from real readers. (Pull them from Amazon or ask early readers for permission.)
  5. About the author: a short bio and a friendly photo. Why should they listen to you?
  6. A free sample or bonus: offer the first chapter, a checklist or a worksheet in exchange for an email address. This is how you build your list.
  7. Buy buttons again: link every place the book is sold: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, your own store.

Step 3: Build it

You don’t need anything fancy. A WordPress site with a lightweight theme works great, and so do simpler page builders. What matters:

  • It looks good on a phone. Most visitors will see it there first.
  • It loads fast. Compress your cover image and keep things simple.
  • The buy button is easy to find, at the top and again at the bottom.

Step 4: Connect your email list

That free sample or bonus only works if it’s connected to an email service that delivers it automatically. Set up a simple welcome email that sends the freebie and tells new readers a little about you.

I use Flodesk for this. It’s simple to set up, and the forms and emails look great without a lot of fiddling. If you sign up through my Flodesk link, you’ll get 25% off your first year (and I get a small referral credit).

Then, when your next book comes out, you have people to tell.

Step 5: Use it everywhere

Once it’s live, your book site becomes the link you share:

  • In your email signature
  • On your social media profiles
  • In the back of the book itself
  • On podcast interviews and guest posts
  • On your business cards

Every time someone visits, you have a chance to sell a book and start a relationship with a reader.

Common mistakes

  • No email signup. You’re sending all your traffic to Amazon and keeping nothing.
  • Too much text. It’s a book page, not the book.
  • A low-quality cover image. Your cover is your first impression. Use a crisp, high-resolution version.
  • Only one buy link. Not everybody shops on Amazon.

The bottom line

A one-page book site is one of the best things you can do for your book, and for your next one. It gives readers a home base, gives you an email list, and makes you look like the professional author you are.

Need a cover that stands out on that page? Check out iMakeBookCovers. And if you’d rather have the whole site built for you, get in touch.