32 Responses to “Wondering about Websites”

1. I want author websites to be easy to navigate, not too cluttered, with a list of the books they have written, preferably with a reading order if it is a connected series. I hate it when you can’t figure out where a book, or even worse an novella that is part of a series sits.

   by Marg on January 9th, 2007 at 6:50 am
   
   

2. Like Marg, I like a website that is easy to navigate. I usually go to the authors websites to find out about new books or the reading order of books she already has out, or to get a book list. I’ll also go in and see if there is a contest going on. I have bought books I didn’t have of an author before because I stopped at their website. Not because of an excerpt, but because I was checking out the book list and found I didn’t have a book that was either needed trilogy, or I just liked her writing and I want to get all her books. :grin:

   by Tammy G. on January 9th, 2007 at 7:38 am
   
   

3. It’s a daily habit for me to check author web site/blog. I love the sites that are updated regularly, talk about what’s going on with their work, and have a section for writers. As an aspiring author, I rely on their wisdom and advice.

   What I hate are sites that play music. Even though I’m a real music lover, it’s distracting — especially when you hate the song!

   by Denise on January 9th, 2007 at 8:43 am
   
   

4. Great points so far! Denise, I’ve considered putting up some sort of writer resource page on my website, perhaps links to great articles, books, etc. Maybe I’ll have to launch something like that in the spring.
   And like Marge and Tammy, I also like to know what books an author has out (and if it’s a series, what order to read them in). If it’s a favorite author, it’s good to be able to check and see if there are any books out there that I’ve missed:???:

   by Gail Barrett on January 9th, 2007 at 8:53 am
   
   

5. Easy navigation is top of the list. No cutesy names for the links to bios, booklists, FAQs…somethimes it is hard to figure out what they mean and you waste time looking for specific info. NO FLASH!! Some older browsers don’t support it. There are a couple of author sites I can’t visit on my PC due to this. I have to use the notebook
   to see them which has a much smaller screen…annoying!!!!
   I think it is important for an author to have a website and if it has a blog…well, its just that much better to me!

   by Angie T on January 9th, 2007 at 10:18 am
   
   

6. I find blogs very informative. I came across one author in 2006 whose site said newest books 2004-05. Right there that really shut me off. I mean come on, at least up date your site once a year.

   by Joyce on January 9th, 2007 at 10:29 am
   
   

7. I like to be able to read an author’s blog and to see what they’re reading. I like recommendations for other authors, I also like an easy to navigate website. It can be difficult to go through all the clutter when I’m looking for something in particular, and I’m with Angie on the no cutesy name thing. I hate that.

   by Maria Duncan on January 9th, 2007 at 10:32 am
   
   

8. I check sites and blogs from my work computer–which has dial-up, and I can’t afford to wait for intricate graphics to download. I also dislike music on author sites. And yep, I have bought books after visiting an author’s site!

   by Robin Bayne on January 9th, 2007 at 10:35 am
   
   

9. I really enjoy checking out author websites. I like hearing about what the author is working on next. It’s also the best way to find out which books come first in a series. Many times I will buy a book and then get home and find out it’s part of a series and have to check out the author’s site to see what I am missing. I like the sites to have neat graphics but not overloaded with them. I also like to be able to read a little excerpt about each book (especially a new author) to see if I’m intrigued enough to want to go buy the book. Lisa Jackson used to have a scavenger hunt contest on her site which was really cool. I just love the creativity and uniqueness each author uses because their website represents them.

   by Janet on January 9th, 2007 at 11:36 am
   
   

10. I like authors to keep their websites up to date. Especially if they have a blog and the last entry they made was over a month ago. After awhile I will just give up checking on it. I also don’t like it to be cluttered and to have easy access to excerpts. I like to be kept informed on upcoming books as well.

    by Cherie Japp on January 9th, 2007 at 11:48 am
    
    

11. I agree with Robin. I’m also on dial-up and I hate having to wait until everything loads. I also like it whent he authors keep their sites up to date with the latest information.

    by Carol on January 9th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
    
    

12. Blogs are very informatiive and I check author websites with blogs more often, the other one I check once a month to see if something is new.

    I absolutely don’t like booktrailer, they don’t help me to decide if I buy the book or not. More important are blurbs and excerpts

    by Danny on January 9th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
    
    

13. I like it when author’s have websites that are designed to reflect their writing. For example: if the author writes about vampires, then I think their website should have related themes. Laurell K Hamilton has bats that follow your mouse on her website. It is fun as well as very appropriate.

    I don’t want the website to be too complicated. They should have buttons that take you directly to their books, bio, contact, and upcoming. I hate it when you go to a website and you can’t figure out how to see what the author is working on or even what their backlist is.

    Simple, to the point, but fun. That is my idea of a good author website.

    by Shannon Upright on January 9th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
    
    

14. I love sites that are easy to navigate, have excerpts and info about all books (even out-of-print ones), list the order of books and if any are connected, and are fun. I have bought books after reading excerpts online.

    by Jennifer Y. on January 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
    
    

15. I find it interesting that many of you have mentioned blogs. I thought about doing a blog but wasn’t sure I really had that much to say, particularly on a daily basis (although my husband would be surprised to hear that!). :neutral:.
    Danny - your comment about not liking trailers intrigued me. Book trailers are the latest fad and the authors’ loops are all buzzing with how great they are. I’d be interested in hearing if others like them or not. When I was on dial-up, I couldn’t view them.

    by Gail Barrett on January 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
    
    

16. I never ever bother watching trailers. I read to read and use my imagination. If I wanted images I’d go see a movie. I do like to read blogs. Gail, don’t worry if you have nothing to sayabout your daily life. It’s people’s different views that I’m interested in reading on blogs, what movies they are watching, what authors they are reading, etc.

    by mary on January 9th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
    
    

17. I usually go to the authors websites to find out about new books or the reading order of books she already has out, or to get a book list. I’ll also go in and see if there is a contest going on.
    I really enjoy blogs and find it best if the entries are kept fairly recent.

    by RobynL on January 9th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
    
    

18. I agree with much of what everyone else has said. Easy to navigate. Light background color with contrasting print - some are impossible to read and I won’t change my settings. Personal and fun bio, not just facts. List of books with series noted and in order. Excerps that don’t go on foreveeeeeeer. Contests - everyone loves to win! (Have discovered many favorite authors this way.) Blogs - if up-to-date and interesting.
    No-Nos - in my opinion:
    *Cutesy names
    *Music
    *FLASH
    *My Space
    *Book trailers

    by Karen B on January 9th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
    
    

19. Oh, the thing that always brings me back to a site is to see what’s coming up. And of course, contests, but ultimately we have to know when the next book is coming out to pick up! :)

    Lois

    by Lois on January 9th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
    
    

20. OK. Now that a few of you have mentioned it, what is FLASH? (Sorry to be showing my ignorance here.)

    by Gail Barrett on January 9th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
    
    

21. I view authors websites often and have various authors blogs that I visit daily. I like to go to them to read exerpts from their upcoming books. I usually check to see if they are running any monthly contests. I also usually sign up for their newsletters if they have one. This keeps me informed on various things from them so I don’t have to visit their sites as often.

    by Teresa Warner on January 9th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
    
    

22. I think Flash is those book trailers. And I’d have to be another one of those people who could do without them. I’ve not yet seen one that made me say: “I need to go get that book!”.

    As for things I do like on a webpage…
    1. Has to be up-to-date
    2. Easy to nagivate (I agree that those cutsie page titles are annoying)
    3. Book info- past, present and future

    I generally stay away from individual author blogs. I much prefer those where they team up with other authors (like this one). There are a couple exeptions, and I think that is because they have found a unique way to draw people in.

    by Jennifer K. on January 9th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
    
    

23. Flash is a graphics animation program, like what is used in e-cards. You have to download and install a “plug-in” or program to make those files work. A good example is Cherry Adair’s site.

    by Angie T on January 9th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
    
    

24. Got it! Flash was one of the things my computer was too slow for when I was on dial-up. I tried to get into Cherry’s website back then, but couldn’t. It’s a phenomenal site with amazing and exciting animation, but I certainly couldn’t get it to load on my computer until I switched to a high-speed connection.

    by Gail Barrett on January 9th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
    
    

25. easy navagation is good and many pics.

    by KIM H on January 9th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
    
    

26. Gail I love the colors on your web-site - The blues and greens are very easy and pleasing to the eye. And, your web-site is super fast and easy to navigate. Which is a big plus for me.

    I enjoy visting authors web-sites. I’m especially pleased when books are listed in order (if they are a series) or, even if they are interconnected. I like to see and read bio’s on authors I enjoy. I couple of things that I really enjoy are trying different recipes, so it’s fun when authors have a recipe section. I don’t know if I can/should list authors names or not, but one in particular has her collections and information about them…I find that really interesting.

    After reading a book I really enjoy I will visit the authors web-site and check out her other books.

    by Christy on January 9th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
    
    

27. I like sites that are easy to navigate, excerpts to books out, and information about books that will soon be released.
    The main turn off I have to a site is when there are too many pictures or animation that makes my computer run slower, and therefore, take too long for the website to load. I’ll end up going to another site if that is the case.

    by Kathleen on January 9th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
    
    

28. Congratulations on winning the Silver Rose Award for your website! Your right to be proud because its a high compliment. Most websites are not too appealing and just the facts your looking for. Seldom do I return to a website because I enjoy the look and feel of it but yours is one I can say I feel that way about.
    In an authors website I look for many things. The tasteful way the site is designed and worded, easy links and pages download fast and simply, great artwork, information on the books I am looking for, excerpts, links to buy said books, etc. Of course I also enjoy little fun things to do on the site also. Say a puzzle of a book’s cover or a triva game. Contests of course. And contests also make a reader return every month, as well as all new excerpts. And a new post in the author’s blog too. Do I buy books recommended by other authors? Oh yes! If they go into detail what the story is about and why they liked it, chances are they will get me hooked up into the story and wanting to read it. I am very influenced by recommendations. Also by artwork, excerpts and reviews. I am one of those poeple who visits author websites for half or more of my time on the internet each week. I am relentless in my search for new authors and books to read.

    by April on January 9th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
    
    

29. Thank you all so much for the great comments. You’ll be happy to know that the pros agree with you. According to the final round judge in the Silver Rose contest, my site won because of the “very clear navigation, clean lines of the design, it’s easy to find what you are looking for on the site and it works very well in a variety of browsers.” He also liked the colors and thought the site was an effective marketing tool. However, one preliminary r0und judge didn’t like the blue as much, so I guess that is subjective.
    Several of you mentioned puzzles, so that’s something that I will definitely consider for the future. And I am quite relieved that book trailers aren’t something I need to obsess about at the moment.:!:
    Anyhow, I chose a winner at random (drew the name from a box) and Maria Duncan came up first. Maria — if you’ll contact me by email, I’d appreciate it (gail@gailbarrett.com).
    Thanks again everyone! Your comments were great.

    by Gail Barrett on January 10th, 2007 at 5:19 am
    
    

30. Big congrats Maria!

    by Danny on January 10th, 2007 at 11:03 am
    
    

31. wtg maria

    by KIM H on January 10th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
    
    

32. Thanks Gail and everyone!

    by Maria Duncan on January 10th, 2007 at 2:41 pm