Website design for Christian authors
A Christian author website has one job that outranks all the others: turning a reader who just finished the book into someone you can contact again. The email list matters more than the design, the layout or the number of pages. Builds start at $1,200 and most authors need only 3 pages.
What does an author website need?
Four things: the books with a clear way to buy, who the author is, a way to make contact, and a way to hear about the next book.
The last is the one most authors treat as optional and the one that compounds. Readers who finish a book and leave are gone; readers who join a list can be told about the next one.
Why does the email list matter more than the design?
Because it is the only audience an author owns. Social platforms change what they show and to whom; a publisher's reach applies to one title.
An email list built over three books is an asset the author controls entirely, and it is the single most reliable predictor of a successful next launch.
Should the site sell books directly?
Usually not. Direct sales mean handling payments, shipping and returns, which is real ongoing work for a margin most authors will not miss.
Linking to retailers is simpler and matches how readers buy. Direct selling becomes worthwhile for signed copies or self-published work where the margin is the point.
What do publishers look for?
Evidence of an audience. A publisher assessing a proposal will look at the website, and specifically at whether there is a list and how large it is.
A current site with a clear list is a small investment that affects a much larger decision.
How many pages does an author site need?
Three is enough for most authors: the books, who you are, and a way to keep in touch. A fourth page for speaking or media makes sense once those enquiries start arriving.
The Basic package at $1,200 covers exactly this size. The Medium package at $2,000 covers up to 5 subpages, which suits an author with several titles and a media page.
Building larger than this before the audience exists is a common and expensive mistake. Pages can be added later at a quoted price; nothing about starting small prevents growth.
Work in this area
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a blog?
Only if you will keep writing it. An abandoned blog dated two years ago suggests the author stopped working, which is the opposite of the intended impression.
Should I use my name as the domain?
Yes, where it is available. Authors outlast individual books, and a domain tied to one title becomes wrong at the next.
What if I only have one book?
A three-page site is enough: the book, the author, and a way to keep in touch. It can grow as the list of titles does.
Can you set up the email list?
The sign-up form and its connection to a mailing provider are part of the build. Which provider you use is your choice and depends on list size and budget.
Do I need a media kit?
If you speak or give interviews, yes. A page with a photograph, a short biography and cover images saves considerable back-and-forth with event organisers.
Talk it through first
A short call costs nothing and usually clarifies whether this is the right next step for your organisation.
Get in touch