The Power of a One-Page Author Website
“Never overlook the power of simplicity.”
Robin S. Sharma
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE:
7 Ways a Streamlined Structure Can Boost Your Author Site
#1. The Power of Simplicity: Less is More
#2. Enhanced User Experience
#3. Conversion Optimization
#4. Streamlined Content Management
#5. Branding and Aesthetic Control
#6. The Psychological Power of a One-Page Website
#7. Case Studies and Real-World Examples
Potential Limitations of a One-Page Website
7 Ways a Streamlined Structure Can Boost Your Author Site
In today’s digital landscape, an author’s website isn’t just a passive online presence—it’s a crucial part of their brand, their marketing strategy, and their ability to connect with readers.
But what makes an author’s website effective?
A website’s structure plays a massive role. It’s not just about having a site; it’s about how easily visitors can navigate the site, how quickly they can find information, and how engaged they become with the author’s work.
Many authors assume a website with more pages is better. However, a one-page website offers numerous advantages that often get overlooked.
Which option is best for you? Let’s dive in and find out!
1. The Power of Simplicity: Less is More
One of the most significant advantages of a one-page website is its simplicity. A single page means visitors don’t have to sift through multiple sections to find the information they want. Instead, everything is presented in one clear, streamlined package.
Clarity and Focus:
When you condense all the essential elements of your author brand—your bio, books, and contact information—into one page, the message becomes simple and direct. There’s no confusion about where to click or which section to explore first. This clean presentation lets readers quickly understand who you are, what you write, and how they can engage with your work.
Example: If you’re an author with one or two books, a one-page site lets you highlight your bio and your books without forcing visitors to click to find information. Your latest book can be featured prominently, and a clear "Buy Now" button ensures potential readers don’t have to search for where to take action.
2. Enhanced User Experience
User experience (UX) is key when it comes to keeping visitors on your site and encouraging them to interact with your content.
Easy Navigation:
With all of your content on one page, there’s no need for complicated navigation menus or multiple clicks to get from one section to another. Everything can be easily scrolled through or accessed via simple anchor links (e.g., "Learn more about the author" or "Read about my latest book").
This easy navigation is especially important for mobile users, who make up a significant portion of web traffic today.
Faster Load Times:
One-page websites typically load faster, which means visitors are less likely to bounce off the site. A slow-loading website can result in a poor first impression, and studies show that even a one-second delay can decrease conversion rates by up to 7%.
3. Conversion Optimization
The goal of any author's website is conversion, which means turning visitors into readers (or buyers). A one-page website can make this process smoother and more effective.
Clear Calls to Action:
One-page websites ensure that your calls to action (CTAs) are visible and immediately accessible. Whether it’s a button to buy your book, sign up for your newsletter, or follow you on social media, a one-page site puts these actions front and center.
Example: As someone lands on your page, they immediately see a large, eye-catching CTA such as “Get My Latest Novel Now!” That CTA could appear again further down the page after they read your bio or the synopsis of your latest book, guiding them naturally toward taking action.
Focused Lead Generation:
With everything on one page, you can strategically place opt-in forms and CTAs where visitors are most likely to convert. Whether it's a free chapter of your book or a newsletter sign-up, you ensure it’s front and center.
4. Streamlined Content Management
As an author, you probably don’t want to spend all your time managing your website. A one-page site makes it easy to keep everything up-to-date because you only need to update…well, one page. Whether you have new books to add, changes in upcoming events, or want to update your bio, you can do it all in one location.
5. Branding and Aesthetic Control
Branding is a vital part of an author’s identity. Your website should not only convey information about your books, but it should also reflect your unique voice, style, and genre. A one-page website makes it simple to present a clean and cohesive brand.
Impression of Sophistication and Modernity:
A well-designed one-page site can exude sophistication and modernity. The minimalist approach has become increasingly popular among designers for personal and business websites. It creates an impression of forward-thinking, especially if you use smooth animations and well-placed images.
6. The Psychological Power of a One-Page Website
No Distractions, Just Action:
A key psychological principle in web design is cognitive load. Although it may seem counterintuitive, studies prove that the more options people are given, the harder it is for the human brain to make decisions.
People say they love options. So then, why will a stand at a farmer’s market selling two types of honey almost always sell more than a stand selling ten flavors of honey?
Simply put, there is a higher cognitive load. Choosing between ten flavors creates more work for the brain, which causes people to feel overwhelmed and increases the chance they will walk away without choosing any honey at all.
This is sometimes referred to as the Paradox of Choice.
The same holds true with websites. Can you remember a time you visited a site, became overwhelmed with the number of tabs, buttons, and choices, and simply left?
A one-page website removes unnecessary clutter and directs users’ attention to what matters most—your writing and your call to action. No muss, no fuss.
Example: Imagine a reader who has just finished reading your bio and gets immediately directed to your newest book. Below that section, they see a powerful testimonial from a reader, followed by the purchase button. This creates a direct, frictionless path to conversion.
7. Case Studies and Real-World Examples
Yours Truly
My author site is currently a single page. It has plenty of space to share my published short stories and author bio, as well as showcase previous courses and conferences I have attended. The design is tailored towards literary agents, as I am currently querying my first full-length WIP.
Having all my content on a single page makes it extremely easy for an agent to continue scrolling and see everything I want to share with them. If my site were divided into multiple pages, the chance that a literary agent would click on every page to consume all of my content would be lower.
Plus, the website’s structure and branding are designed to give an impression of professionalism and modernism; in essence, that I am someone who knows what they are doing and takes their career seriously.
In short, I want a literary agent to visit my website, be impressed, and read all the information it contains.
Destiny Howell, Middle-Grade Author
Before working with me, Destiny’s website had four pages. However, each page had very little content, and clicking through four different pages to get information on her novels created a higher lift for readers. That increased the chance that website visitors would leave without seeing all the information Destiny wanted to share!
While Destiny’s new design is technically two pages, everything related to her novels is on the homepage. Now, instead of having to click three times to navigate four different pages, people visiting Destiny’s website simply have to scroll through a single page.
Just think of the last time you were on your phone…how easy is it to continue scrolling versus if you have to start clicking through different links? Night and day!
Now, when readers land on Destiny’s site, it is effortless for them to scroll through and consume all the content related to her novels. Her latest book release, her author bio, glowing reviews of her books, a contact form to schedule an author visit — it’s all on the homepage!
Click here for a two-minute video that walks through the before & after of Destiny’s site.
Plus, creating a seamless one-page design that encompasses all the information related to her novels freed Destiny up to create a bonus page. This second page on her site contains all her other creative endeavors - for like many creatives, she has more than one art form.
In addition to novels, Destiny also writes interactive stories, produces podcasts, and creates TTRPG adventure books. Before, these projects were relegated to a single paragraph in her author bio. Now, they have room to shine!
Potential Limitations of a One-Page Website
While one-page websites offer numerous benefits, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some authors may find that the simplicity of a single-page site doesn’t fit their needs, and there are a few limitations to keep in mind.
Limitations on Content Depth:
One of the main drawbacks of a one-page website is the limitation on content. Authors with many books, a vast portfolio of works, or additional endeavors (such as offering developmental edits or query critique services to writers) will find it challenging to condense all of this into one page without overwhelming visitors.
This is why I recommend one-page websites for authors who have written 1-5 books AND are only looking to promote things directly related to their books.
Once you’ve published a large number of novels — or if you have multiple creative endeavors, like Destiny — then a larger website might fit your needs better.
For instance, you may have a homepage that overviews all your books, a second page detailing a book series you have published, and a third page detailing an author course you offer. The opportunities are endless!
Just remember that the larger your website becomes, the more vital it is to have a strategic structure in place so visitors don’t get lost or confused. You can take a look at this two-minute video for an example of how a lack of structure can weaken your website.
Also, you can always begin with a one-page site and add new pages as needed. Your literary career will grow and change over the years, and your website should, too!
Conclusion: When to Choose a One-Page Website
A one-page website is an excellent choice for many authors, particularly those looking to create a clean and focused online presence.
The Ideal Candidate:
You have published 1 - 5 books.
Your CTAs are all directly related to your books. Selling your novels, author newsletter, book signing events, etc.
You are not interested in blogging.
Ultimately, Focus on What Feels Right For You
The best website for any author is one that serves their needs, fits their style, and effectively connects them with readers. There’s no wrong answer—just the one that helps you achieve your goals as a writer. And if you’re still unsure whether a one-page site is right for you, don’t stress! Book a free consultation, and let’s chat.
