Author Website Design: 10 Rookie Mistakes Romance Writers Should Avoid
You’re writing the books. Building the brand. Getting readers to care.
But if your website looks like it was built in 2013—or worse, on a free template you found at 2am—it’s probably doing more harm than good.
Let’s fix that.
This post breaks down the 10 biggest mistakes we see romance authors make with their sites—and how to avoid every single one.
Why Author Website Design Still Matters in 2025
Your author website is your HQ.
Social media can boost visibility. Retailers can distribute your books. But your site?
That’s where you:
- Control the experience
- Grow your list
- Showcase your brand
- Convert casual browsers into real buyers
If it’s a mess? Readers won’t stick around. Or worse—they won’t come back.
10 Website Mistakes Romance Authors Still Make
1. No email opt-in
If your site doesn’t have a visible, compelling reason to join your list—you’re leaving your best leads behind.
Use your home page, about page, and even book pages to push a freebie that hooks readers (bonus chapter, novella, trope-based quiz, etc.).
2. Outdated design
You write in 2025. Your site shouldn’t look like 2011.
Too many fonts, dark backgrounds, pixelated graphics? That signals to readers that you don’t care. Clean, current design builds instant trust.
3. Hard-to-find book links
Your book pages need:
- Clear “Buy Now” buttons
- Direct links to retailers and/or your own shop
- No dead ends
Don’t make readers scroll for what they came for.
4. No mobile optimization
Most of your traffic is on phones. If your site is clunky, slow, or broken on mobile—you’re losing them before they see a single blurb.
Test your entire site on a phone. Tap every link. Try to buy your own book. If anything breaks, fix it now.
5. Poor branding
Your website should feel like your book covers, your social, and your vibe.
That means:
- Consistent colors and fonts
- A recognizable logo or wordmark
- Clear genre cues (readers should know it’s romance at a glance)
6. Bad navigation
If your menu is overloaded—or worse, missing key links—readers will click out before they find what they need.
You need 5 core links: Home, About, Books, Blog (optional), Contact. Keep it simple.
7. Missing or vague bio
Your “About” page isn’t filler. It’s one of the most-clicked spots on any author site.
Readers want to know who’s behind the books. Give them something personal, brief, and relevant to your genre tone.
8. Confusing series layout
If you write series (and most romance authors do), your book layout needs to be clear:
- Series order
- Reading sequence
- What’s standalone vs connected
Group your books. Label your series. Avoid the chaos.
9. Hidden contact info
Make it easy for readers, bloggers, and influencers to reach out. That doesn’t mean posting your phone number—just a simple contact form and/or author email.
Add it to the footer too. More visibility = more opportunities.
10. No clear next step
Every page should guide the reader:
- Sign up for your list
- Buy a book
- Join a readalong
- Follow you on Instagram
Don’t just give info. Give them a reason to act.
Want Your Site Reviewed by a Pro?
You don’t need to DIY everything.
Our Custom Website Design Services were built for romance authors who want a site that looks gorgeous and sells books.
We’ll review your current site, design your new one, and set you up with:
- Genre-perfect design
- Easy-to-update layout
- Built-in sales strategy
- Launch-ready setup
Book Your Meet Cute and let’s rebuild your online home the way it should be.