What Should a Romance Author Website Include?

If you’re a romance author building or rebuilding your website, you’ve probably asked yourself a simple but frustrating question:

What does my website actually need?

Between book sales, newsletters, social media, and writing the next release, it is easy to overthink your website or put it off entirely. This post breaks down what a romance author website truly needs and what it does not, so you can build something that supports your books, your readers, and your long-term career.

Why Your Romance Author Website Matters

Your website is the one place online that you fully own. Algorithms change. Platforms come and go. Your website is your permanent home base.

For romance authors specifically, your site should:

  • Clearly show readers what you write

  • Make it easy to start reading your books

  • Build trust and connection

  • Grow your email list

A good author website is not about being flashy. It is about being clear, intentional, and reader focused.

1. A Clear Homepage That Sets Expectations

When a reader lands on your website, they should immediately know:

  • Who you are

  • What kind of romance you write

  • What they should do next

Your homepage does not need to say everything. It needs to guide readers.

At minimum, your homepage should include:

  • Your author name

  • A short description of your genre or vibe such as dark romance, contemporary, or MM romance

  • A clear call to action like start reading, join the newsletter, or view books

If a reader has to hunt for what you write, they are likely to leave.

2. A Dedicated Books or Series Section

Your books should never be buried.

A strong romance author website makes it easy for readers to:

  • See all available books

  • Understand reading order

  • Choose where to buy

Depending on how many books you have, this might be:

  • A single books page

  • A series based layout

  • Individual pages for each book

What matters most is clarity. Readers should always know what to read first.

3. An Email List Sign Up Even If You Are New

If there is one thing every romance author website should include, it is a way to join your email list.

You do not need a massive audience for this to matter. Even with a small list, email is one of the most reliable ways to:

  • Reach readers directly

  • Share new releases

  • Build long term relationships

Your sign up does not have to be complicated. A simple form with a clear reason to join is enough to start.

4. An About Page That Feels Human

Your About page is not a resume. It is a connection point.

Romance readers often want to know who is behind the books they love. Your About page is where you can:

  • Share a bit of your story

  • Reinforce your genre and themes

  • Help readers feel like they know you

This page does not need to be long or overly personal. It just needs to feel real.

5. Mobile Friendly Design

Most readers will visit your website on their phone.

If your site is hard to navigate on mobile with tiny text, broken layouts, or slow loading, you are losing readers before they ever see your books.

A romance author website should:

  • Load quickly

  • Be easy to scroll

  • Keep buttons and links simple to tap

Mobile friendly design is no longer optional. It is expected.

6. Simple Navigation… Less Is More

More pages do not make a better website.

In fact, too many options can overwhelm readers. A strong author website usually sticks to:

  • Home

  • Books

  • About

  • Newsletter

  • Contact, if needed

Clear navigation helps readers move through your site without thinking, and that is exactly what you want.

What Your Romance Author Website Does Not Need

Just as important as what to include is what you can skip:

  • Fancy animations

  • Endless pages

  • Overly complex layouts

  • Constant updates

Your website should work for you, not become another source of stress.

Final Thoughts

A successful romance author website is not about doing everything at once. It is about building a solid foundation that supports your books and grows with you over time.

If your website clearly shows what you write, makes it easy to start reading, and gives readers a way to stay connected, you are already doing it right.

 

Want a Romance Author Website That Already Includes All of This?

Knowing what your website should include is one thing. Actually putting it together in a way that looks cohesive and intentional is another.

Billie Grace Studio website templates are designed specifically for romance authors, with all of these essentials built in from the start:

  • Clear homepage structure

  • Strategic book and series layouts

  • Email sign up sections

  • Reader focused navigation

If you want more support or personalization, Billie Grace Studio also offers semi custom and fully custom website options for authors who are ready for a more tailored experience.

If you want a professional website foundation without starting from scratch, you can explore the current templates here:

→ View Romance Author Website Templates

As Billie Grace Studio grows, this blog will continue sharing guidance to help romance authors create websites that feel aligned, intentional, and sustainable without unnecessary overwhelm.

 
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