I’ve had a website for a couple years now. Since officially launching it on October 31, 2005, I’ve had the same look. In case you’ve missed it, go here
So, here’s my question… What changes do you suggest? What do you like to see on an author website? What isn’t necessary? Colors? Home page look? What are your toughts?
I have a Starbucks $20 gift card for someone who leaves some suggestions. That will buy you about five (5) grande eggnog or other holiday lattes of your choosing. I’ll pick a winner at random by Friday and will post it in the comments section.
Thanks for the help!
I like the lay-out of the site – it’s clean and very easy to navigate, which is a plus, and it loads up fast, which is the most important aspect of any page (I hate having to wait a few minutes because a song being uploaded slows down the whole process, not that I have anything against music). If I were to change anything, it would be the color, everything else works great.
I would leave the books as is. That way if we wish we can go to the excerpt or not. Maybe make the covers small so that more fits on the page easier.
Hi,
Thanks for offering us some early Christmas presents.
I really have no suggestions to improve or change your blog. It is easy to navigate and that is the most important to me. you don’t have to hunt for anything.
I do like a colorful blog, contests, excerpts on new books. This doesnt apply to you, but some sites offer contests but never announce who won. That I really do not like. I like to see it announced on the site.
I also know it is a pain to hunt down winners, but I also wouldnt mind an email telling me I won, just in case I didnt get time to check out the blog. After that email and the announcement on the blog, a time limit should be in effect if there is no reply.
Well that is my two cents worth. LOL.
I like the web site a lot. I have recently read an interesting article on author web sites which I found very informative (If you or anyone is interested, it can be found here: http://www.writersinoxford.org/authors-websites.htm) because at this moment I am also re-creating my web site (although I am not a published author yet, they say to start early, right?).
I find your web site easy to read, easy to navigate, simple, modern and elegant. It’s really good. I guess if you want to change it, you can go for the colors, the phone theme, or other small and decorative things like that, keeping the main structure as is, because it doesn’t have a fault. I like how the blog is perfectly integrated in the design. I am going to bookmark your web site as reference for nicely-done author sites that I can learn from.
I would have liked a photo on the MeetHelen page, though. That’s the only thing that I find missing.
Keep the books. Maybe update your graphics to something more contemporary. And keep the content coming! The writing is far more important than the graphical lingerie
As long as it is easy to navigate and pleasant to look out, I am good. And yours is. Thanks for asking, tho’. LOL.
I agree with Margay – I prefer a nice clean look. And I know you won’t do it, but if you get glitter/moving graphics, I might cry. (In a bad way.)
I also forgot to mention – I like how user friendly your site is. The links are clear, and take you to exactly what they say. No rat race or maze trying to go from one thing to another, or hidden book pages etc.
I think the content is great and hope that doesn’t change much. Although now that I look at it again… the home page… maybe some changes? It seems a bit… sparse. I will say I love how your home page is a home page, and I don’t have to click “enter” nor am I forced to watch a trailer or anything. Maybe a few “important updates” on the homepage – big things you’re up to, upcoming books, release dates, that sort of thing. Like a mini “important events” calendar. I don’t like a lot of clutter, but it’s nice to know when a book will be coming (before even amazon knows, sometimes)!
will there be a dec contest for brava ty
I like the cleanliness and easy to navigate factor of your page. But, do feel it could do with just a bit more color. Nothing major, just to dilute all the white.
Your website is crisp looking and easy to navigate. I like it just the way it is.
I like the looks as it is clean and easy to navigate. I also like a site that has a white or light colored background as it makes it easier to read. I like to enter a site without having to listen to music or watch something and then use the ‘enter’key.
I like it when a website I have been visiting for a while changes their look. They just did that over at Access Romance and I like it. I like when a site changes the color or the set-up. I like bright colors and links that make it easy to navigate a site.
HelenKay, your site is so easy to navigate. The only thing I could think of is maybe changing your colors. It’s a really great site already.
I like the current color scheme. I wish the excerpts for the books were longer.
I like the clean lines of the site the way it is now, but perhaps a different background color outside of the text in the middle would be nice. Something that isn’t too harsh on a computer screen but fits your personality.
on the front homepage I like seeing your most recent book release(s) and a welcome note… that always catches my eye and causes me to continue through the site if the author is new to me
about your site I really like how easy it is to navigate and the only thing I can suggest changing is the color scheme and maybe adding a little welcome not on the homepage
I like the fact that it is so easy to find what you want.
Maybe to change it up, use alittle more color, spread the links around the page for fun.
I like the look of your site. I can’t think of one thing to add to it. It’s great and easy to navigate. Maybe add a writing in progess section to it, to let readers know what to look forward to for your books.
Hi HelenKay!!
Congrats on the new release of HOT AS HELL and the Christmas Anthologies. Those are great to look forward to from Brava each year and neat you were in this one!
I’ve visited your site quite a bit
I checked your site and I do like when I’m at Authors sites, to see a list too of different things, like what you recommend in reading (what would you recommend in between your books!), movies, and other tibits like sites and all that you visit. Its almost like more of a bio but more of you as a reader, as a woman too. Too FAQ about your books, related books and all is good to have for new readers. I find it real easy to navigate through your site. You have it listed so well that I don’t have to go far to find more, you have it all there with the book!.
good nativgator is good. with solid colors and easy to find catorgiories
I like your website, but understand the need for a change.
I personally don’t like black backgrounds. They always give a creepy feel and make some of the wording look funny.
Hi,
I like the deco motifs on your website. I think, though, that the border of the website should have a matching deco motif instead of just plain black.Just as a suggestion also, you could change the picture of the woman with the telephone to something that is a little different except it also matches the glam deco that you have on your motifs. I’m thinking something like, a champagne glass or something of that nature? The fonts are readable yet plain, I like times new roman bold. It’s simple and readable yet it looks great with the clear type font.
I have to agree that I like it. I personally like the white color. There is nothing worse than sites that are black or dark and you can’t read the words without highlighting them. I don’t care for the too busy sites either because they take up too much time loading. You have all the important links that I like.
Thanks for all the feedback!!! I’m thinking at the very least a color change is in order.
And the winner is…Danielle A. – congrats!!!! Email me and I’ll get that out to you.
Congratulations, Danielle!
wtg danielle
Congrats, Danielle.