Build an Author Website

Build a complete author website using WordPress with this free beginner-friendly course. Attract your audience, grow your mailing list, and drive book sales!

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Course Curriculum

This course is designed as a beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide, requiring no prior knowledge of web design or WordPress. It’s divided into eight comprehensive modules, each focusing on a key aspect of building a professional and successful author website. Here’s what you’ll learn:

01. Build a Starter Website for Authors

Learn how to build a secure, fast, high-performing, and SEO-friendly foundation for your author website. We’ll start by streamlining your WordPress installation, stripping it back to the essentials, applying optimal settings, and adding only the plugins you truly need.

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02. Brand Your Website

Module 2 teaches you to create a cohesive, professional brand for your author website using Breakdance. Learn to customise colours, typography, and global settings, craft a Style Guide, and design presets for consistent, user-friendly layouts that reflect your unique author identity.

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03. Header & Footer

Module 3 teaches you how to create a professional header and footer for your author website. You'll build a responsive header with a logo and menu that enhances branding and navigation. You'll also build a multi-column footer layout, adding links, calls to action, social media links, and copyright information.

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04. Books Custom Post Type

Module 4 shows you how to create a Books Custom Post Type with ACF, adding dynamic layouts, star ratings, and series details for professional, SEO-friendly book pages.

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05. Single Book Template

Module 5 teaches you to build dynamic book templates with Breakdance, featuring hero sections, ratings, CTAs, reviews, and post loops to showcase books and boost engagement.

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06. Book Archive Templates

Module 6 guides you to create dynamic genre, series, and book archives in Breakdance, enhancing navigation, SEO, and reader discovery on your author website.

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07. Forms for Authors

Module 7 covers creating contact and newsletter forms, thank you pages, and email integrations to boost reader engagement, grow your audience, and increase conversions.

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08. Essential Web Pages

Module 8 covers creating a privacy policy, About page, and homepage to build trust, engage readers, and boost conversions.

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Try out a lesson

Add Reader Reviews to Your Author Website Book Pages

Stephen Gordon 10/12/2024

Learn how to add custom fields for reviews to your book pages. Showcase star ratings and feedback to convert more visitors into readers.

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Create an Engaging About the Author Page

Stephen Gordon 13/12/2024

Build a captivating About the Author page that reveals your story, connects with readers, and boosts engagement using strategic bios and compelling visuals.

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Display Your Latest Book Releases with a Post Loop

Stephen Gordon 10/12/2024

Add a dynamic latest releases section to your author website with a Breakdance post loop, displaying new titles in a sleek, responsive grid layout.

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Choose a Background Colour for Your Author Website

Stephen Gordon 23/11/2024

Learn how to select a background colour for your author website to enhance readability, provide contrast, and align with your branding using Breakdance settings.

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Style Global Buttons for Your Author Website

Stephen Gordon 23/11/2024

Learn to style global buttons for your author website using Breakdance, ensuring consistent branding, seamless hover effects, and professional design across all pages.

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Install Breakdance Page Builder

Stephen Gordon 27/10/2024

Learn how to install the Breakdance Page Builder for your author website. Follow these easy steps to install this powerful tool, boosting your online presence and brand.

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Dynamic Book Layouts with WordPress Custom Post Types

Stephen Gordon 09/12/2024

Create dynamic WordPress book layouts with custom post types and templates. Automate CTAs, series updates, and styling to save time and engage readers.

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Set Link Colours for a User-Friendly Author Website

Stephen Gordon 23/11/2024

Learn how to set link colours for your author website to enhance usability, draw attention to key links, and maintain consistent branding across your pages.

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how to export and import breakdance page builder settings for author websites

Export and Import Breakdance Settings

Stephen Gordon 27/10/2024

Learn to export and import Breakdance settings easily for a consistent author website setup across multiple sites, saving time and effort with every build.

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Writers Building Websites

Writers Building Websites

Build an Author Website

Course Curriculum

Try out a lesson

Add Reader Reviews to Your Author Website Book Pages

Create an Engaging About the Author Page

Display Your Latest Book Releases with a Post Loop

Choose a Background Colour for Your Author Website

Style Global Buttons for Your Author Website

Install Breakdance Page Builder

Dynamic Book Layouts with WordPress Custom Post Types

Set Link Colours for a User-Friendly Author Website

Export and Import Breakdance Settings

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