Create the Perfect Author Website Header and Footer

Introduction

Module 3 of our Build an Author Website course takes you through an essential step in crafting a professional online presence: creating and customising your website’s header and footer. These elements may seem minor, but they have a major impact on how visitors perceive your site, navigate it, and interact with your content.

Your website’s header is the first thing visitors see, making it a powerful tool to showcase your branding and provide easy access to key pages. Similarly, the footer serves as a functional anchor for your site, offering helpful navigation, copyright details, and links to your social profiles. Together, they frame your site with professionalism and ensure your readers find what they need effortlessly.

In this module, you’ll learn to design and build headers and footers that align perfectly with your author brand. Even if you’ve never touched a web design tool before, our step-by-step lessons break the process into manageable tasks, guiding you from setup to completion.

What You’ll Learn in Module 3

1. Create a Custom Header for Your Author Website: Learn to design a striking header that instantly communicates your brand and sets the tone for your website.

2. Add a Logo to Your Author Website Header: Make your site memorable by incorporating your custom logo or branding into the header.

3. Add a Menu to the Author Website Header: Create intuitive navigation so readers can easily explore your content and find your books, blog, or contact page.

4. Build a Custom Footer Layout for Your Author Website: Construct a functional footer layout tailored to your needs, ensuring consistent branding and helpful links.

5. Populate Footer Columns for Your Author Website: Organise footer content into clear, logical sections, such as a newsletter sign-up, quick links, or “About the Author.”

6. Add Social Links and Copyright to Your Footer: Connect with readers by linking to your social media profiles and adding professional copyright details.

Why This Matters

Headers and footers are often overlooked but are critical to user experience and branding. A well-designed header ensures visitors instantly recognise your author identity and can navigate your site with ease. Meanwhile, a thoughtfully crafted footer consolidates key links and reinforces your professionalism, helping to build trust with your audience.

By the end of this module, you’ll have a polished, fully customised header and footer that set your website apart. Whether you’re promoting a new book, building your email list, or simply sharing your story, these elements will elevate your site and make a lasting impression on your readers.

Let’s transform your site into a professional hub that showcases your author brand and keeps readers coming back for more! Ready to dive in? Start with the first lesson today!