How Often Should You Update Your Author Website?
As someone who designs websites for authors, I often get asked, "How often should I be updating my website?"
I completely understand the dilemma—life is busy, creativity pulls in many directions, and once your beautiful website is launched, it can be tempting to leave it be and focus on your next writing project. But keeping your site fresh and up-to-date is important, so here’s how I recommend approaching it in a realistic and manageable way.
Make sure your homepage reflects what’s happening now
Your homepage is your visitor's first impression. I always advise my clients that their homepage should showcase what’s current—whether it’s a new book release, an upcoming event, or a fresh media feature. This lets visitors know your author journey is ongoing and your site is active.
While I’m always a fan of showing your latest book release on your homepage, don’t hide your earlier titles completely. Often, a visitor comes to your website after reading one of your other books, so it’s a smart tactic to make sure they recognize they’re in the right place.
For example, out of my 6 published books, the first novel, Saving Saffron Sweeting, was by far the most successful. So when visitors go to my author website, I make sure that book is clearly visible. (Side note: because I now focus on my web design business, the website for my books is now very simple. But I still think it’s a good example of clean design and the information you should show your readers.)
Hide blog dates to avoid publishing pressure
I see many authors worry about maintaining a regular blog schedule because they feel the blog dates publicly "reveal" inactivity if posts aren’t frequent. To ease this pressure, I suggest hiding blog post dates or renaming the blog section to something like "Behind the Scenes" or "Additional Articles." This way, you can share valuable content without the stress of deadlines.
If you do hide your blog dates, but you post something date-sensitive (like an upcoming event or the date of your next book release), be sure to include the year in the information you share. That way, future website visitors won’t be left wondering if the event they’re reading about has already happened.
Update your website for new book releases … or at least once a year
Idealism aside, you don’t need to update your author website every week! Set a reminder that feels manageable. For many of my clients, that is:
A few times around each book release
And a minimum of once a year, since bios and other details tend to benefit from an annual refresh
For authors without frequent releases, a thoughtful website refresh once a year—updating your bio, copyright year, and any static content—is a great way to keep things current, but without overwhelm.
Book launches are perfect excuses to give your site a refresh.
New book releases naturally call for new content! You might add some or all of these to your site:
Title announcement
Cover reveal
Advance reader campaign
Pre-order available
Main release date
Signed copy available through your online store
Adding some reader praise
Announcing other editions (audio, foreign, etc.)
Related: Hidden pages every author website needs
Two of the easiest updates to make!
Here are my best two tips for the fastest, easiest changes you can make that show your website is current! In Squarespace, these should take you only 3-5 minutes each:
1) Update your Copyright year
Readers often have eagle eyes! If someone scrolls all the way down your website, don’t let them see an old copyright year in the footer.
In Squarespace: edit any page, scroll down and click edit footer, make the text edit, and save.
2) Update your announcement bar
This is a small, contrasting bar that sits at the top of your website (until dismissed) and is a handy place to quickly update with a message for the latest thing you’d like to promote. If you’re new to visiting me here, it’s likely you’ll have seen a banner at the top. Also check out the top of some of my client websites, like microdosingbook.com, colleensehy.com, and lisamanterfield.com, to see announcement bars in action.
In Squarespace, you’ll need the “Core” plan to use the announcement bar. And learn how to configure your announcement bar here.
Related:
Save 10% off your first subscription for a Squarespace website by using the code PAULINE10
Integrate other feeds, to keep your website looking fresh
If you’re regularly active on another platform, like Instagram or Substack, you can embed that feed in your Squarespace author website. That will keep your site looking fresh with zero work from you.
My Substack-Squarespace Power Up service, where I’ll take care of the key integrations for you
Focus on the most important action (your CTA)
Rather than beating yourself up about how often you update your website, keep top of mind the single most important action you want visitors to take. Is it joining your email list? Checking out your latest book? Make sure this next action is clear and easy.
Many of my clients assume that Buy My Book is the best call to action (CTA) for an author website. In fact, giving the visitor a reason to subscribe to your email list means you can build a long-term relationship with them, and tends to lead to better results overall.
Related: 33 reader magnet ideas for authors
Conclusion
Keeping your author website fresh isn’t about perfection or weekly updates—it’s about authenticity and relevancy in the eyes of your readers. Find a rhythm that feels doable, tie updates to your author journey, and keep the focus on what matters most to your audience.
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Are you ready to sell more books?
If you want an author website that engages your readers and sets you up for business results, let’s design, build, and launch your online home together. Learn more about working with me, and feel free to schedule a complimentary chat.
Popular resources for a powerful author website
50 step author website checklist (aka, 50 reasons to hire me to do it for you!)
Save 10% off your first subscription for a Squarespace website by using the code PAULINE10
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