How to Start a Children's Book Website

When creating a children's book website, your audience should impact how you design and market it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find a web host to start your website. Some sites are designed for authors and offer free or low cost hosting. For a customized site with multiple features hire a web site designer.

2. Decide on a website name. Include your name or relevant search terms such as "childrensbook" or "writer."

3. Include visuals such as book covers, photos, and illustrations from your books. Add in kid-friendly elements such as animation and cartoons, bright colorful designs, sound effects and simple navigation.

4. Add content to describe your children's book; include a page for each children book you've written. Readers guide, book descriptions and authors biography are features visitors look for.

5. Sell your work by including where your children's books can be purchased; add website links if available online.

6. Feature content to interest adults. Encourage parents, librarians and teachers to introduce your children's book to kids. Add website elements for deeper learning and knowledge, such as sections for lesson plans, articles and essays.

7. Utilize interactive elements for your children's website to entice kids. Create fun elements based around plot, characters and themes from your children's book. Crossword puzzles, quizzes, flash based games and polls are elements that can be updated frequently.

8. Create a blog and add to your children's book website. Keep the content fresh to encourage repeat visitors and comments.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you start your site, promotion is the key to getting visitors. Use social networking sites, promote in your email signature, join directories for children's books and participate in link exchanges with other authors.
• Make your website easy to find by submitting to search engines and optimizing the content.