If you're an author, you've probably heard the term "SEO" thrown around, but what exactly is it, and why should you care? SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is all about making sure your website shows up when readers search for things like your name, your book title, or even keywords related to your genre. In short, it's about getting found online. And in today’s crowded digital space, it’s crucial. Let’s break it down into simple, actionable steps so you can boost your visibility and, ultimately, sell more books!

1. Start with Keywords

Keywords are the backbone of SEO. These are the words or phrases people type into Google when they’re looking for something specific. As an author, think about what keywords your potential readers might search for. For example, if you write historical romance, you might want to target phrases like "best historical romance books" or "romance novels set in Victorian England."

Once you've got your list of keywords, sprinkle them naturally throughout your website—on your homepage, in your blog posts, and even in your book descriptions. Don’t overdo it, though. Google’s pretty smart, and if it senses you’re stuffing keywords, it might actually hurt your ranking.

2. Optimize Your Author Website

Your website is your online home base, so let’s make sure it’s primed for SEO. First things first, make sure it’s mobile-friendly. More people browse the web on their phones these days, and Google ranks mobile-friendly sites higher. Also, check your website’s loading speed—nobody’s sticking around if your page takes forever to load. You can use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to get a quick audit.

Next, make sure each page on your website has a clear, descriptive title and meta description. These are the snippets that show up in search results, so make them count! Your homepage title might be something like "Author [Your Name] | Bestselling Fantasy Novelist" and the meta description could briefly mention your latest book or upcoming projects.

3. Blog Regularly (and Smartly)

Blogging is one of the best ways to boost your SEO. By writing regular posts, you’re adding fresh content to your site, which search engines love. But don’t just blog for the sake of it—create content that’s helpful to your readers. Write posts that answer common questions, share writing tips, or explore themes in your books.

Pro tip: Use your keywords naturally in your blog posts, especially in the title and headings. And don’t forget to link back to other parts of your website (like your books or about page). This is called internal linking, and it helps search engines understand what your site is all about.

4. Get Those Backlinks

Backlinks are when other websites link to yours, and they’re like gold in the SEO world. The more quality backlinks you have, the more Google sees your site as credible and authoritative. So, how do you get them? Start by reaching out to book bloggers, fellow authors, or literary websites to see if they’d be interested in reviewing your book or featuring you in an interview. You can also guest post on other sites, offering valuable content in exchange for a link back to your site.

5. Focus on Local SEO (If Relevant)

If you’re doing local book signings, attending writing workshops, or participating in any in-person events, don’t forget about local SEO. This helps you show up in searches related to your geographic area. Make sure to mention your location on your website and set up a Google My Business profile if you haven’t already. It’s free and can help readers in your area find you more easily.

6. Don’t Forget About Alt Text

When you upload images to your site, make sure to include alt text. This is the description of the image that search engines read. If you’re posting a picture of your book cover, for example, your alt text might be something like “Cover of the fantasy novel [Book Title] by [Your Name].” It’s a small detail, but it helps with your SEO and makes your site more accessible.

7. Track Your Progress

SEO is a long game, but you’ll want to track how your efforts are paying off. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console are your best friends here. They’ll show you how much traffic you’re getting, where it’s coming from, and which pages are performing best. This way, you can tweak your strategy as you go and keep improving your ranking.

Conclusion

SEO might seem overwhelming at first, but by taking it one step at a time, you can gradually improve your online visibility and attract more readers. And if you’re ever feeling lost or just want to focus more on writing than the technical stuff, you can always lean on experts who specialize in publishing. There’s this team over at Tribune Publisher who knows a thing or two about optimizing an author’s online presence. They’ve helped plenty of authors fine-tune their websites so they can reach their readers without all the SEO headaches.