At a friend's suggestion, I visited a new author's website last week and was immediately blasted by loud, obnoxious music. And it wasn't her myspace page b/c I wouldn't have minded it there and would have even expected it. This was her regular website, on the home page. Since I was at work *ahem* I immediately clicked off w/out bothering with the volume and I haven't gone back. I mentioned it in a brief tweet that I don't like music on writer's websites (I didn't mention the author's name) and received a lot of comments mirroring the same opinion. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I totally hate music on a website, I just want the option to press play or not. I don't want to be blasted with tunes before the home page has even downloaded. Give me a choice people.Other than that, I don't have a lot of pet peeves as far as websites go. I do love it when an author has a downloadable Word or Excel list of all their books and ISBN numbers, etc. This is especially helpful when looking up a backlist. For the most part though, I'm just glad when my fave authors have websites. Linda Howard, I know you're not reading this, but if you were, I really wish you had a website (and not the one through Random House which isn't up to date)! Actually, it's probably good she doesn't b/c I'd spend even more time procrastinating as I
What about ya'll? Is there anything you love or hate in an author's website?
13 comments:
Most important thing for me is ease of maneuverability. Hate it when I click on something and get lost in the clicks. Should be easy to navigate.
Music that plays automatically. Um, NO.
I love it when the author has clickable links to buy the book. Instant gratification. I also like a clean site, free of clutter.
I'm with you on the music. I don't like to visit website where I immediately have to adjust my volume, plus I find it distracting when I'm trying to read.
Other than that, I like it when I can immediately click on the writer's newest release to buy and also like ease in looking up their backlist.
I want to be able to see there books and I like to know which publisher it's with. One click buy links make it easy.
And I don't like too much on a page.
I agree with you about the music. I have dial up, so the music on websites makes everything load very slowly. And then there's the getting blasted with it.
As for stuff I like is detailed book pages. There should be a cover, blurb and a buy link. I've been to some that just have a cover and the title, and so you have to go look up the book to get other information. I'm too lazy for that.
Music me too! Easy maneuverability.
Those are my biggies.
I totally agree on the music. Drives me insane.
I really don't like it when authors put tons of neked or shirtless men up. Again, I'm at work, and if my boss walks by, its pretty darn clear I'm not researching stuff for the Donut Factory. Also, when all they do is pimp their own books, or their friends books, it gets irritating. I don't mind a contest, or a topic that mentions it, but when its just strait pimpage, every day? Boring. I like to get to know the author a bit. ALSO - I love it when the author pops back to my page and makes a comment! makes me feel really appreciated, like they CARE that I'm reading! (thanks!)
I'm with you on the music. Nothing sends me running faster. The other thing I don't like is flash-type openings for websites where you have to sit and wait for it to play before you get to the website. I don't mind as much if there's a way to click to enter the site immediately but not all authors have this feature.
Mostly I like an up-to-date site with details of releases and upcoming books. I also like a hint as to the author's personality with a bit of background on the books. Where they got the idea etc.
Oh, and one other dislike - (I seem to be full of them today) - I don't like sites that are black and gloomy and difficult to read. Please don't make me squint!
These are all really good! Easy manueverability and links that work!
Honoria - I agree, with the exception of one or two authors, I'm too lazy to go search for their stuff elsewhere. Give me a buy link!
December - I love reading your blog, ms. beef-o-rama ;)
Shelly - yes! Can't believe I forgot the flash openings. Drives me nuts!
I'm with Shelley - flash openings and sites with really hard to read fonts, or backgrounds which are so dark I have to squint at the font because of the lack of contrast.
The other think I don't like is websites with lots of animations, which flicker and flit around and distract me from the content. Might be OK for kids, but not for "grown-up" websites!
No! The music would drive me crazy. LOL
I gotta tell you, anything that stands between me and instant gratification is probably a "no go". Flash intro sites drive me freakin' insane. Especially the ones that don't give me the "no intro" option. I just don't have time to wade through the hype, you know?
And music....such a personal taste. I'd never do that.
Sorry to be so slow on posting lately. Pimping at textnovel has eaten up my life LOL.
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