I'm at danamarton.com.
I'd like it to fit the feel of my Intrigues, but also other stories I'm publishing. I would so appreciate your help!
And so would Toby, my assistant. See photo of his begging look at the bottom of my post. :-)
To show our love, we'll raffle off a very special book among those who respond, a special 2-in-1 edition that was published in Europe, including my SPY HARD and Julie Miller's fabulous THE MARINE NEXT DOOR. The only other way to get this book is to fly to London! :-) Even I have only 2 copies, and I'm giving away one here.
Good luck!
Dana
Toby is such a cutie!
ReplyDeleteI find your site different from others which is a good thing... makes it more unique. As for changes, not sure what you would want or need really. The links work well. I guess I am no help. Maybe make the background a bit more dramatic.
I am curious about one thing... how often do you send out newsletters. I signed up years ago, updated my e-mail once, but still do not seem to get anything from you about your books. Should I try signing up again?
I like the colors that you are using. However, you need to change your "Home" page. The "What's New" page needs to go under your "Books" tab. The pages that you have now under the "Books" tab should stay. Your "Home" page should be something more personal like a blog. You should move over the "Awards and Review" tab. The "About the Author" tab should come either after the "Home" page tab or the "Books" tab. You need a contact page so people can send you an email. I love the "What is Harlequin Intrigue?" under the "For Readers" tab.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what kind of dog is Toby. Does he have Westie in him?
Just my opinion but I think your website should open with the about the author page then move to the home page.
ReplyDelete1.I love all the information that is given on your site. It's easy for the reader to find what they are looking for quickly.
ReplyDelete2. Too much white space. In my opinion there needs to be some type of background (even this blog has a background). Something as simple as a seasonal picture (snow, rain, rainbow, colored leaves falling) that you change 4 times a year or a 'dark and stormy night. LOL.
3. Under the what's new I would like to see a short blog type area where you share something with your readers. Change it out once a week to keep them coming back to your sight to check it out.
4. Think about adding a "contact page" where you invite people to email you, have your facebook page listed, and list any personal appearances/book signings/chats you may have planned.
Just a few things to think about.
Love your writing Dana.
Colleen--Yes, please sign up again. I send a newsletter every time I have a new book out (usually 4 times a year), and if I have a Kindle book up on amazon free for the day.
ReplyDeleteBW--Toby is a goldendoodle, a retriever and poodle mix.
Colleen, BW, Ellen and Brenda--Thank you!!!! This is fantastic. Exactly what I needed to make the web site better. I sooo appreciate the help!! I'm currently redesigning my indie book covers and my FB header image. Then the web site is next. That's a big chunk of work, so I've been putting it off.
Too much white space, I like the background of this blog. I'm currently reading Agents Under Fire.
ReplyDeleteI like that you have a pictures of the books, links to buy the books, and blurbs of the books. It's easy to navigate and doesn't take a long time to load. There's a lot of blank space on the left and right hand sides. I don't really like scrolling that far down the page.
ReplyDeletebn100--I so agree. I keep asking for a wider page, but the answer is that some people with small screens then will be annoyed. I'm going to have to revisit this issue with my web master.
DeleteI always prefer black text on a light background.
ReplyDeleteApart from that, Coleen C mentioned a newsletter. I don't see a link here or I am just missing it.
Yikes! I'm heading over to check. The page should definitely have newsletter sign up. Thank you for bringing that to my attention!
DeleteMaybe it's just a little too white. And the right and left sides are to plain, maybe some type of eyecatching background. Other than that, it's a very user friendly sight.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Linda! And now I have an excuse to search for hot guy pics for the background. Ah, it's hard work to be a writer ;-)
DeleteDana - I like your website. Easy to find things. The white background stands out. And no music, I do not like authors sites with music.
ReplyDeleteI don't like music either. Especially if it's something creepy or loud. I'm sitting here, quietly working and then the music comes on and startles me, lol.
DeleteDana, I agree with the first 4 comments. One thing I did notice that you don't have and other authors have is a contest tab announcing their current contests.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!! I definitely have to add that. I had it at one point. I do give away a free book every month to one new newsletter subscriber. Maybe the notice got lost in one of my many web site updates.
DeleteJoyce--Thank you for reading my books!!! And thank you for the advice!
ReplyDeleteAND THE WINNER IS.....
ReplyDeleteMarybelle!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please contact me with your mailing addy so I can send the book. Congratulations!! (danamarton at yahoo dot com)
And big thank you to everyone who responded. Now I have a list of excellent ideas to start with.