Please Give Me Feedback on my Website!
Hi everybody! I’m considering a re-do of my website–perhaps small, perhaps large–as it gets closer to the release of Necessary Lies. I love my site, but I want it to focus more on that book in particular, plus the pic of me on the home page is three years old, so it’s time for an update. I welcome your thoughts. What shall I let go? What shall I keep? What is missing from the site that you’d like to see or that would be helpful to you? Thanks so much for your input!
Here’s the link to take you directly to the home page.
Let go of the blog look. Find a web designer who can customize a website for you. And ditch templates. It makes your site look like everyone else’s.
Gina and Carole, if you can be more specific, that would help! I’m not sure I understand what you mean by the “blog look”.
I agree Carole.
Hi Diane, website looks good but would like to see your Irish readers being ackknowledged too, you have a list of your books for the UK market but Ireland doesnt get a mention 🙂
I think that can be fixed, Aisling. I’m assuming the dates are the same as the UK, though couldn’t swear to it.
That would be great, we love your books here in Ireland too ! 🙂
One suggestion I have would be to make it easier for us to see which books have different names in other countries. When I first discovered your books, I had a hard time figuring out which ones I read and which ones were the same book with a different cover and title.
Rhona, this information is currently on the Printable Booklist which is on the Books page of the site. It’s a question I’m asked ALL THE TIME, and would love to find a better way of getting the info out, but I sure don’t know what that would be. I welcome your suggestions.
I like your website. The blog, with the 100 word challenges, is my favorite! I might be missing it, but it would be fun to have sections to talk about your books with other readers. I always love discussing books as I read them!
good idea, Heather.
I agree, that would be awesome. An online book club
Maybe I’m no help, but I like your blog. I think if it looks like “you” than people will like it. I’d use colors and a design that match your personal style. I think clicking on your blog should be like walking into your house.
That is helpful, Rachel, and that’s always been my goal.
Diane, is there a way in your blog to not have the rippling effect as I scroll down instead of laying flat on the screen when scrolling? I’ve tried opening your blog on several computers including my phone but It does the same thing. Am I making sense? My eyes are not in the best of shape so coming to the blog is hard for me. That’s why I try to post my comments on your goodreads page instead.
Not sure if anyone else is having this problem, or if it’s just me. LOL
I like the idea of your book discussions on your website.
Looking forward to your September book.
hmm, Gina, I’m not sure what you mean! when I scroll it does shiver a little but as soon as I stop scrolling to read, it’s fine. I just checked some other blogs and they seem to do the same thing. Am I not understanding what you mean? I’m sorry it’s hard for you to read. We need to fix that.
Hmm…It must be just me then. I also checked other authors blogs but it only ripples here. It’s so weird. Seriously, I think it’s the computers I’m using. But, please, no worries. Just thought I’d ask. I can still keep up with your blogs over at goodreads so it’s all good.
Gina, how bizarre! If you have the time, please check out the blog on http://www.emilierichards.com. Since we both have the same designer, it might help to know if hers “ripples” as well. thanks!
I checked her blog. It works fine. Then I came back to your site and it’s working fine here now. Did u do something? Lol –
I know I’ve been having major issues with it when i get to your site from my work computer and my home computer. so i checked it this morning from my husband’s computer and it works fine. And I checked it on my iPad. All good. I guess it was the kind of computers I was using. Looks like I need to upgrade! Thanks for your help Diane. I think I have this all figured out now. Drove me crazy for the longest time. Lol
Okay, I am hooked, I can not seem to get enough of your books, I just love you them, I just finished Kiss River and now am reading Her Mother’s Shadow. And have more to read after, I am so happy that your books are in reader form too, my daughter bought me one and I have it either filled with your books, or they are there to purchase, I know you are a very busy lady, but I was wondering, how many books you have written, so I can make sure I do not miss one, I can truly say you are my favorite author now, please keep writing.
Linda, I’m delighted you’re enjoying my books! On the BOOKS page of my website in the upper right hand corner, click on the printable booklist. That will tell you pub dates, linked books etc. My 22nd novel, Necessary Lies, will be out in September.
I don’t know if this sounds tacky, but how about some sort of world map where readers can highlight where they live and read? Maybe even a facility for uploading pics of us, your readers, reading your books at home, at work, on the move etc.
I have just registered with http://www.bookcrossing.com and if I find a book I’ve loved in a thrift store I’ll buy it, register it, and release it into the wild. I’ve left books on the London Underground, in grand hotels, at a homeless shelter, in a leading heart hospital, at motorway service stations, and in restaurants. I’ve received a fair number of emails generated by people ‘finding’ the books, and am happy to report that you have new ‘fans’ as a result. It’s a worldwide thing, and the record travel for one book is 600 ‘hops’. Looking forward to leaving one at an airport one day!
Finally, I have cataracts and some visual problems, and wondered if this area, where readers respond, could be in a darker colour font? The pale blue doesn’t stand out too well.
I love your website, it tells me a lot about you, your work and your life. How would you feel about a ‘getting to know the author’ page where we could aks you questions, and you could maybe select a few to answer each week. Anything from your favourite film to your ideal holiday destination…..
I haven’t been around lately as my husband (who is also my carer!) had a bad accident 3 weeks ago and is only just home after major surgery to reconstruct his left leg. How can a chair-bound man cause such utter chaos in such a short time? My OCD is going to be severely challenged. I foresee days when I set off in the car with my Kindle, a picnic and time to chill and lose myself in another world. Sooner or later I’ll introdue him to your work…..!
Thank you for keeping me sane!
Steph x