Creating a website as an author is a fantastic way to showcase your work and connect with your readers. WordPress, a popular website-building platform, offers a wide range of themes designed specifically for authors. In this guide, we’ll explore the 20 best WordPress themes for authors, highlighting their features and providing step-by-step guides to help you choose and set up your ideal theme. We’ll break down complex concepts into simple, plain English, and optimize the content for better readability, visibility, and accessibility
20 Best WordPress Themes for Authors: Features and Step-by-Step Guides
1. Astra:
Feature Highlights:
- Lightweight and fast-loading design.
- Customizable layout and colors.
- SEO-friendly for better search engine ranking.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install the Astra theme from the WordPress theme repository.
- Activate the theme.
- Customize the layout and colors to match your brand.
- Add your content and publish.
2. Divi:
Feature Highlights:
- Drag-and-drop page builder for easy customization.
- A wide range of pre-designed templates.
- SEO optimization for improved visibility.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install the Divi theme.
- Activate the theme.
- Use the built-in page builder to design your website.
- Select a template that suits your author website.
- Customize the template with your content.
- Publish your site.
3. Author Pro:
Feature Highlights:
- Designed specifically for authors.
- Integration with WooCommerce for book sales.
- Customizable homepage.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate the Author Pro theme.
- Set up WooCommerce for book sales if needed.
- Customize your homepage with author-specific content.
- Add your books and content.
- Launch your website.
4. Neve:
Feature Highlights:
- Speed-optimized for fast loading.
- Easy integration with popular page builders.
- Mobile responsive design.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install Neve from the WordPress theme repository.
- Activate the theme.
- Choose a page builder (e.g., Elementor).
- Create and customize your author website.
- Ensure mobile responsiveness.
- Publish your site.
5. OceanWP:
Feature Highlights:
- Highly customizable with a visual editor.
- SEO-friendly.
- Integrates with popular plugins.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate OceanWP.
- Use the visual editor to design your website.
- Install SEO plugins for better search engine visibility.
- Add essential plugins to enhance functionality.
- Populate your website with your author content.
- Launch your site.
6. Hestia:
Feature Highlights:
- Modern and clean design.
- One-page or multi-page layout options.
- Seamless WooCommerce integration.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Hestia.
- Choose between one-page or multi-page layout.
- Integrate WooCommerce if you plan to sell books.
- Customize your website appearance.
- Add your author content.
- Go live with your website.
7. Schema Lite:
Feature Highlights:
- Built-in schema markup for SEO.
- Fast-loading design.
- Mobile-friendly.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Schema Lite.
- Customize the theme’s appearance.
- Create SEO-friendly content.
- Ensure mobile responsiveness.
- Publish your author website.
8. Ashe:
Feature Highlights:
- Clean and minimalistic design.
- SEO optimization.
- Blog-friendly layout for sharing your writing journey.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate the Ashe theme.
- Customize the appearance to your liking.
- Start blogging and sharing your writing experiences.
- Implement SEO best practices.
- Publish your site.
9. Zillah:
Feature Highlights:
- Elegant and stylish design.
- Built-in Instagram feed for visual storytelling.
- SEO-friendly.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Zillah.
- Customize the design to match your brand.
- Utilize the Instagram feed for visual storytelling.
- Optimize your content for search engines.
- Launch your author website.
10. Author Pro by StudioPress:
Feature Highlights:
- Purpose-built for authors.
- Easy-to-use customization options.
- Integrates with the Genesis framework for enhanced performance.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Author Pro.
- Customize the theme to your preferences.
- Add your books and author content.
- Consider using the Genesis framework for added performance benefits.
- Go live with your author website.
11. Writee:
Feature Highlights:
- Clean and simple design.
- Blog-centric layout.
- Easy customization.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Writee.
- Customize your website’s appearance.
- Start blogging about your writing journey and work.
- Optimize your content for better search engine visibility.
- Publish your author website.
12. Blog Diary:
Feature Highlights:
- Blog-focused theme.
- Easy-to-use customization options.
- SEO optimization.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Blog Diary.
- Customize your website’s appearance.
- Begin blogging about your writing journey and books.
- Implement SEO best practices for improved search engine ranking.
- Launch your site.
13. Kale:
Feature Highlights:
- Magazine-style layout.
- Responsive design.
- Blog-centric for author updates.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Kale.
- Customize the magazine-style layout.
- Share author updates through your blog.
- Ensure your site is responsive.
- Publish your author website.
14. Hemingway:
Feature Highlights:
- Clean and minimalist design.
- Blog-focused layout.
- SEO-friendly.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Hemingway.
- Customize the theme to your liking.
- Start blogging about your writing journey and books.
- Implement SEO best practices.
- Go live with your author website.
15. Blog Way:
Feature Highlights:
- Blog-centric design.
- Easy customization options.
- SEO optimization.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Blog Way.
- Customize your website’s appearance.
- Begin blogging about your writing and author journey.
- Optimize your content for better search engine visibility.
- Launch your site.
16. Baskerville:
Feature Highlights:
- Clean and elegant design.
- Blog-centric layout.
- SEO-friendly.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Baskerville.
- Customize the theme to match your style.
- Start blogging about your writing and author experiences.
- Implement SEO best practices.
- Publish your author website.
17. Readable:
Feature Highlights:
- Clean and legible design.
- Blog-centric layout.
- SEO optimization.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Readable.
- Customize your website’s appearance.
- Begin blogging about your writing journey.
- Optimize your content for search engines.
- Go live with your author website.
18. Sydney:
Feature Highlights:
- Modern and professional design.
- Customizable layout.
- Integration with popular plugins.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Sydney.
- Customize the theme’s appearance.
- Add essential plugins for added functionality.
- Populate your website with your author content.
- Launch your site.
19. Himmelen:
Feature Highlights:
- Elegant and stylish design.
- Blog-centric layout.
- SEO-friendly.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Himmelen.
- Customize the theme to match your brand.
- Start blogging about your writing journey.
- Implement SEO best practices.
- Publish your author website.
20. Baskerville 2:
Feature Highlights:
- Clean and minimalist design.
- Blog-centric layout.
- SEO optimization.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install and activate Baskerville 2.
- Customize the theme to your liking.
- Begin blogging about your writing and author experiences.
- Implement SEO best practices.
- Go live with your author website.
Conclusion:
Creating your author website using WordPress has never been easier, thanks to these 20 exceptional themes. Whether you prefer a clean and minimalistic design, a blog-centric layout, or a magazine-style appearance, there’s a theme here for you. Follow the step-by-step guides provided, and in no time, you’ll have a beautiful and functional author website that’s optimized for both readers and search engines. So, pick the theme that resonates with your style, customize it to your liking, and start sharing your writing journey with the world. Happy writing and website building!
