Reviews and the Goal of Increasing Web Traffic for Authors

For self-published authors marketing their books online, web traffic is one of the most important aspects of effective promotion. More people visiting your site means increased web traffic, a stronger online reputation, and higher search engine rankings. So, what are the ways to increase web traffic for authors?

The Effects of Online Reviews

An online review is any published statement or comment online made by a particular consumer who has experienced a particular service or product. There are many types of online reviews.

For authors—both tenured and new—reviews play a crucial part in promoting their books and brand online. Not only do authors seek positive reviews for their books, but they must also strive to gain favorable reviews for their author website.

In particular, reviews contribute to the commercial and critical success of their book marketing campaign. An online review can make or break an author’s writing career, depending on how he or she handles them.

If there is one thing that every author must take into consideration regarding the impact of online reviews, it is this: 90% of users check reviews before checking out the business (website). Additionally, 84% put their trust in reviews as much as they would in personal recommendations. Last, but certainly, the most important fact is that 93% declare that reviews are a major factor in deciding to buy a certain service or product.

How does a book
review contribute to marketing?

For authors, getting positive reviews for their published books is paramount. As I mentioned in past articles, reviews can make or break your writing career. In this digital age, everything you publish and the things published about you can contribute to your success or failure. And book reviews are a game-changer indeed. Here are some important notes from expert Jane Friedman.

“Book reviews build symbolic capital”

“New authors—certainly self-published authors—have no symbolic capital. They
are not (yet) known for producing quality books that seduce readers to the
degree that they are willing to part with some of their disposable income, not
to mention time. Is it possible for self-publishing authors to create symbolic
capital? Absolutely yes, and many have.”

The Value of Book Reviews

In today’s increasingly online world of book shopping, book reviews truly build symbolic capital—something that authors need to strengthen. As an example, a book shopper examining a book to purchase would first look at the reviews left by previous purchasers. Is it worth it? Similarly, it’s like a hungry guest walking into a vacant restaurant. Is this place any good if no one is eating?

Moreover, traditional publishers—who have symbolic capital attached to their names already—must actively solicit book reviews from well-established reviewers or readers to ensure their authors’ success. With the retail market filled with new authors, stories, and concepts, it’s best to get positive reviews from reliable and respectable peers.

Friedman adds that before a book launches (through book press events), it’s advantageous to look first for favorable book reviews before shooting for expansion and for a major book promotion campaign.

Of course, aside from professional and reader reviews which you can publish on your website and social media platforms, you can also register to business review sites as well.  

Increasing Web
Traffic for Authors via Reviews

Book reviews open up a number of opportunities that, in turn, lead to visitors to your site.

Monitoring

Reviews offer you a glimpse of how readers receive your book. Positive reviews indicate that you are on the right track. Even negative reviews open new opportunities for growth as a writer. And so, monitoring how your novel resonates with others is more effective through reviews.

Online Visibility

The more published reviews, especially positive ones, the more online buzz about your book. The attention and interest are sure to lead more visitors to your site. In a way, it becomes the “word of mouth” in the world of books.

Target Audience Expansion

Positive reviews show readers that your book is a good read. So essentially, positive published reviews actually help expand your target market. As positive reviews pour in, they create a domino effect that promotes it to others.

Growth As An Author

Combining positive book reviews, an optimized site, and fresh content ensures increased online visibility. By doing so, you are increasing web traffic to your site. Positive reviews generate interest and are likely to spike your organic traffic. Visitors who find your website through a search engine like Google or Bing are referred to as organic visitors.

Overall, reviews play an integral role not only in increasing web traffic for authors but also in the overall book marketing campaign. Acquiring positive reviews and publishing them are tasks every author should give priority to if they want to stay in the game.