Fresh Web Design

30/04/2025

A rare spot just opened up in my web design schedule for May!

If you’ve been thinking about investing in a professional website, now’s your chance. I design strategic Squarespace websites for creatives, authors, and business owners who are ready to elevate their online presence.

Here’s what one of my clients had to say:

💬 “Michelle has set up a beautiful new website for me that gives everything I was hoping for, and so much more. Her eye for design is so impressive, and contact and support are always forthcoming and always cheerful. Don’t hesitate to make contact with Michelle. You will experience a professional, positive, and creative solution to whatever you need.”
Venero Armanno, Author

👉 Comment WEBSITE below to receive my briefing form. After completing the form, I’ll send you an obligation-free proposal and quote.

I look forward to working with you to build a gorgeous new website!

PS. Questions? Email me [email protected]

PPS. This spot won’t last. I normally fill up months in advance but just had a client delay their start date to July. So get in touch soon if you’re keen!

12/02/2025

AUTHOR WEBSITE WORKSHOP

The fabulous folk at Writing WA have put together an incredible program for writers this year, including this workshop with yours truly!

Creating an online presence can be daunting, especially if you're not yet published.

Even if you already have an author website, there are often gaps in functionality, design or strategy that need to be plugged so you can engage visitors, convert them into readers and subscribers, and showcase your books in the best possible way.

In this workshop, I'll give you practical tips on how to get started, your website structure, how to create your brand (colours, fonts, images, all the fun stuff!), what to include on each page (even if you're not yet published), ideas for blogging and newsletters, SEO basics and tips for choosing a domain name.

And because we have two hours together, you'll not only come away with a solid plan for your website and a few handy resources, we'll have time for a solid Q&A, so bring me all your website and author platform questions.

The best part is the workshop is online and you don't have to be a WritingWA member. So no matter where you are, you can get yourself on Perth time (3 hours behind Syd & Melb), and join us!

Tickets - https://events.humanitix.com/the-virtual-you-online-author-profiles-with-michelle-barraclough-online?hxchl=hex-pfl

22/11/2024

Now it's Instagram's turn to make some techy changes to their backend!

If you have a live Instagram feed on your Squarespace website, you will notice it has dropped out. Squarespace has sent out a helpful email with some steps on how to reconnect it. But for those of you who prefer a bit of hand-holding, I've made you a how-to video.

The video only goes for a couple of minutes and the whole task should take you less than 5 minutes.

Huge thanks to author and fabulous client Lynne Johnson - Author for allowing me to use her website and Instagram account to demonstrate. If you love reading crime, check out Lynne's debut novel The Bait Trap.

15/11/2023

Thinking about a new author website for 2024? This course I created for the Australian Writers' Centre is a perfect starting place. And it's on sale! 40% off for a limited time (only $117 instead of $165 - at today's prices, that's like, four coffees right? 😉)

It's an on-demand, online course so you can complete it in your own time. All the details here - https://www.writerscentre.com.au/store/courses/your-author-website/

Let me know if you have any questions. You can read what other people said about the course in the next pics (what a lovely bunch of students!)

18/08/2023

Professional-looking author headshots are a super important part of your website. Unfortunately, a shot of yourself cropped out of a photo from your sister’s wedding isn’t going to cut it!

If you’re worried about what’s involved in terms of hair and makeup and what you should wear and the cost of getting professional headshots done and all the rest of it, don’t worry, I've got you.

In my free Author Headshot Guide, I give you the lowdown on great looking author headshots - what you need for your website and socials, where to find inspo, how to pose and what to wear, along with a few cost-effective tips.

Whether you decide to use a professional photographer or do-it-yourself, there’s something for you in this guide.

Sign up to receive your free copy of the Author Headshot Guide.

PS. You'll also receive the free Author Website Guide which gives you the rundown on how to get started, what pages to include, plus how to choose colours, fonts, navigation, domain names and more.

https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/

Fresh modern affordable websites for authors, artists and businesses, built in Squarespace and designed to turn your website into a gorgeous marketing asset.

29/03/2023

I love it when clients start using the blog function on their website because (a) it's BRILLIANT for their SEO (ie. making google fall in love with you) and (b) I get to read all their fabulous writing advice!

Veronica Lando Author new blog is well worth following because she is kicking some serious author goals - winning literary prizes, a second book about to be published and starting her third novel.

Congrats Veronica!

When I fist set up my website with the wonderful .au I was so keen to do a blog.

But who knew that having your third baby, publishing your first book and writing your second would make for a busy year (seriously, who knew?)?

To say 2022 was a beast of a year is putting it mildly (equal parts terrifying as it was magnificent). But I’ve come into 2023 ready and roaring.

When I first started writing I couldn’t get enough of other authors blogs (favs were and ). They helped me find my way through this new world of writing and publishing and I was always keen to (one day) do my own.

So here’s one now! (There are a few more already up, but here’s a newbie for anyone keeping track).

Head to my website to have a sticky.
veronicalando.com

15/09/2022

What's this new .au domain thing all about?

You may have received an email from your domain registrar (eg. GoDaddy, WebCentral, Crazy Domains, etc) telling you about the new .au extension that is available for your domain.

I know, I know.....you probably already have a .com or com.au so why on earth do you need to secure this new .au as well?

Well, it would be pretty annoying if someone registered your name with the new extension!

I've made a short 7 minute video explaining why I think it's a good idea to register the .au domain for your business or author name. I've included some step by step instructions on how to take advantage of the priority allocation too.

Of course, if you need any help or want to talk it through, please don't hesitate to get in touch. And do feel free to share this video with anyone you think might benefit from registering their .au domain.

https://share.descript.com/view/w6tkG6iVzp8

05/08/2022

Have you been putting off your author website due to overwhelm, procrastination and/or lack of time?

Then I'm very excited to share this fabulous online course with you!

If you're an aspiring or established author wanting a professional online presence to nurture fans, generate buzz and increase sales, the Your Author Website course is for you.

It's a self-paced online course I've put together with Australian Writers' Centre covering everything you need to know about building an author website.

Here's what you'll learn:

- How to determine the goals of your website and how to achieve them.

- What you need to know about domain names and which ones to register.

- How to choose your website platform.

- The essentials of a professional brand style on your website and other materials.

- How to structure your website so it’s easy for users to navigate.

- Essential elements on your home page (you only get one chance to make a first impression!).

- What you MUST include in your bio or about page.

- The best way to showcase your books – and how to do that when yours isn’t published yet.

- How to market any events, talks or festivals you’re in.

- Create a hub for any reviews, media mentions, podcast interviews and so on.

- To blog or not to blog? That is the question!

- Should you send out a regular newsletter?

- SEO basics for your website.

- Do you need an online store?

You can find out more about the course and register your interest here - https://www.writerscentre.com.au/store/courses/your-author-website/

The course officially goes on sale on 17 August at a discounted price of only $107 but only for one week! Then it will go up to the full price of $165.

So if you've been putting off your website for ages, let me hold your hand (virtually via your screen!) and kickstart your author platform together.

Note: This course doesn’t teach you the technical side of building a whole website. The aim is to help you understand exactly what your author website needs, so that you can brief a web designer with confidence, nail your brand, get your domain name, plan every page and so much more

04/08/2022

NEW AUTHOR WEBSITE

Delighted to introduce the brand new website of this extremely talented author Mark Smith.

This website is such a great example of how important it is to get quality author headshots. The wonderful beach background really set the tone for the whole design with cool blues and dusky navy accents.

We showed off Mark’s four young adult novels with themed backgrounds (check them out in his Books pages) and added a few subtle looping videos throughout to give a little movement (but not too much!)

The only thing about working with fabulous authors is getting hooked on their books. Stayed up until midnight to finish reading Mark’s brilliant pageturner The Road to Winter and then had to download the second book in the series immediately! 😂

Find Mark and his novels at https://www.marksmithwriter.com/