I started my website in 1997 using a template. But by 1999, I grew tired of the rigid nature of the template. I studied a bit of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the language of the Internet and found it relatively straightforward and easy to use. Fortunately, the template allowed me to see all of the HTML that was already there. I copied it.
I searched for a Internet provider and found one here in Houston. Acquired and paid for a domain, ronhullauthor.com, learned how to create my page using the HTML from the template and modify it by loading my pages and I was in business. With my own webpage I could modify anytime I wanted and my own email server under my domain rather than the usual that most people have from major email suppliers.
But my webpage, while very easy to navigate and full of information about me and my work, not promotion, may appear primitive, but it is not. Over the years, I've received countless offers from website providers, most legit, but some scams, to remodel my website to look more flashy and have less content at one click. Citing that my website was full of errors and dead links (I agree…I need to go back and fix many) and that they could greatly increase my SEO, for a price so that my business could make more money.
I purposely did not make my website a business selling my books. My books mostly sell through Amazon like everybody else. As well as many online books sellers in many languages around the world. I don't need to sell them from my website.
But I noticed that whenever I put in the title of my books or my stories in a search with my name, the story appeared often in the first position of the search, largely because of my association with Authorsden. Based all these years on their high visibility on the Internet. I was so grateful for that because people could find my books and stories very easily without even knowing that I was on AD.
And then, recently the AI revolution came along. Search engines picked up on it and started searching very deeply into the Internet for information for their searches. Much more deeply than they ever did before.
A few weeks ago, I googled my name. My full name that I use as my author name to distinguish my name and books from other Ron Hulls on the Internet – many. When I did, I was astounded to find that I have nearly a half page promotion of me and my writing that is the equivalent to a Wikipedia page which I don't have. It's a huge leap in my visibility and a SEO that I don't have to pay for. The rest of the first page includes my website and many of my writings.
I credit my success to my perseverance and many, many pages on the Internet, both with AD and with my website. I encourage you all to do the same.
I would like all authors here to please search for your names and see what you get. Your legacy in life depends upon your presence on the Internet. Make your grandchildren and great grandchildren and beyond proud of you for your hard work and authorship.
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