I network with other writers and attend writers' conferences whenever I can. I once met a budding writer who said that he often hear writers talking about keeping a website, but he has also seen many writers who still thrive even if they don’t have one, that maintaining a website is time-consuming and a writer's time is better spent writing.

I nodded in passive agreement. Yes, writers spend their time writing. But in an age where everyone has a book inside them waiting to get published, it’s hard to make a dent when you have no presence in cyberspace.

As the young writer continued talking about why he didn't need a website, my head was churning out some reasons why writers should have a website.

1. Talk is cheap. Everyone can claim to be a writer, and even if everyone knows that you are legit, it pays to have a working website that shows people your writing expertise. A website is only time-consuming if you choose it to be. Your website serves as a portal for people to see how well you could walk your talk. 

2. Think of your website as a gallery for your art. In your case, it’s your writing. Introducing yourself to potential clients, editors, and publishers become a little less difficult when they can see your writing samples for their perusal and see if you’re the right fit. No company or publishing house would be willing to take a risk on an unknown writer--this is a rare occurrence in the business. That’s why providing a link to your work helps.

 3. Speaking of writing assignments, your website helps you to draw clients. Remember what they say about a writer’s work speaking for itself? A website can amplify that dictum as you don’t have to look for clients; the clients look for you. Include a good resumé on your website, because headhunters are always on the prowl.

4. Your website is likely to draw clients. If you create subheadings or different categories for your writing niches, it becomes easy for visitors to see what you can do. Make a separate URL for your fiction, copywriting, CV, past projects, and whatever credentials you have. A plain website portfolio could showcase your credentials by providing links and pointing your visitors to your published work online. 

5. Putting up a website is now affordable. Take your time to do your research. Often, your search will yield the big names in website builders and hosts. Think of yourself as a small-scale entrepreneur building a website on a budget--there are hosting companies that cater to your type and charge a monthly or annual fee that will not burn through your pocket.

 6. You can use your website as an online store. If you have generated considerable traffic, you can link your page to Amazon and online booksellers to sell your e-books, lesson plans, articles, and even your courses. You can even sell direct without a third party.

7. Your website is your meeting place or boardroom. Even the most introverted writers get the opportunity to socialize and network minus the agonizing politics of small talk. But as the host, you have to make your guests feel comfortable by being hospitable. A good website creates a good first impression. It’s a given that part of your website is a “subscribe” button where you collect emails and use it to update your visitors about your latest project. You could even invite them to follow you on social media.