Also, be sure to update this website before going out on submission. Make it appear that you are active, warm up the room a little before you invite people in. You can take my blog here, for example. I haven't posted in almost two years, or more, it looks like! But when I want to start shopping for an agent for my own next book, I am going to want my socials and website to appear with some vibrancy and not look dated, which my website does.
But I'm worried about you right now, not me. 😊
If you are unsure about putting up a website, I always suggest branding yourself over your book title, because your book title might change. If you want to get some ideas for a good author website, check out Xuni.com. Maddee only works with writers, so her websites are very publishing focused. You may even find some of your favorite writers there. Even if you just look over a few websites, you'll start to get some ideas and a sense of what should be there, and what appeals to you (and doesn't).
But most important, is to be sure your website and socials are as updated as they can be, with some activity for at least a month or two, leading up to submission. For many writers, they've been working on their platform for years, but there are also many who have just finished their manuscripts and haven't focused at all on the business end of things. I know the business side is daunting, and you may not have it in you to do much more than a website, but a website does matter and count.
And yes, in this business, it's "fake it till you make it." The website can come before finding an agent or publishing. To us, it just looks like you are serious about what you're doing. There is so much competition out there, that it's important to do as much as you can to be visible, so you'll have the best chance at finding your readers and best-selling success.
