Best Website Builders for Authors
Recently, a new author asked me if an author's website really matters. My answer was a resounding YES. Your website is one of the few marketing tools that you are 100% in control of. You can dictate its look, feel, tools, and content, and you’d be surprised how often readers will visit your site to stay abreast of your novels.
Your website is the cornerstone of your brand online and should highlight your books, yourself, and your newsletter signup. If you don’t have a website yet - don’t worry! There are several easy website creation sites that will allow a complete novice to build a site in just a few hours.
I sat down to compare the different popular software solutions. I had several “must-have” requirements:
- Easy to use without tech knowledge
- Lots of flexible and beautiful website templates to choose from
- Ability to support eCommerce, in case you want to sell signed copies or merchandise directly to readers
- Newsletter sign-up ability and integrations with popular email providers
- Tech support available if you run into trouble
- Latest security features to keep your site virus and maintenance-free
- Mobile-optimized for readers who visit from their phones or smart devices
Here are my top 3 recommendations for website providers for authors:
WORDPRESS:
WordPress is by far the most flexible website builder, but it’s also the most complex to use. You can learn to do everything yourself but you might occasionally need a developer - and it’s not as intuitively simple as the other solutions I list below. Thankfully, I have found support easy to find on Fivver.
WordPress Pricing:
While WordPress is ‘free’ to use, it has some unseen costs including:
Domain (with privacy): $25/year
Hosting: $80-$120/year
Plugins and security: $0 - $100/year
Developer and designer costs: $0 - $250/year depending on your needs
Some author website examples using WordPress:
caycepoponea.com (click here for the theme)
WIX:
Wix is a nice all-in-one solution that is great for any author, regardless of their tech know-how. This is a good fit if you aren’t looking for complex features and detailed customization. It also has a clean and easy email marketing ability that works well for authors who want a one-stop shop.
Wix Pricing:
The Combo plan for Wix is all most authors need. It’s $14/month. There’s a free plan, but I don’t suggest it - it doesn’t include a custom domain, has ads, and no site security certificate.
Some author website examples using Wix:
SQUARESPACE:
Squarespace is my favorite website builder and the one I’ve used and recommended for the last nine years. Their pricing includes privacy, they have beautiful templates, great support, and are idiot-proof. They do have an email send ability but I’ve never used it and I would guess that it gets pricey once you start racking up subscribers.
Squarespace Pricing*:
Squarespace’s Personal plan at $12/month will cover most of your needs, but their Business plan at $18/month includes additional integrations, pop-up banners, analytics, a custom email address and a whole lot more cool stuff. The only thing this price doesn’t include is the domain (which is free for the first year, and then $20 each year after that).
*There is a free two-week trial that will let you design a site from their templates and check out the interface and features.
Some author website examples using Squarespace:
alessandratorre.com (and this site also!)
Whichever website builder you pick - just dig in and start designing! The templates offered will easily create a website that matches your brand and achieves your goal of selling more books.
What website builder do you use? Show off your site by posting it in the comments.
