Sometimes it’s best to start with a low-cost author website
As someone who earns their bread and butter designing custom, hand-coded websites, you’d think I’d tell authors they should avoid generic websites at all costs. But I don’t. In fact, during every consultation, I make sure the author I’m working with is certain that a custom website is in their best interest. Because the truth is that there are times when a basic web builder is really all you need.
In this blog, I’m going to go over a few of the talking points I use in my consultations to help you decide if a custom-designed website is right for your author page. Let’s start with a few basic questions.
How many books do you currently have?
If you’re in the processing of publishing your one and only book, the expense of a custom author website might not be financially feasible. You might be better off with a low cost or free site while you’re just getting started. Then, once the sales to come in and your bibliography expands, you can invest in a high-end website.
On the other side of things, if you have a large social media presence and hope to start off with a good number of sales, you’ll probably want a professionally built website as a resource for your fans, even if your current publication count is zero.
Do you want a multi-purpose site?
The ideal author website should serve several purposes. It should be a hub for your fans, a place where you can share your thoughts via a blog, post updates and press releases about your publications, and sell your books. This makes a website a worthwhile investment of your time and money.
If all you’re really looking for is a place to put your blog, you might be better off with a free blogging platform, like WordPress, or a newsletter service, such as Substack. You can always integrate that into a professional website later on.
Are you going to sell books on your site?
Selling signed copies of your books directly from your own site is a great way to increase your profit margins. However, free website builders don’t always offer e-commerce options. If the main reason you want an author website is to sell signed copies and special editions, you’ll probably need to purchase a paid version of your free hosting plan. At that price point, it might be worth considering a custom-built website.
The bottom line is, it all depends.
Seeing “Website by [Free Hosting Provider]!” on every page may not give off high-end vibes, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad place to start. If your needs are few and your budget is limited, beginning with a basic web builder and a free hosting plan could be the best way to build your online brand.
Your own, custom author website is an excellent resource if you can afford it, but if you’re waiting to make your first sale, it’s fine to hold off for a while. What I strongly recommend, however, is snapping up your domain name. Many free and low-cost site builders will allow you to use your own URL, but even if they don’t, it’s worth $7-20 per year to hold your spot.
When you’re ready to upgrade to a custom-built website, the right designer will be ready, too.
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