As someone who earns their bread and butter designing custom, hand-coded websites, you\u2019d think I\u2019d tell authors they should avoid generic websites at all costs. But I don\u2019t. In fact, during every consultation, I make sure the author I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this blog, I\u2019m 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\u2019s start with a few basic questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re 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\u2019re just getting started. Then, once the sales to come in and your bibliography expands, you can invest in a high-end website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019ll probably want a professionally built website as a resource for your fans, even if your current publication count is zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If all you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t always offer e-commerce options. If the main reason you want an author website is to sell signed copies and special editions, you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeing \u201cWebsite by [Free Hosting Provider]!\u201d on every page may not give off high-end vibes, but that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your own, custom author website is an excellent resource if you can afford it, but if you\u2019re waiting to make your first sale, it\u2019s 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\u2019t, it\u2019s worth $7-20 per year to hold your spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re ready to upgrade to a custom-built website, the right designer will be ready, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n