How to create an author website for free
... with some caveats
Obviously I WOULD say this but… an author website is one of the most powerful tools for connecting with your readers, showcasing your work, and building your brand.
Whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, having a professional online presence can help you establish credibility, sell books, and expand your audience.
But what if you’re on a tight budget, like so many authors are?
Is it possible to create an author website for free?
The short answer is yes - but it’s important to understand the trade-offs involved and how to make the most of affordable options.
In this post I’ll show you how to create an author website for free, explore the limitations of free platforms, and introduce a time-saving, affordable solution that might be of interest to you…
Why every author needs a website
Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s talk a bit about the ‘why.’ An author website serves as your digital home base. Here’s why it’s crucial:
Credibility: A professional-looking website signals that you take your writing career seriously.
Reader connection: Your website allows readers to learn more about you, sign up for your newsletter, and follow your updates. This is more important than ever!
Direct sales: If you’re self-published, you can sell books directly to your audience, avoiding retailer fees.
Marketing hub: Your website is a place to host blogs, announce events, and share book trailers or reviews.
Even if you’re on a budget, the benefits of having a website far outweigh the cost.
Do authors REALLY need websites? →
Sign up to watch my FREE training on how to build your own author website →
Can you create an author website for free?
Creating an author website for free is possible, but it comes with limitations.
Just a little reminder… 😉
Free platforms like Carrd, Canva, and WordPress.com allow you to build a site without upfront costs, but they often impose restrictions.
These may include:
Platform branding: Most free plans display the platform’s branding, which can detract from your professional image. Nothing says cheapskate louder than than having random irrelevant branding slapped all over your author website! And is that the look you really want readers to see when they visit your site?
Limited features: Advanced functionalities such as e-commerce, custom domains, or enhanced storage often require a paid upgrade. So even though it might look as though the website is free, in reality if you want to be able to do anything with it, you’re going to have to pay up anyway.
Poor SEO (search engine optimisation): I know SEO is not the most exciting of topics, but you’ll find with many of the free offerings, such as Canva’s free website builder, don’t offer any SEO functionality at all, meaning you have little control over how - or even if - your website shows up on Google search rankings.
Design constraints: Free templates often limit your ability to fully customise the look and feel of your site, which can lead to frustration as you realise the end result doesn’t look anything like you’d hoped for. What’s worse than having no author website? Having an author website that you’re ashamed of.
Ads: Many free platforms include advertisements that you have no control over. Don’t get me started on the random ads that Wordpress.com likes to scatter all over people’s websites… again, not a good look if you are trying to be taken seriously as a writer!
Additionally, while creating a website for free can save money, it requires a significant investment of time.
You’ll need to learn the platform, design your site, and troubleshoot any issues - and that’s time that could be spent writing or marketing your books.
I always say to authors - when it comes to building your author website you’re going to have to invest either a) time or b) money.
It’s your choice which of these you’d rather spend, but there’s no short-cut I’m afraid.
That said, free platforms are an excellent starting point for new authors or those on a tight budget. They allow you to establish an online presence and experiment with different features before committing to a paid plan.
However, as your career grows, upgrading to a paid plan or investing in professional tools becomes almost inevitable to maintain a polished and scalable website.
The good news?
Affordable solutions exist to save you time and effort, as we’ll discuss later!
Free website platforms for authors
Here’s an overview of some of the free platforms you can use to create an author website, along with their pros and cons:
Carrd
Pros: Simple and user-friendly interface, ideal for one-page websites.
Cons: Limited scalability; not suitable for multi-page websites or complex needs.
Canva
Pros: Drag-and-drop design makes it easy to create visually appealing pages.
Cons: Primarily a design tool, so website functionality is limited. Poor SEO.
WordPress.com
Pros: A popular platform with plenty of templates.
Cons: Free version includes ads and lacks custom domain options. Hosted Wordpress isn’t free and requires significant technical knowledge to maintain.
Why I don’t recommend Wordpress for your author website →
Wix
Pros: Intuitive drag-and-drop builder.
Cons: Free version includes Wix branding, and storage is limited.
Google Sites
Pros: Free and ad-free, integrates well with other Google services.
Cons: Limited design flexibility.
While these platforms can help you get started, their drawbacks - from limited customisation to lack of professional polish - will ultimately hinder your growth as an author.
This is where investing a little can go a long way.
Affordable options to save time and effort
If you’re looking for an affordable way to build a professional website without the hassle, then you might find my DIY Author Website Course is the perfect solution.
I designed it just for authors like you!
Find out more about the DIY Author Website Course →
Why choose my course?
Step-by-step guidance: Learn exactly how to create an author website, even if you’re not tech-savvy. At the end of the course you’ll feel confident in using Squarespace, one of the world’s leading website platforms.
Affordable: Get the expertise of an experienced author web designer, while avoiding the high cost of hiring one.
Time-saving: With my hand-held expert guidance, you can skip the trial-and-error process and get your website up quickly, knowing that you’re following best practices and aren’t missing anything crucial.
Some recent feedback from students of the DIY Author Website Course…
Save 10% off your first year’s Squarespace subscription using code CHARLOTTE10
Step-by-step guide to building an author website for free
If you’re determined to create your website for free, here’s a simple guide:
1. Choose your platform
Select a platform that aligns with your needs. For simple designs, Carrd or Canva might suffice. For more functionality, consider WordPress.com or Wix.
Squarespace is my favourite web design platform for authors, however they don’t offer a free version.
They do offer a free 14-day trial however, so you might want to try that first and see how you get on.
You can also use my discount code: CHARLOTTE10 for 10% off Squarespace and check out my blog post on the different pricing plans for more information on the costs of Squarespace (TL;DR: most authors will be fine on the Personal plan and the minimal cost is well worth it, I promise! 😉)
2. Design the basics
Choose a template.
Customise colours and fonts to match your author brand.
Add your name/logo to the header.
3. Include essential pages
About: Share your bio and writing journey.
Books: Showcase your publications with buy links.
Contact: Provide a way for readers and media to reach you.
Blog (Optional): Share updates, writing tips, or behind-the-scenes insights.
If you’re not sure what to include on your author website, you can download my Author Website Content Guide here →
4. Optimise for mobile
Did you know that more than 50% of website traffic comes through mobile?
It’s more important than ever to make sure your site is responsive, meaning it will also look great on smartphones and tablets.
Don’t forget this step in the process!
5. Test and launch
Preview your site, fix any issues, and make it live!
How to build an author website: a step-by-step guide for authors →
FAQs
Can I create an author website for free?
Yes, free platforms like Carrd, Canva, and WordPress.com allow you to create websites, but they often have limitations like ads or lack of customisation.
How much does it cost to create an author website?
Costs vary. Free options exist, but investing in a domain and hosting typically costs around £50-£150 annually.
How do I set up an author website?
Choose a platform, design your site, and include essential pages like your bio, books, and contact information.
Do self-published authors need a website?
Absolutely. A website helps you build your brand, connect with readers, and sell books directly.
Summary and key takeaways
An author website is essential for building your brand and connecting with readers.
Free platforms like Carrd and Canva can help you get started, but they come with limitations.
Investing in an affordable DIY course, like mine, can save you time and provide a professional result without breaking the bank.
Want more insights? Sign up for my free training to build your own author website today →
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