How To Build An Author Website: 8 Easy Paths To Choose From

At some point, most authors start thinking, I probably need a website.

Then they start looking into how to build one and suddenly it feels more complicated than expected. Too many options. Too much tech language. Too much talk about coding when all you want is a simple place online for your books and readers.

A lot of writers assume building a professional website means learning code, hiring a designer, or spending a lot of money. That’s usually not true.

The good news is, creating an author website isn’t as complicated as we think. There are several ways to do it, some very simple, some more customizable, depending on what you need and how hands-on you want to be.

We’ll look at eight different paths you can take, depending on your skill level and how customizable you want your site to be.

NB: Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase.

1. Self-Hosted WordPress (For Full Control)

If you want the most flexibility, one path is building your author website with WordPress on your own hosting.

That may sound technical, but it’s much easier now than it used to be. Many hosting companies let you set up WordPress with just a few clicks, and from there you can choose a theme, customize your pages, and build your site the way you want.

What I like about this option is the control. You’re not boxed into a website builder’s limits. You can grow the site as your author platform grows, whether that means adding a blog, email list, shop, or something else later.

It does take a little more setup than drag-and-drop builders, but it’s not as intimidating as people often assume.

Platforms to consider:

Bluehost

• Beginner-friendly
• One-click WordPress setup
• Free domain for the first year

Hostinger

• Affordable plans
• Also beginner friendly
• Easy WordPress setup

SiteGround

• Fast hosting
• Helpful support
• Daily backups included

Pros

• A lot of freedom in how your site looks and grows
• Thousands of plugins and tools you can add
• Good long-term option if you want to expand your platform

Cons

• There is a learning curve at first
• You’ll be managing things like hosting and backups yourself
• It can cost more than simpler website builders

2. Use Your Hosting Provider’s Built-In Website Builder

Another route is using the website builder that comes with some hosting providers. This can be a nice middle ground if you want something easier than WordPress but still want your own hosted website.

With this option, you usually choose a template, swap in your text and images, and build your site using drag-and-drop tools. It cuts down a lot of the setup and can be a simpler way to get an author website online.

It can be a good option if you want something straightforward without dealing with themes, plugins, or too much technical setup.

Platform to consider

Hostinger Website Builder

• Beginner-friendly templates
• Clean, fast-loading layouts
• AI tools that can help speed up setup
• Hosting and website builder in one place

Pros

• Faster to set up than self-hosted WordPress
• Less technical maintenance
• Hosting and website builder are bundled together

Cons

• Fewer add-ons and customization options than WordPress
• Templates can feel limiting if you want a lot of design freedom
• Moving to another platform later may take some work

3. Use WordPress.com (Hosted WordPress Option)

If self-hosted WordPress feels like more than you want to deal with right now, this can be a simpler way option if you still like to use WordPress.

WordPress.com lets you build a website using WordPress, but without handling your own hosting, security, backups, or software updates yourself. A lot of the technical side is managed for you.

That makes it appealing if you like the idea of WordPress but want something more beginner-friendly.

There’s a free plan if you want to start simple, though your site will use a WordPress.com domain (like yoursite.wordpress.com). If you want your own domain name, you’d need to upgrade to a paid plan.

You still get themes, blogging tools, and customization options, though the amount of flexibility depends on the plan you choose.

How is this different from self-hosted WordPress?

With self-hosted WordPress, you have more control, but you manage more yourself.

With WordPress, much of that is handled for you, which makes it easier to start, though a bit more limited unless you move up to a higher-tier plan.

Pros

• Easier entry point into WordPress
• Hosting, security, and maintenance are handled for you
• Good blogging features and website templates

Cons

• Free and lower-tier plans have fewer customization options
• Some advanced themes, plugins, and features require upgrading

4. All-in-One Website Builders (Non-Wordpress)

Not every author wants to spend time figuring out hosting, plugins, or WordPress settings. Sometimes you just want a professional website you can set up quickly.

All-in-one website builders are platforms that handle everything: hosting, design, templates, and support. They are for authors who want sleek, professional websites with easy and quick setup. Since they don’t require technical skills, they are very beginner friendly.

Platforms to consider

• Squarespace – Elegant templates designed for creatives. For showcasing your books, blog, and author brand beautifully, where visuals matter most.
• Wix – Visual editor with drag-and-drop design. Has a free plan but requires a paid plan for a custom domain and to remove wix branding

Pros

• Very beginner-friendly
• Easy way to get a polished site up fairly quickly
• Blogging, SEO tools, security, and updates are built in
• Good option if you want less tech to manage

Cons

• Subscription costs can add up over time
• Some features sit behind higher-tier plans
• Less flexible than WordPress if you want to expand a lot later
• Moving your site elsewhere can take some effort

5. Use Author-Focused Platforms

Some platforms are built specifically for writers. These author website platforms come with built-in features like book listings, event pages, email signup forms, and other tools that built in for writers and book marketing.

Author-first platforms to explore:

• Pub Site – A dedicated author website builder with features like book pages, event listings, and media kits.
• Author Websites by Bookbub – Also a good option to create an author website, with templates and tools for collecting emails from readers.
• Tertulia For Authors – A website builder made just for authors, allowing them to import their books and reviews and create a complete website with About and Contact pages.

Pros

• Built with authors in mind
• Less setup than building everything yourself
• Useful features for book marketing and reader connection

Cons

• Less design freedom than broader website builders
• Some features may depend on the plan you choose
• You may be more tied to that platform’s system

6. Ecommerce Platforms That Also Let You Build a Site

Some platforms are built for selling, but they also include simple website-building tools. Because of this, they can also be used as author website platforms. They work well for authors who want direct-to-reader sales, especially for eBooks, print books, fan merch, or digital downloads.

Platforms to consider:

• Payhip – Simple, free to start, and lets you sell physical or digital books. You can also run a blog and customize product pages. Payment options include PayPal and Stripe.
• Shopify – Powerful e-commerce platform. Ideal if you’re selling multiple books, merch, or bundles. Includes blogging, multiple apps, and marketing integrations like social media sales and email tools.

Pros

• Good option if direct-to-reader sales matter to you
• Website and store can live in one place
• Useful for selling books, digital products, and extras like merch

Payhip Cons:

• Limited customization.
• Not as sleek as other website builders.

Shopify Cons:

• Costs can grow with apps and add-ons
• Slight learning curve for new users.

7. Link-in-Bio or Creator Tools That Can Act as Your Site

Not every author needs a full traditional website. If you mainly want a simple online home, maybe a page for your books, newsletter signup, and important links, these tools work well.

They can be useful if you want something fast to set up, mobile-friendly, and easy to manage. Many also let you connect a custom domain to make your site feel uniquely yours.

Platforms to consider

• Beacons – More than a link-in-bio tool. It has a website builder and has simple storefront features. It also lets you create pages with links, email signup forms and product links.
• Beehiiv – Known for newsletters, but now also offers a much stronger website builder than many people realize, including drag-and-drop site building, SEO features, and customizable pages for authors growing an email audience.
• Carrd – Single-page builder with flexible layouts. Ideal if you want a quick website.
• Kit.com – Offers creator profiles and simple pages where you can feature books, links, products, and newsletter signup forms.

Pros

• Very easy to set up
• Good if you want a simple author presence fast
• Often free or relatively inexpensive
• Can work well as a starter website

Cons

• Less customization than full website builders
• Limited blogging and SEO features compared to larger platforms
• May feel too lightweight as your platform grows

8. Canva as a Website Builder

Yes, Canva, the tool you probably already use for designing book promo graphics, can be used as a simple website builder. It’s an option if you want to create an author website that has the pretty aesthetics without needing tech skills.

Canva’s builder is designed for one-page or multi-page websites. You start with a template, drag and drop your content, and customize it just like you would with a social media post or flyer. Canva allows you to connect your own domain, or publish for free on a Canva-branded link.

Pros

• Very approachable if you’re already comfortable using Canva
• Strong visual design options
• Mobile-friendly layouts
• Works nicely alongside the rest of Canva’s design tools

Cons

• Limited SEO and website functionality compared to dedicated builders
• Not ideal for large blogs, stores, or more complex author platforms
• Better for simpler websites than sites you plan to grow heavily

Don’t Overthink It

A lot of writers delay building a website because they think it has to be perfect from day one. It doesn’t. Don’t overthink it. A simple author website with your books, a short bio, and a way for readers to reach you is already doing its job. And once you are comfortable with it and it isn’t over your budget, you are on the right path.