More and more authors have started rethinking the way they sell their books, especially their eBooks. There’s a growing desire for more control over pricing, royalties, relationships with readers, and even the way their books are presented online.
For many, two reasons are at the heart of this shift:
- First, authors want to keep more of their earnings. Traditional platforms like Amazon take a cut of every sale, sometimes 30% or more. When you sell directly, you keep the bulk of your profits.
- Second, writers are tired of relying on platform algorithms and unpredictable visibility.
Still, it’s not a decision everyone makes quickly. Selling eBooks directly to readers comes with its own learning curve and responsibilities. If you’re still weighing the idea, I’ve written a detailed post breaking down the pros and cons of selling books directly. You can read that first if you’re unsure whether this route is right for you.
In this post, we’re focusing on the how. We’re going to walk through five different ways you can sell eBooks directly to readers, depending on your current goals, your comfort with technology, and how much of an audience you already have. Each method works differently, and each suits different needs and skills.
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. Selling eBooks Through Your Own Website
Selling eBooks directly through your own website is the most flexible and ownership-driven option available to authors.
If you already have an author website, or plan to build one, you can integrate e-commerce functionality to sell digital products directly. Website builders like WordPress, Squarespace, Wix and Shopify all allow authors to add digital products, accept payments, and deliver files automatically after purchase.
This method gives you full ownership of your storefront, your branding as an author, and your relationship with your readers. You control everything: how your sales page looks, the checkout experience, pricing, discounts, and delivery.
That control comes with responsibility. You’re in charge of setup and maintenance. While modern tools make this easier than it used to be, it still requires some technical confidence or a willingness to learn.
Pros:
- Full control over your brand and reader experience
- Keep nearly 100% of profits (minus payment processing fees)
- Build and own your reader email list
Cons:
- Requires setup, design, and tech knowledge
Best for:
Authors who want long-term control, already have a website or audience, or want to build a full writing business over time.
2. Using Ready-Made Digital Product Platforms
If building or managing a complex website feels overwhelming, ready-made digital product platforms offer a simpler alternative. Platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, and Lemon Squeezy are beginner-friendly alternatives.
These platforms are designed specifically for selling digital products like eBooks. You upload your file, set a price, and get a clean product page (in the case of Gumroad) or a simple website (in the case of Payhip and Lemon Squeezy) you can share with readers. These platforms handle most things: checkout, payment processing, file delivery, and even basic email marketing features.
They do charge a fee (either a small monthly rate or a percentage of each sale), but in exchange, you don’t have to worry about hosting, plugins, or complex technical stuff. For many authors, it is an easy way to sell ebooks directly without committing to a complex website infrastructure.
Pros:
- Quick to set up with zero coding
- Automates checkout and file delivery
- Ideal for beginner authors
Cons:
- Limited design customization
- Platform fees can add up over time
- Branding options are limited. This is especially the case with Gumroad where your store page ultimately exists within Gumroad’s ecosystem
Best for:
Authors who want to start selling fast, without dealing with website design or tech-heavy tools.
3. Selling eBooks Through Link-in-Bio Pages
If your audience is mostly on social media, you can turn your Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter profile into a simple sales channel using a link-in-bio storefront. Tools like Ko-fi, Beacons, and Stan Store let you sell digital products right from your profile. Instead of sending followers to multiple platforms, you create a single landing/link- in-bio page where readers can buy your eBook directly.
You set up a mini-store within the page, add product links or files, and connect your payment method. It’s a quick and mobile-friendly way to let readers buy your eBooks without needing to visit a full website.
The strength of this approach lies in its immediacy. Readers discover your work and can purchase it within a few taps, without navigating a full website. This method works especially well for authors who engage frequently on social platforms, and want easy and quick buying experiences.
Note that link-in-bio selling depends heavily on traffic. If you don’t already have consistent engagement, this method may not result in sales.
Pros:
- Very quick to set up
- Great for mobile-first readers
- Low maintenance
Cons:
- Dependent on social traffic
- Limited customization
Best for:
Authors building a following on social media who want to offer easy, direct purchases.
4. Using All-in-One Creator Platforms
All-in-one platforms are built for creators who sell multiple types of products—not just books.
These platforms combine website building, digital product sales, print-on-demand options, and sometimes memberships or subscriptions in one system. Authors who want to sell eBooks alongside print editions, bundles, merch or bonus content often choose this route. Such platforms already have print-on-demand products as well as other services integrated into their website builders, and are also set up for digital products. Examples of such platforms are Fourthwall and Sellfy.
Pros:
- Easier to offer both digital and physical products including merch
- Less technical setup
- Everything is integrated in one ecosystem
Cons:
- May require paying monthly fees
- Design may feel limited compared to complex websites
Best for:
Authors who want an all-in-one solution where they can sell their eBooks, merch, subscriptions and memberships.
5. Selling eBooks Directly Through Your Email List
This is the most relationship-driven method of direct eBook sales.
Your email list isn’t just for newsletters. It can actually become one of your most powerful sales tools. If you’ve built up a community of subscribers who know, like, and trust your work, you can sell eBooks directly as an author through email by embedding direct purchase buttons.
Modern email platforms allow you to create digital products inside the email system itself, so subscribers can purchase directly from a link in your email and receive the eBook automatically.
This approach works because email subscribers are already invested. They’ve chosen to hear from you, trust your voice, and are more likely to support your work. Email-based selling often results in higher conversion rates than social media, even with smaller audiences. It also removes algorithm dependency entirely.
An email marketing platform that supports commerce directly is Kit.
Pros:
- Highly engaged audience
- No algorithms. Direct connection with readers
- Can be combined with any other method
Cons:
- Requires consistent list-building
- Needs regular engagement to stay effective
Best for:
Authors with a growing or engaged list who want to turn connection into direct sales, one email at a time.
Bonus Method: Using BookFunnel for Direct eBook Delivery
While BookFunnel isn’t a storefront on its own, it plays a powerful supporting role in direct eBook sales. BookFunnel is designed to help authors deliver eBooks securely and professionally after a reader has made a purchase elsewhere. Instead of emailing files manually or worrying about download issues, BookFunnel provides readers with device-specific download options and customer support for common tech problems.
Authors pair BookFunnel with their website, email list, or digital product platforms to handle delivery smoothly. Bookfunnel integrates with many platforms including Payhip, Woocommerce, Shopify, and email marketing services.
Think of BookFunnel as the delivery engine behind your direct sales, not necessarily the sales page, but the system that ensures readers actually receive and can read your book on the device of their choice without issues. They send a private link to the reader to download the book right after purchase, and you can have your files watermarked for security.
How to Choose the Right Method for You
The best approach depends on:
- Your audience size
- How comfortable you are with tech
- Your available time and energy
- Your long-term publishing goals
For a complete beginner who wants something simple, a basic digital product platform or email-based sales may be enough. If you’re building a long-term author business, your own website may make more sense.
So whether you build a full storefront or simply add a purchase link to your next email, direct eBook sales can be as simple or as powerful as you make them.
And if you’re still deciding whether selling directly is the right path for you, don’t forget to read our in-depth post on the pros and cons of selling books directly to readers. It’s a great place to start before diving in.
