Authors today have more ways than ever to connect with readers, and to sell print and digital books directly without being tied entirely to big marketplaces. Gone are the days when Amazon was the only practical option. Now, so many tools exist to help you build your own sales channels. Writers can choose from full website builders, simple storefronts, social-first selling tools, and even email-based checkout systems.
That abundance of choice is great but it also creates a core challenge: What is the best choice among the many website builders for authors to sell books? The difficulty is deciding on the one platform for your needs. Every author’s needs are different. Some writers want customizable websites with built‑in shops. Others want lightweight storefronts linked from social profiles.
In this post, we’re comparing a wide range of storefront and website builders so you can identify which platforms work best for your needs.
I advise that you read my blog posts on 5 ways to sell ebooks directly to readers and 5 methods to sell print books to readers before this post to have a better idea on how to go about direct book sales.
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.
Full Website and Shop Builders
These platforms allow authors to create a complete website with an integrated online store. They are ideal you want full control over branding, content, and long-term growth while selling books directly from your website.
1. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an e-commerce plugin that works with WordPress websites. It turns your site into a fully customizable online store.
For authors, WooCommerce is powerful because it supports both digital downloads and physical products. You can sell eBooks with automatic delivery, and you can sell print books either by bulk printing and shipping orders yourself or by integrating print-on-demand services. There’s the highest level of flexibility, but it requires more setup and maintenance.
What authors can sell: eBooks, print books, bundles, merch
Print fulfillment options:
- Bulk printing + manual shipping
- Print‑on‑demand integrations via third‑party plugins like Lulu Direct and Bookvault.
Strengths:
- Nearly unlimited customization
- Full control over branding, pricing, and checkout
- Supports complex setups and scaling
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Requires hosting, regular updates, and maintenance
- Can feel overwhelming for beginners
Best for:
Authors who want full control, already use WordPress, and don’t mind managing a more technical setup.
2. SureCart
SureCart is a modern checkout and e-commerce system designed for WordPress users who want something simpler than WooCommerce. It focuses on clean checkout experiences and digital products.
Authors can sell eBooks easily and also sell print books if they handle fulfillment through bulk printing and manual shipping. SureCart is less complex than WooCommerce, making it great for authors who want simpler customization.
What authors can sell: eBooks primarily, with manual print handling
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing + manual shipping
Strengths:
- Simpler setup than WooCommerce
- Great for digital sales with optimized checkout
Limitations:
- Less flexible than WooCommerce
- Still requires WordPress and hosting
- Fewer advanced customization options
- Not as robust for physical products
Best for:
Authors with digital-first sales goals or authors who want to sell from WordPress without a complex e-commerce system.
3. Shopify
Shopify is a fully hosted e-commerce platform built specifically for selling products online. While not author-specific, it’s widely used by writers who want a professional storefront.
Authors can sell eBooks through digital delivery apps and sell print books through bulk inventory or print-on-demand integrations. Shopify excels at automation and scalability, but monthly costs can add up.
What authors can sell: eBooks, print books, merch
Print fulfillment:
- Plug in POD services for automated printing and shipping
- Bulk printing + manual fulfilment
Strengths:
- Professional store builder with tons of integrations
- Great analytics and sales tools
Limitations:
- Monthly cost + payment processing fees
- Less content flexibility than WordPress
- Not a great option for setting up an author portfolio alongside selling
Best for:
Authors who want a professional storefront and plan to focus heavily on selling.
4. Squarespace
Squarespace combines website design and e-commerce in a beautiful interface. Many authors choose it for its aesthetic appeal.
You can sell eBooks with digital delivery and sell print books through manual fulfillment or print-on-demand integrations. Squarespace is intuitive, though not as customizable as WordPress.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing + manual shipping
- Print‑on‑demand integrations only for merch using Printify and Printful
Strengths:
- Good for portfolios + shops
- Clean, professional designs
Limitations:
- Limited customizations
- Not ideal for complex stores
- Fewer third-party integrations
Best for:
Authors who value aesthetics, and want a site with minimal setup and basic selling tools.
4. Wix
Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder with built-in e-commerce features. It’s known for ease of use and visual design.
Authors can sell eBooks easily and sell print books by managing inventory or connecting Print-on-Demand services like Bookvault and Lulu Direct. Wix is less flexible than WordPress but far easier for beginners.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing + manual shipping
- Print‑on‑demand integrations via third‑party plugins like Lulu Direct and Bookvault.
Strengths:
- Very beginner‑friendly
- No coding required
Limitations:
- Less flexible for advanced setups
- Can become limiting as you scale
- Fewer publishing-specific features
Best for:
Authors who want simple but aesthetic design and basic selling tools.
5. Hostinger Website Builder
Hostinger Website Builder is a beginner-friendly website builder bundled with Hostinger’s hosting services. It offers an all-in-one environment where authors can create a simple website using AI with a few quick prompts or by choosing from their website templates. Basic e-commerce features can be added without advanced technical setup.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing + manual shipping
Pros
- Affordable pricing compared to many website builders
- Easy to use, even for non-technical authors
- No need for plugins or coding
Cons
- No native print-on-demand integration
- Limited customization compared to WordPress or Shopify
- Newer tool, so fewer advanced features than more established platforms
- Not ideal for complex stores or large catalogs
Best for:
Authors who want a simple, budget-friendly website with basic selling functionality and minimal technical overhead.
Storefront & Shop Page Builders
These platforms focus primarily on selling, not complex websites. They are quicker to set up and often preferred by authors who want speed and simplicity.
6. Fourthwall
Fourthwall is a creator-focused storefront with built-in print-on-demand services. Authors can sell eBooks, print books, and merchandise from one place.
Because general POD is already integrated within the store builder, you don’t need to integrate 3rd party apps or plugins for that purpose or manage inventory and shipping for merch. However, you may need to bulk print and manually ship print books as the platform does not have direct integration with book specific Print-on-Demand services.
Sellables: eBooks, print books, merch
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing + manual shipping
Strengths:
- Built for creators
- Easy setup with already integrated payment methods
- Built-in print-on-demand fulfillment for merch
- Easy to upload, list and sell digital products
- Has a free plan with most features needed to set up
Limitations:
- Very few third-party integrations
- Limited customization
Best for: Authors who want all-in-one selling with minimal setup.
7. Payhip
Payhip is designed for selling digital products, including eBooks. It also supports physical product listings, though print fulfillment is usually manual or handled externally. The exception to this rule is with Bookvault, as Bookvault, a print-on-demand book service can be integrated with Payhip. This means Payhip can be a great option to build an author book store if you already use Bookvault.
It’s simple, and affordable as it has a free plan.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing + manual shipping
- Print‑on‑demand integration with Bookvault.
Strengths:
- Great for beginners
- Has a free plan with all features you need for set up
- Built-in VAT handling for digital products
Limitations:
- Primarily optimized for digital products
- Manual fulfillment required for print books, though Bookvault integration is supported.
- Limited customization
Best for:
Authors focused mainly on selling eBooks who want a simple store.
8. Gumroad
Gumroad is a straightforward platform for selling digital products. Authors can upload eBooks, set prices, and start selling quickly. Print book sales are limited and usually require manual handling, making Gumroad best suited to digital-first authors.
Sellables: eBooks mainly. To some extent, print books (via manual processes)
Print fulfillment:
- Mainly for ebooks but manual fulfilment is possible for print
Strengths:
- Excellent for digital products
- Extremely fast setup
- Handles payments and file delivery
- No website required
Limitations:
- Not a full website. Platform dependable.
- High transaction fees
- Limited branding and customization
- Not ideal for print books
Best for: Authors who want the fastest possible way to start selling eBooks.
9. Sellfy
Sellfy is an online store builder for digital and physical products. Authors can sell eBooks and use their built-in print-on-demand services to sell merch. They can also bulk print and manually fulfil printed books.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing + Manual fulfilment
Strengths:
- Combines digital + physical selling
- Easy to set up
Limitations:
- Monthly subscription cost
- Limited customization
- Less author-specific features
Best for:
Authors who want one tool for all sales.
10. Books.by
Books.by is designed specifically for authors, offering storefronts with built-in print-on-demand for books. Because POD is native to the platform, authors don’t need to manage fulfillment themselves. It helps you set up a storefront that is reader focused, with a simple checkout. Books.by does, however, require you to pay annual fees which can be a big cost for a new author yet to build an audience.
Sellables: Print Books
Print fulfillment:
- Built-in Automated POD fulfillment
Strengths:
- Designed specifically for authors
- No inventory or shipping management
- Simple setup
Limitations:
- Limited customization
- Less flexible than full storefront platforms
- Primarily focused on print so not a good option for ebooks
- High annual fees
Best for:
Authors who have a large audience, and who want a low-effort, author-focused print book storefront.
11. Lemon Squeezy
Lemon Squeezy is a checkout and digital sales platform. It’s mainly used for digital products like eBooks. Print books are not its primary focus, making it best for digital-only authors.
Sellables: eBooks
Print fulfillment:
- Mainly for ebooks
Strengths:
- Great digital sales tools
- Handles payments and taxes
- Good checkout experience
Limitations:
- Not designed for print books
- Limited storefront features
- Less intuitive for non-technical users
Best for:
Authors selling digital-only books who want a great checkout system.
12. Ecwid
Ecwid is primarily an e-commerce platform designed to add online selling to existing websites, rather than a traditional website builder. While it does offer a lightweight “Instant Site” feature, its main strength lies in embedding a store into platforms like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or even social media pages.
For authors, this means Ecwid works best if you already have a website and want to layer in the ability to sell eBooks or print books without rebuilding your entire site. You can manage products, payments, and orders from one dashboard, while keeping your existing site structure intact.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Mainly manual fulfilment
Strengths:
- Integrates into existing sites easily
- Good for flexible ecommerce setups
- Supports multiple platforms
Limitations:
- Pure storefront. Not a full site builder on its own
- Less control over design
Best for:
Authors with existing sites who want to add a shop..
Link-in-Bio & Landing Page Storefronts
These tools are designed for authors who sell primarily through social media traffic. They turn social profiles into shop channels, which is great for mobile audiences. Though they are more of landing pages, they can serve as platforms to sell books directly to readers.
13. ThriveCart
ThriveCart focuses on creating high-converting checkout pages. Authors use it to create sales pages where they can sell eBooks and print books directly to readers.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing and manual shipping
Strengths:
- Great checkout features
- One-time payment pricing
- Flexible product setup
Limitations:
- Not a full store
- Less control over design
Best for:
Authors selling via email or social, or running launches and promotions.
14. Beacons
Beacons allows authors to create a link-in-bio page with integrated selling tools. It works well for mobile audiences, and makes selling eBooks to audiences easier.
Sellables: eBooks
Print fulfillment:
- Mainly for ebooks
Pros
- Very mobile-friendly
- Designed for social-first creators
- Easy setup
Cons
- Limited customization
- Not ideal for large catalogs and for print books
- Platform-dependent
Best for: Authors with active social media audiences.
15. Ko-fi
Ko-fi lets creators sell digital and physical products, and receive support from fans. Authors can sell eBooks and print books to social media audiences within their link-in-bio.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing and manual fulfilment
Pros
- Simple to use
- Mobile friendly
Cons
- Limited storefront functionality
- Less professional storefront feel
Best for: Authors with supportive, community-driven audiences.
16. Stan Store
Stan Store provides a simple storefront connected to social media. It’s optimized for digital products and helps you sell within your link-in-bio.
Sellables: eBooks
Print fulfillment:
- Mainly for ebooks
Pros
- Fast setup
- Designed for link-in-bio use
- Clean interface
Cons
- Limited customization
- Digital-focused. Not ideal for print books.
- Monthly subscription cost
Best for: Authors monetizing social media traffic with digital books.
Email-Based Checkout Tools
These tools allow authors to sell books directly from their email newsletters. Instead of sending readers to browse a shop, authors guide them from an email straight to checkout.
17. Kit (Formerly Convertkit)
Kit allows authors to sell eBooks directly through email campaigns. It is an email marketing platform designed for creators, with built-in tools for selling their digital products directly through email. Authors can create simple product pages, collect payments, and deliver eBooks automatically, all within the same system they use to communicate with readers.
Sellables: eBooks
Print fulfillment:
- Mainly for ebooks
Pros
- Seamless flow from email → checkout → delivery
- Great automation tools
- Ideal for relationship-based selling
- No need for a separate storefront
Cons
- Requires an engaged email list to be effective
- Limited product browsing experience
- Limited storefront design
- Not designed for large catalogs
Best for: Authors with active email lists who want to sell directly to readers they already have a relationship with.
Flodesk
Flodesk Checkout is an add-on feature within Flodesk, an email marketing tool, that allows authors to sell digital and physical products through beautifully designed checkout pages connected to email campaigns. It emphasizes simplicity and aesthetics.
Sellables: eBooks, print books
Print fulfillment:
- Bulk printing and manual shipping
Pros
- Clean, visually appealing checkout experience
- Very easy to set up and manage
- Works well for launches, pre-orders, and limited offers
- Integrates naturally with email campaigns
Cons
- Fewer automation features than Kit
- Requires an engaged email list
- Not for large catalogs
Best for: Authors who prioritize design, and want a simple, email-first way to sell books without managing a full store.
Summary Table: Choose a Platform Based on How You Want to Sell
| Platform | Sell eBooks Only | Print Books (Manual Shipping) | Alongside Author / Portfolio Website | Link-in-Bio Selling | Print Books (Automated / POD) | Sell eBooks + Print Books | Sell via Email List |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| SureCart | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Shopify | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Squarespace | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wix | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Hostinger Website Builder | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ecwid | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fourthwall | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Payhip | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Gumroad | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| Sellfy | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| books.by | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Lemon Squeezy | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| ThriveCart | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Beacons | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ko-fi | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| Stan Store | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Kit | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Flodesk Checkout | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
Key:
- ✅ = Supported
- ⚠️ = Supported with limitations
- ❌ = Not supported
