So, you’ve decided it’s time to build your author website. Congratulations! Whether you’re a new writer launching your first book or a seasoned author looking to improve your online presence, having a website is crucial for connecting with readers, selling books, and establishing your brand. But here’s the big question: What is the best way to build an author website? Should you DIY your website, or should you opt for a Done-For-You Author Website?

Both options have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your skills, budget, and goals. Let’s break it down so you can decide what works best for you.

The DIY Approach: Building Your Own Author Website

With platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace, creating a website from scratch has never been easier– if you know what you’re doing. Is DIY really the right move for you? Let’s break down the pros and cons!

✅ Pros of DIY Author Websites

• Cost-Effective: If you’re on a tight budget, a DIY approach can be more affordable. Many website builders offer free or low-cost plans.
• Full Design Control: You get to design and tweak every detail to match your vision– and if you have an eye for design, this could be a good option for you.
• Learning Experience: Building your site can be a great skill to develop, especially if you enjoy tech and design.

⛔️ Cons of DIY Author Websites

• Time-Consuming: If you’re not familiar with website design, it can take a lot of time to create something professional-looking.
• Limited Customization: Free and basic plans often have limitations on design and functionality– and great functionality is the key to a successful author website.
• Technical Challenges: From security issues to plugin updates, managing a site requires ongoing maintenance that can be overwhelming.

The Hands-Off Approach: Hiring a Professional Designer or Web Agency

Want a more hands-off approach to building your author website? You could consider hiring a professional to design and build your site. This option comes with many benefits, however unless you are working with an agency that specializes in creating affordable Done-For-You author websites (like us!), going the professional route can come with its own cons.

✅ Pros of a Hiring a Professional to Build Your Author Website

• Professional Design: You get a polished, high-quality website that reflects your brand.
• Time-Saving: No need to spend hours figuring out how to customize a website—leave it to the experts.
• Better Functionality: A professionally built site ensures smooth navigation, mobile responsiveness, and essential author tools like mailing list integration and book sales features.

⛔️ Cons of a Hiring a Professional to Build Your Author Website

• Higher Cost: Many professional designers and agencies can be quite expensive, charging anywhere from $3,500-$10,000 for a high-quality professional website with all of the functionality you would want on your author website. While hiring a professional is worth the investment, we want to provide you with an option that gives you the same benefits, without the high price-tag. Keep reading to find out more!
• Less Control (Initially): While you can request changes, you may have to rely on the designer for updates and modifications unless you learn how to manage it yourself. Future updates and changes can also come with expensive hourly rates, unless you hire a designer who specializes in ongoing website hosting and maintenance.

The Best Approach: A Done-For-You Author Website That is Both Professional and Affordable

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds—professional quality at an affordable price—Look no further! Our Done-For-You Author Websites are the perfect solution for any author wanting to amp up their online presence.

Why Choose Us to Create Your Author Website?

✅ Affordable Pricing: We build high-quality, professional author websites at a fraction of the cost of big agencies—starting at just $500!

✅ Author-Focused Design & Functionality: We specialize in websites for authors, meaning every feature is designed to help you establish credibility, sell more books and grow your email list.

✅ Quick Turnaround: Your website will be up and running in no time, so you can focus on writing instead of waiting for a months-long web design process.

✅ Hassle-Free Setup: We handle everything—design, setup, integrations—so you don’t have to lift a finger. Simply tell us about your books and your journey as an author, then let us tell your story through great website design.

✅ Mobile-Friendly Design: Your website will look great and function perfectly on any device, ensuring a seamless experience for readers on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

✅ SEO and Marketing Optimization: We design well-optimized author websites that help you rank higher on Google and attract more readers.

✅ Ongoing Support & Maintenance: Choose from three different hosting and maintenance packages, so you never have to worry about security, updates, or website glitches.

✅ No Downsides! The only “con” is that you’ll have so much extra time on your hands that you might just have to write your next bestseller!

With our Done-For-You Author Websites, you get the best of both worlds: a stunning, functional website at an unbeatable price. Designed by professionals with 15+ years of experience.

Want to skip the hassle and get a high-quality author website designed for you? Check out our Done-For-You Author Websites and let the experts handle it for you!