These days, whether you’re chasing a traditional publishing deal or putting your work out into the world on your own, an author website is a must.
Think of it as your cozy online home, a place where readers, agents, and publishers can drop by, get to know you, explore your work, and even sign up to hear more.
The best part? You don’t need to break the bank (or spend anything at all) to create a simple, polished site that does the job beautifully. Here’s how to make it happen, one easy step at a time.
Why You Need an Author Website
Before we jump into building your site, let’s talk about why it matters so much. In the sea of books, social media profiles, and online noise, your author website is your anchor.
It’s your personal little corner of the internet a space that’s 100% yours. Here’s why it’s worth having:
⚫It’s where readers can find you.
Think of your website as your official online headquarters. Whether someone stumbles on your name through a blog post, a review, or a friend’s recommendation, they need a place to land.
Your website neatly pulls together all your books, links to your social media, and the best ways to get in touch.
⚫You control the story.
Unlike social media platforms that can change the rules overnight, your website is yours. You decide how it looks, what goes on it, and how long it stays there.
This means you can present your work and your story exactly how you want.
⚫It helps you sell books.
Your site can direct readers to the exact places they can buy your books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, your local indie bookstore, or even directly through you.
⚫You can build an email list.
Social media algorithms come and go, but an email list gives you a direct line to your readers. You can tell them about new releases, events, or just share behind-the-scenes updates.
⚫It lets your personality shine.
A website is the perfect place to show readers who you are beyond the author photo.
You can share your writing journey, what inspires you, funny stories from the drafting trenches, anything that deepens the connection.
⚫It builds credibility.
A clean, professional-looking website tells readers (and potential agents, editors, or media) that you’re serious about your writing career.
The “Free” Route: What to Expect
Now, about that budget-friendly promise. The great news is you can absolutely set up a professional author website without spending a dime, thanks to platforms that offer solid free plans.
But it helps to know what comes with the territory. Here’s what using a free plan typically looks like:
▪️You’ll have a subdomain.
Instead of yourname.com, your web address might be yourname.wordpress.com or yourname.wixsite.com/author. It’s a small trade-off for skipping the domain registration fee.
▪️You’ll have limited space.
Free plans give you enough room for text, photos, and basic content. But you might run into storage caps if you try to upload lots of large files or expect heavy traffic.
▪️Platform branding will be visible.
Most free sites include a small line like “Powered by WordPress.com” or display a discreet ad. It’s usually not intrusive, but it’s part of the deal.
▪️Fewer bells and whistles.
Free versions offer a narrower set of themes and customization options. Still, there’s more than enough to create a polished, attractive site.
A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Get Clear on Your Goals
Before you dive into picking themes or writing catchy bios, pause for a moment and figure out what you want your author website to actually do.
Think of it as planning the blueprint for your house—knowing which rooms you need before you start decorating.
Ask yourself:
▪️Is your main goal to build a mailing list?
So you can keep readers updated on your next book launch or special deals.
▪️Do you want to showcase your published books?
Maybe with a beautiful gallery of covers and links to buy.
▪️Are you planning to start a blog?
Sharing writing updates, behind-the-scenes stories, or tips for fellow writers.
▪️Want to offer freebies?
Like a downloadable short story or a sneak peek of your next novel.
▪️Need a press or media kit?
So journalists or event organizers can easily grab your bio and photos.
Jot these goals down somewhere. They’ll guide not only what pages you include, but also how you organize everything.
And remember: you don’t have to do it all at once. You can always grow your site over time.
2. Choose the Right Free Platform
Now it’s time to pick where your website will live. Fortunately, there are plenty of solid free platforms that make it easy to get started without touching your wallet. Here’s a quick tour:
➡ WordPress.com
Probably the most popular option for authors.
▪️Gives you a free yourname.wordpress.com web address.
▪️Tons of themes, plugins, and blogging tools.
▪️Easy to scale up later with a paid plan if you want your own domain or advanced features.
➡ Wix
▪️Known for its drag-and-drop builder—great if you want full visual control.
▪️Free plan gives you a username.wixsite.com/sitename URL.
▪️Good selection of templates.
➡ Weebly
▪️Very beginner-friendly, with simple editing tools.
▪️Also provides a free subdomain.
▪️Slightly fewer design options but very easy to maintain.
➡ Google Sites
▪️Ultra-simple, straightforward, and integrates neatly with your Google Drive.
▪️Works well for a minimalist “business card” site (bio, contact info, maybe a book list).
➡ Carrd
▪️Ideal if you want a sleek, single-page website, perfect for authors who just need a portfolio, bio, and links.
▪️For most writers, WordPress.com is the go-to choice. It’s built for blogging and content-heavy sites, which means it’ll grow with you as you publish more books or start an email newsletter.
3. Pick a Theme & Make It Yours
Think of your website’s theme like the outfit it wears. It should look professional but also reflect your style and genre.
When choosing a theme, look for:
✅ Clean, readable fonts—no fancy scripts that are hard to read.
✅ Room for a strong homepage image, like your book cover or a portrait.
✅ Menus for key pages—About, Books, Blog, Contact.
Once you’ve picked a theme, customize it:
▪️Upload a professional photo. At least a clear, friendly headshot.
▪️Choose colors that match your genre or brand. Tools like Coolors help you pick a palette.
▪️Write a short tagline. Something like:
Fantasy Author | Coffee Addict | Lover of Epic Quests
It’s these small touches that start to make your site feel uniquely yours.
4. Build Your Essential Pages
Good news: you don’t need dozens of pages. A lean, purposeful site often makes a stronger impression. Here are the basics:
⚫About
Introduce yourself in a friendly, concise way. Share a bit about who you are, what you write, and why. Add a high-quality photo so readers feel like they’re meeting you.
⚫Books (or Work)
This is the heart of your site.
Published? Display your book covers, short blurbs, and links to buy.
Unpublished? Highlight works-in-progress, contests won, or writing samples.
⚫Blog or News
Optional—but it’s a great way to keep your site fresh. Share writing updates, sneak peeks, or even favorite books you’re reading.
⚫Contact
At a minimum, include an email or contact form so readers, event organizers, or journalists can reach you.
⚫Newsletter Signup
Even if you don’t plan to email often yet, start collecting addresses. Use Mailchimp’s free plan and embed the signup form right on your site.
5. Add Those Personal (and Persuasive) Extras
◾Social links: Let people easily find your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
◾Calls-to-action: Invite visitors to “Sign up for my newsletter” or “Read my latest story.”
◾Testimonials or blurbs: If you have endorsements or kind words from readers, sprinkle them in to build trust.
6. Make It Mobile-Friendly & Search-Friendly
Most people will visit your site on their phone. Make sure it looks good and works well on small screens.
Also:
◾Use clear page titles and meta descriptions so Google knows what each page is about.
◾Structure with headings (H1, H2, H3) so content is easy to scan.
◾Add alt-text to images to help with accessibility and search engines.
7. Test Everything & Then Go Live
Before you shout it from the rooftops:
✅ Click through every page.
✅ Fill out your own contact form to make sure it works.
✅ Try it on your phone and tablet.
Once it’s solid, hit publish—and celebrate!
8. Spread the Word
Now that your shiny new site is live:
◾Add the link to your social media bios.
◾Include it in your email signature.
◾Mention it in guest posts, podcast interviews, or your Amazon/Goodreads author profiles.
9. How to Keep It Free
Stick with the platform’s free subdomain for now (custom domains cost ~$10–15/year).
🔘Use free stock photo sites like Unsplash or Pexels for backgrounds or headers.
🔘Only install free plugins or apps.
🔘Start small and upgrade only if you really need to remove ads or get extra features.
Conclusion
Creating a free author website is not just possible, it’s a smart and accessible first step for any author looking to build their brand and connect with readers online.
By utilizing platforms like WordPress.com, Wix, Weebly, or Google Sites, and focusing on essential content and good design principles, you can establish a professional and effective digital presence without spending a dime.
Start small, build intentionally, and watch your author platform grow!