Compare big website builders and simple landing pages to choose the best website builders for authors based on your needs, budget, and goals.
Yes, You Need a Website as an Author
In today’s digital world, an author’s online presence can be as important as the stories they write. While social media can be a great way to connect with readers, it’s not a platform you truly own or control. The algorithms change, accounts get banned, and content can disappear overnight. But a website is something YOU own and control.
A website gives you full control over your author brand, providing a reliable, central hub that won’t be at the mercy of shifting social media trends. But what kind of website do you need? Should you go all-in with a multi-page site, or is a simple one-page website enough? Let’s explore your options.
In this post, I’ll explain the differences between big website builders and one-page builders, helping you decide which option best suits your needs as an author.
Big Website Builders: The Full-Fledged Option
The big website builders are the sites that most people think of when building a website. There’s a good chance you’ve seen a Super Bowl commercial for one of them.
There are several options, but the two I would consider here are WordPress and Squarespace, each with its own set of considerations.
WordPress powers over 60% of the websites on the internet. It’s highly customizable and powerful, but it can come with a learning curve based on the choices you make when setting it up – and there are a lot of those. WordPress also has the most options for Search Engine Optimization customization, which is an important factor if you plan to blog. WordPress will be one of the more affordable options for website builders.
Squarespace offers a more intuitive, all-in-one website builder with full drag-and-drop functionality. You can create beautiful websites from templates or start from scratch. That ease of use comes with a higher price tag and slower page loading speeds. They have the ability to add a blog to your website and offer the basic webpage SEO features that are most important with how AI is changing web searches.
The Pros:
- Customization & Scalability
- Built-in Blogging
- More Pages for Books, Media Kits, Blogs, etc.
- Advanced SEO Capabilities
- E-commerce & Membership Capabilities
The Cons:
- Higher Cost (subscriptions, domains, hosts, themes, plugins)
- More Complex to Set Up & Maintain
One-Page Builders: A Streamlined Approach
A one-page website, often called a landing page, is a simple yet powerful way to establish your online presence as an author. Unlike traditional multi-page websites, a one-page site is a single, standalone web page that serves as your online space. It’s designed to provide all the important information —your bio, book links, newsletter sign-up, and social media—without the need for extensive navigation or upkeep.
I.e., it’s simple. No algorithms, no distractions, just your work front and center.
For a seamless experience, I recommend you create a landing page with your email marketing tool because everything is already connected. MailerLite is my top pick for its ease of use and built-in landing page features. I go in-depth about why it’s the best option in this blog post, exploring the best email marketing platform for authors. If you’re looking for another option, I’ve heard great things about Carrd but haven’t tried it myself yet.
Pros:
- Quick & Easy Setup
- Cost-Effective
- Minimalist & Mobile-Friendly
- Ideal for Simple Author Branding (bio, book links, newsletter sign-up)
Cons:
- Limited Customization
- Harder to Scale as Needs Grow
- Advanced SEO Limitations
You can read more about one-page author websites in my post here.
How to Choose: Which One Is Right for You?
If you’re still on the fence, check out the ideal uses for the types of builders and see what resonates with the author brand you’re looking to establish.
Choose a Big Website Builder If…
- You want to blog or post regular updates.
- You have services or programs that you sell in addition to your books.
- You want full design control and SEO optimization.
- You need advanced features like memberships or e-commerce.
Choose a One-Page Builder If…
- You’re a new or indie author looking for a simple, no-fuss site.
- You primarily need a place for book links and email list sign-ups.
- You don’t plan on blogging or updating content often.
- You want a budget-friendly, easy-to-maintain option.
There can be something tempting about having a bigger website. I understand the draw.
Maybe it feels more legit. But that comes with a cost to create and maintain.
Maybe you like the idea of blogging and sending updates to the world. But would you rather be writing your next book? Could this go in an email newsletter or a substack?
Maybe you picture 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years from now when you do offer other services as an author. Do you want to do that now or wait until it’s closer to reality? If it will hold you back from making progress, acknowledge that. If you just want to do everything now because you’re impatient, notice that, too.
The reality is that most authors don’t need a complex website with all the bells and whistles. What matters most is choosing a solution that fits your goals, time, and budget—so you can focus on what really matters: writing.
Start Small or Go Big—Make Your Choice and Build It
At the end of the day, the best author website is the one that serves your needs without adding unnecessary complexity. If you want a full-fledged website with blogging, advanced customization, and room to grow, a big website builder like WordPress or Squarespace is a solid investment. But if you’re looking for something quick, simple, and budget-friendly, a one-page website may be all you need—at least for now. It’s what a lot of authors choose – including me!
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to have a space that you own and control—one that showcases your books, builds your audience, and supports your author career for the long haul.
The TLDR:
- You need a website you own – Social media is unpredictable, but a website gives you full control over your author brand and online presence.
- Big website builders offer flexibility – Platforms like WordPress and Squarespace provide customization, blogging, and scalability, but they require more time, effort, and cost to maintain.
- One-page websites are simple and effective – A landing page (via MailerLite, Carrd, etc.) is a budget-friendly, low-maintenance option for authors who need a basic online presence.
- Choose based on your current needs – A big website builder makes sense if you want to blog or sell services. A one-page site is enough if you need a home base for book links and an email list.
- Start small—you can always grow – A simple landing page is better than no website at all. You can expand later if your needs change.
If you’re looking to create your one-page author website, check out my step-by-step guide to making a landing page in Mailerlite here.
Or if you’re still trying to decide the right fit for your author website, reach out here, and we can chat about what you’re stuck on.
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