Tools & Tips for Romance Authors
The Best Author Website Platforms
My top 3 Recommendations
01
Carrd.co
Best For: Debuts & Tight Budgets
If you're just starting out, on a super tight budget, or just want a quick, professional website to send people to Amazon, Instagram, etc, Carrd.co is the epitome of simple elegance. Sure, it only allows for single-page websites, but many authors can totally make that work, especially for $19 a year. Think of it like a "link in bio" type of page, but it looks way more legit when Reese's team wants to get in touch re: book club picks.
02
Showit
Best for: Effortlessly Showing Off
I'm totally obsessed with this platform; I wish everyone would use it! (It's also what this site is built on). It's my go-to recommendation for authors looking to stand out in a crowded market. The design flexibility is unmatched, the customer service is the best I’ve ever experienced, and if you’re an author with multiple series, their genius “site canvas” feature will save you hours when building and updating your site. The negatives? No built-in ecommerce capabilities, and I don't love their blogging experience.
Shop my Templates →
03
Squarespace
Best For: Authors who Need a Shop
Squarespace was my top recommendation for authors for nearly a decade—until I found Showit. That said, it’s still the absolute best choice if you want to sell books or merch directly to readers. With its all-in-one platform, you can create a sleek author website and a built-in shop, making it easy for readers to browse and buy. Not to mention it keeps everything simple to manage on your end!
The Other Guys
Wordpress
My experience with some popular alternatives
Maybe a hot take, but I find WordPress clunky, frustrating, and overly reliant on third-party plugins for essential functionality. It’s often called “free,” but that's really only true if you know how to code. A good Wordpress site requires an excellent Wordpress designer. If you're ready to hire a premium designer that knows Wordpress and author website needs, you'll be fine. Otherwise, proceed with caution when it come to DIY, even if you've found a pretty template.
Shopify
If your main objective is selling merch or signed paperbacks, Shopify is the e-commerce gold-standard. Just be aware that your site will look first and foremost like a "shop," and less of a showcase for your brand and stories. And as with Wordpress, you'll likely need to install (and pay for) 3rd party plugins. But if your #1 priority is selling direct to readers, this is an excellent choice.
Framer
Framer is a powerful platform that creates stunning websites, but its steep learning curve makes it a tough sell. Unless you are a pro with Figma or are extremely tech-savvy, it's likely to feel overwhelming. I've been teaching myself the platform for months, and still haven't created a site I'd feel proud of publishing. While I'm impressed by its potential, most authors will find Showit or Squarespace a less stressful choice.
Webflow
The most powerful platform on this list—but that power comes with an even steeper learning curve than Framer. I’m not saying you shouldn’t use it, but if terms like CSS class system, breakpoint, flexbox, CMS, and HTML aren’t in your vocabulary, this probably isn’t the platform for you.