Everyone has different needs when it comes to choosing and creating a website. Writers have their own considerations, such as platforms that excel at content or those with simpler interfaces.
Here, we’ve compiled our top website builder picks for writers. Each option is a strong choice, and the best one for you will depend on your needs and plans. Read more and get writing. ✍️
Best Website Builders for Writers
WordPress
Pricing: You can download for free, but must pay for hosting (like Bluehost). Managed WordPress plans (like Flywheel offers) typically cost a little more, but come with great features and better scalability.
Best For: Writers who want maximum control and customization for their site.
WordPress is the most customizable and flexible website builder option for writers. You can customize your site’s design, features, and functionality to suit your writing niche through plugins, themes, and custom code.
However, the customization and complications can be reasonable drawbacks for writers who want a simplified experience. While WordPress has plenty of professional support, it might not be the best option for those seeking simplicity.
Pros
- Extremely customizable for any writing niche
- Robust blogging and SEO features
- Scales to accommodate audience growth
- Large active user community for support
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than beginner site builders
- More hands-on management required for security, updates, etc.
- Must handle your hosting
WordPress offers unmatched control to build virtually any kind of writer website imaginable. But its power comes at the cost of a steeper learning and maintenance curve. Overall, WordPress is ideal for writers who want full site customization.
Squarespace
Pricing: $16-$49/month (annual prices) 14-day free trial available.
Best For: Creative writers who want an elegant, easy-to-use platform.
Squarespace is an all-in-one website platform that is also highly popular. It has beautiful templates and simple creative features to customize your site without getting too complicated. It also has plenty of additional features, making it a good choice if you want to scale to selling products like books on your site.
However, the simplicity does come with drawbacks. Depending on hosting, it’s more expensive than a basic WordPress site, and it doesn’t allow as much customization or feature WordPress’s top-notch CMS features.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing templates
- Robust blogging capabilities
- Integrated ecommerce options
- Top-notch multimedia galleries
Cons
- Less flexibility than WordPress
- Limited options for advanced users
If you’re looking for a simple and elegant way to manage your site, Squarespace is a great option. It has some drawbacks compared to other platforms like WordPress, but it also excels at simplicity.
Wix
Pricing: $16-$159/month
Best For: Beginner website builders looking for an easy drag-and-drop editor.
Wix is a user-friendly website builder that makes creating websites intuitive through drag-and-drop tools and pre-designed templates. Writers can choose a design customized to blogging, author websites, online magazines, and more.
While templates provide structure, you have significant control to customize pages and layouts. Wix also has SEO and marketing tools built in to help drive traffic.
Pros
- Extremely easy drag-and-drop editor
- Numerous templates for writing/blogging
- Free basic plan available
Cons
- Templates limit advanced customization
- Must connect own domain for free plan
- Some add-ons and features require expensive plans
With an easy-to-use interface ideal for beginners, attractive templates designed for writing, and extensive tools, Wix provides a solid website-building option for writers who value simplicity over advanced control.
How to Choose a Website Builder
Choosing the right website builder is a key decision in establishing and showcasing online work. Let’s walk through some main considerations:
- Identify Your Primary Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your website. Whether it’s to share your writing, build a portfolio, engage with a community, sell your books, or offer freelance writing services, knowing your primary goals will guide your choice.
- Consider Your Technical Skills: Evaluate your technical prowess. Some website builders require little to no technical skills, while others might require a basic understanding of web design and coding.
- Budget: Set a budget for your website. This should include the cost of the website builder, domain name, hosting (if not included), and any additional features or plugins you may need.
- Explore Available Features: Look for essential features like a user-friendly editor, customizable templates, responsive design support, SEO tools, social media integrations, and monetization options.
- Examine the Monetization Options: If you plan to earn money from your website, check the monetization options available. These might include ad platforms, affiliate marketing, subscription models, or e-commerce capabilities.
- Community and Support: A strong community and good customer support can be invaluable, especially if you have issues or need help.
- Take Advantage of Free Trials: Most website builders offer free trials or free plans. Use these to test the platform to see if it meets your needs and expectations before committing.
- Consider Future Growth: Choose a platform that can accommodate your growth. Whether you want to expand your content, increase your audience, or enhance monetization, the platform should be able to scale with you.
Overall, you should test out what you can, note what you like and don’t like, consider pricing, and plan ahead. If you do that, you’ll be much more likely to make a solid choice.
Bottom Line
The website builder you use significantly impacts how you present your work, interact with your audience, and monetize your content. Among those discussed, each has its unique strengths:
- WordPress: Unparalleled customization and growth capability.
- Squarespace: Elegant templates and easy-to-use tools for creative writers.
- Wix: Simple drag-and-drop editor with numerous designer templates.
Evaluate your specific writing goals, skills, budget, and needs. Select the website builder that best aligns with the type of writing site you want to create. With the right platform choice, you can effectively showcase your writing how you want. ?
