A FREE Website for Children’s Authors

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free website for childrens authors
I created my first author website right after I published my debut book back in 2012. And ever since I started Children’s Book University™, I’ve been asked whether or not a website for children’s authors is necessary. 

To me, having my own home on the web seemed to be the most logical next step after publishing my first book. Little did I know that this would end up taking me weeks (months even) of my time to learn how to create my own website.

Hosting? What’s hosting?

Domain registration? Where do I do that?

And what in the world are plugins?

And while I did manage to fight my way through this jungle of new terms, providers, and hosts, I remember feeling so incredibly overwhelmed when I created my very first website. I now have about 5 different websites, and own about double that many domain names. 

Today, I wanted to share my thoughts, as well as the dos and don’ts regarding a website for children’s authors. So if you’ve been thinking about creating one but weren’t sure whether you should or not, this article is for you.

We’ll cover:

  1. Why you may want to consider a website
  2. When exactly you should start thinking about one
  3. The 4 website elements you don’t want to miss (PLUS an Extra One)
  4. What to name your website (What Domain Name to Get)
  5. Where to get your (traditional) website
  6. How to get an absolutely FREE website (for beginners, with Video)
  7. BONUS: an absolutely FREE website for advanced users
But first, you might be thinking…

‘Why in the World would I need an Author Website?’

I personally see my author website as my home on the web, where my readers (both big and small) can find me, my work, and my services. It’s where I can post updates, future book projects, and other things I’d like to share. 

New authors often shy away from creating their own website. And often that’s to do with fear. Fear of being perceived as arrogant or full of themselves. After all, who would want to learn and read about them, right? And wouldn’t a simple Facebook page or Instagram account be enough?  

First of all, I promise you that no one will think you’re arrogant or full of yourself for having your own website. In fact, I bet you’ve never thought that about anyone with a website. Right? So why would others think that about you? 

And second, a website gives you a certain air of credibility. Whenever I consider doing business with someone that shares their gmail address with me instead of their own website, it always feels a bit funny to me. It feels like I’m about to deal with someone that is trying to own a business, but doesn’t quite believe in him or herself just yet. 

And if this person doesn’t fully believe in her own business herself, how could I? Even though she might be just as capable, creative, and amazing as her competitor, with all things being equal, I’d pick the one that has a professional online presence.

Which brings me to my next point:

A Website for Children’s Authors – When Should You Start Thinking About One?

Here, my answer depends. It depends on what YOU are planning to do and be once you write and publish your children’s book. Creating a professional-looking website takes time, especially if this is your very first time, so I want to make sure you’re making the right decision for your and your circumstances. 

To help you with your decision, I’ve created this little YAY (yes, create your own website) and NAY (no, don’t create your own website) table below:

YAY

  • If you’re planning to write more than one children’s book
  • If you want to have a dedicated place on the web to send (potential) readers to
  • If you’re planning to have your own place to share / offer / sell your own books

NAY

  • If you’re not planning to write more than one book
  • If you’re not planning to share and promote your children’s book online
  • If you have a publisher who creates a website for you
Oftentimes, we feel a bit overwhelmed when thinking about the creation of our very first children’s book. And that’s why I want you to know that it is absolutely okay to not start out with an author website. You may decide to publish your book without one, and then add an author website at a later point in time. And that is absolutely, perfectly fine too. I promise! 

However, if you are planning to write more than one children’s book, it’d be best to create a website eventually. 

And really, your website doesn’t have to be anything grand. It only needs a few things to look professional and to benefit you and your beautiful children’s book. Below, I’ll share with you the 4-5 main things your children’s book website should have. Anything beyond that is simply a bonus; a nice-to-have, not a must-have.

What Every Website for Children’s Authors Should Have

Here are the essential elements of a website for children’s authors:

1. BOOK PAGE:

This is where you share your book(s), showcasing your beautiful cover, as well as the direct (and clean) link to Amazon or wherever it is you want people to purchase your children’s book at. 

This would also be the place where you could share a book trailer as well as your book blurb or description. 

To share an example with you, I’ve included a link to one of my book pages right here. I personally have opted to simply showcase each book’s cover and purchase link.

2. ABOUT PAGE:

This particular page is all about you, the author. Here, I would share a picture of yourself as well as a short biography. This is usually a bit longer than what we’d share in our regular author bio that we include on Amazon or directly within the book.

Here is one of my own About Pages as an example.

3. MEDIA PAGE:

A media page is meant to showcase the places your book has been mentioned and featured in. This particular page will be a continuous work-in-progress, as you will add each of your features as they occur. This page can always be added later, so don’t worry if you haven’t had any media coverage just yet. 

Here is one of my own media pages. But again, remember that this took me years to ‘fill,’ mainly with techniques I share within my Influencer Outreach masterclass.

4. CONTACT PAGE:

This page is meant to allow others to easily contact you, whether that’s to learn more about you or your books, send any media inquiries, or simply to connect with you. On this page, you can also share any social media platforms you are using, for example:
  • Facebook 
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • etc. 
Your Contact Page can be a completely separate page, as it is here:
Or it can be part of your Media Page, as it is on one of my websites right here, where I simply share my email right above my media features:

5. CONTACT ‘COLLECTION’ PAGE: (optional)

This page is absolutely optional. This will be used to ask for and collect the emails of your website’s visitors. This is especially relevant if you’re planning to write multiple books or a series. Collecting your readers’ email will provide you with the opportunity to reach out to them whenever you’re ready to share a new children’s book with them.

One of the most common questions I receive from my students as well as readers is whether we should create a website for each book we’re writing, or for us as the author. So this is what I’ll briefly talk about next:

What to Name Your Website (i.e. Domain Name)

When it comes to naming your website (i.e. your domain name), we essentially have three main options:
  • Use your author name
  • Use the name of your book or your series
  • Use the name of your imprint
Any three of these options is absolutely fine! There really is no right or wrong. 

If you decide to base your website’s name on your own name, you are essentially establishing yourself as your brand. There are many such examples:

Oftentimes, authors decide to create a website for their series. That’s often the case when the series is successful and has created its own fanbase:

And finally, the third option of using the imprint is used when an author has more than one book, but not all belong to the same series:
Whether you use your own name, your book’s title or series title, or your imprint is entirely up to you, and again depends on your plans you have and goals you set for yourself and your books.

What is Needed for a Traditional Website

When considering your own website for children’s authors, you will generally need two things:
  • A domain name 
  • A hosting provider (that gives your website a place to ‘live’)

Each, of course, comes with a slew of options to choose from, with providers such as BlueHost, GoDaddy, A2 Hosting, Squarespace, and so many more. Each comes with a different monthly (or annual) subscription fee that greatly depends on what you are looking for.

But if you remember the subtitle of this article, it reads “… And How To Get Your Own Author Website For FREE.”

So that is what I’ll share with you next: 

FOR BEGINNERS: Your own FREE Website for Children’s Authors

About a year ago, in an attempt to help one of my Children’s Book University™ students find the most cost-effect solution when it comes to the creation of her own website for her newly published children’s book, I shared Google Sites with her. Google Sites is a website building platform from … Google.

I created a number of different children’s author-specific templates, as well as step-by-step video instructions to help her build her own website, absolutely FREE of any monthly or annual subscription fees.  

And because I get asked quite often about author websites, I bundled these templates and videos into a mini course I named Author Website Studio, where you can create your own, free website in three simple steps:

Some of my students have called this one of my best-kept secrets (because I never really talk much about this mini course), and urged me to share it with you. So here I am, sharing away. 

Here’s a quick walk-through I did on one of my students’ children’s book author websites she has created with the help of Author Website Studio:

If you would like to take a look at what is included in Author Website Studio, you can do so right here:

ADVANCED: Your own FREE Website for Children’s Authors (If You Need a Bit More)

If you are looking for something that is a bit more advanced, but still absolutely FREE, then I would suggest checking out GrooveFunnels. This is an amazing All-In-One platform, and the reason I suggest this for advanced users is because it can feel a bit overwhelming at first. But it truly offers so many wonderful options that you may want to use later on:

  • Collecting of Emails
  • Selling of your books (or other products)
  • Fun Quizzes
  • Insightful Surveys
  • Video Hosting
  • and so, so much more

The base-level of GrooveFunnels is absolutely free, so if you feel you might need these extra features sometime down the lane, this would be the one I would recommend. 

Whether or not you decide to create your very own website is of course entirely up to you! I do hope that I was able to get you started with the promoting and marketing of your beautiful book by sharing with you how to increase your online visibility and presence. 

I get so many requests from authors to help them with their website, so I’m unbelievably excited about this amazing tool – all created with you in mind. 

xo

~ Eevi

You may also be interested in:

Your ISBN For Your Children’s Book.
The BEST Tool For Children’s Book Authors
Create the BEST Children’s Book Writing Space
If you found this helpful, you may be interested in my weekly share I send out every Sunday. It’s one of my clients’, students’, and readers’ favorite resource I offer. If you’d like to join, simply add your name and email below. I can’t wait to see you in your inbox!