Authors Toolkit
A list of tools used by me and the rest of the Writers Building Websites team. Some of these recommendations contain referral links which don’t cost you any extra but may generate a commission for us. We only recommend what we use.
Web Hosting
Namecheap Domain Name Registration
Register a domain name and create your online identity. Use Namecheap’s advanced domain name generator to get your ideal choice right away. Already have a domain registered somewhere else? No problem — domain transfers are free and easy.
Get your ideal domain name with easy DNS mangement from Namecheap (link opens in a new tab).
Cloudways Web hosting
Cloudways is my go to webhost. Superfast with plenty of free added extras including 24×7 support, SSL, dedicated firewalls, staging area, daily backups and cloud based servers for a blisteringly fast website. I recommend the $10 per month Digital Ocean option.
You can try Cloudways free. (no credit card required)(Link opens in a new tab)).
eCommerce Platforms
Thrivecart eCommerce Platform
The No 1 eCommerce platform for direct selling authors. Create high-converting cart pages, funnels, and affiliate campaigns for your eBooks, Audiobooks, boxsets and merchandise. Thrivecart also comes with Learn, a powerful course / membership platform for your value added services or author subscriptions. Want to see what you can do with Thrivecart? Checkout our 100% free Thrivecart for Authors course.
Click here to pick up Thrivecart on a lifetime deal that includes all the added extras used in the Thrivecart for Authors course.
Payhip eCommerce Platform
Sell digital downloads, courses, coaching
and more from one simple platform. Payhip is ideal for authors who want to sell direct without all the admin.
SEO
SEOPress Plugin for WordPress
Launched in 2019 SEOPress is a powerful search engine optimisation plugin for WordPress and I never install a site without it. SEOPress is essential if you want your website to rank top of Google for your author name(s), books and series titles.
Forms
Fluent Forms for WordPress
I use Fluent Forms for mailing list sign ups, lead magnets, surveys, simple payment forms and more.
Fluent Forms Pro starts at $59 a year for a single site with a 14 day refund period (link opens in a new tab). If you’re already convinced I recommend investing in a lifetime deal .
CleanTalk Anti-Spam
CleanTalk protects your website from spam bots and spam in your contact forms, mailing list signups, comments and orders. For only $12 a year it’ll keep your author business spam free with the hassle of captcha’s or double-opt-ins.
Automation
MX Route Email Hosting
MX Route offers unlimited domains and unlimited email addresses from $49 a year. There is a lifetime deal as well. The trade off for the low cost is it’s a bit more complicated to set up but nothing major. Contact me if you get stuck. MXRoute accounts includes an SMTP service to deliver your website emails.
Pabbly Connect
Easily connect multiple applications and automate your admin and marketing tasks.
Start automating your author life with 100 free tasks a month when you sign up.
Pushover: Simple Notifications
Pushover makes it easy to get real-time notifications on your Android, iPhone, iPad, and Desktop (Android Wear and Apple Watch, too!)
Receive unlimited push notifications on any device from websites, services, and applications that integrated with Pushover. It’s only a $5 one-off payment for lifetime access (link opens in a new tab)
