Author Website Hosting: Everything You Need to Know
Author website hosting serves as the foundation for your online presence, ensuring your site is accessible, fast, and secure. Whether you’re an aspiring author, self-published, or traditionally published, understanding how to select the best hosting service is vital for creating a professional, user-friendly website. This article explores what author website hosting is, why authors need it, key features to look for, types of hosting, the cost, and how to choose the best hosting service. It’s part of a 12-step Guide to Making an Author Website, written by a former literary agent who’s helped 400+ authors get literary agents and/or traditional publishers.
What is Author Website Hosting?
In simple terms, website hosting is a service that allows your website to be accessible on the internet. A hosting provider stores your site’s files and delivers them to visitors when they type in your domain name. For authors, hosting is especially important because it impacts the reliability, speed, and functionality of your site.
Why Do Authors Need Website Hosting?
- Establish a Professional Online Presence
A well-hosted website ensures that readers, agents, and publishers can access your site seamlessly. Hosting services provide the resources needed to display your books, bio, and contact information professionally.
Anecdote: Many self-published authors, such as Mark Dawson, attribute their success to having reliable websites that double as storefronts and hubs for reader engagement.
- Ensures Speed and Reliability
Website hosting plays a significant role in how quickly your site loads. Slow-loading websites can frustrate visitors and hurt your search engine rankings.
Fact: According to Google, 53% of mobile users will leave a site that takes longer than three seconds to load. A fast hosting service can help you retain visitors.
- Provides Security
As an author, protecting your site from hacks and data breaches is critical. Hosting services offer security features like SSL certificates, firewalls, and backups to keep your website and its visitors safe.
Key Features to Look for in Author Website Hosting
- Uptime Guarantee
Uptime refers to the percentage of time your website is accessible to visitors. A good hosting provider offers at least 99.9% uptime, ensuring your site is always available.
- Scalability
As your readership grows, so will your website traffic. Choose a hosting provider that can scale its resources to meet your needs without crashing or slowing down.
- Customer Support
Reliable customer support is essential for authors who may not be tech-savvy. Look for hosting providers with 24/7 support via chat, phone, or email.
- Easy Integration with Website Builders
Most authors use platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix to build their sites. Ensure your hosting service is compatible with your chosen website builder.
- Affordable Pricing
Budget is often a concern for authors, especially those just starting. Look for hosting plans that offer good value for money without compromising on features like speed, security, and support.
Types of Hosting for Author Websites
- Shared Hosting
- Best For: Beginners or authors with small websites.
- Description: Multiple websites share the same server, making this option affordable but potentially slower during high traffic.
- VPS Hosting
- Best For: Authors with growing traffic or multiple books to showcase.
- Description: Virtual Private Server hosting provides dedicated resources within a shared server, offering better performance than shared hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting
- Best For: Established authors with high-traffic websites or eCommerce needs.
- Description: Provides an entire server for your site, ensuring optimal performance and security.
- Managed WordPress Hosting
- Best For: Authors using WordPress who want a hands-off hosting experience.
- Description: Optimized specifically for WordPress websites, with automatic updates and enhanced security.
- Cloud Hosting
- Best For: Authors expecting fluctuating traffic (e.g., during book launches).
- Description: Uses multiple servers to ensure reliability and scalability, allowing your site to handle traffic spikes.
How to Choose the Best Hosting Service for Authors
- Consider Your Goals
Are you creating a simple portfolio website or a full-scale eCommerce platform? Your hosting needs will depend on the complexity and traffic expectations of your site.
- Focus on Speed
A fast-loading site enhances user experience and improves your SEO ranking. Look for providers that use SSD storage and offer Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
- Prioritize Security
Ensure the hosting plan includes features like SSL certificates, daily backups, and malware scanning to protect your website.
- Check Reviews
Research hosting providers to see what other users say about their reliability, speed, and support.
Popular Hosting Services for Author Websites
- Bluehost
- Known for its ease of use and excellent customer support, Bluehost is a top choice for WordPress users.
- SiteGround
- Offers fast speeds, strong security features, and managed WordPress hosting options.
- Wix
- Ideal for authors who prefer an all-in-one solution, including hosting and a website builder.
- Squarespace
- Popular among authors for its beautiful templates and integrated hosting.
- GoDaddy
- Offers affordable plans with good scalability for beginners.
How Much Does Author Website Hosting Cost?
Hosting costs vary based on the type of plan and provider. Here’s a general breakdown:
- Shared Hosting: $3–$10/month
- VPS Hosting: $20–$60/month
- Dedicated Hosting: $80–$300/month
- Managed WordPress Hosting: $10–$50/month
- Cloud Hosting: $15–$100/month
Why Invest in Reliable Hosting?
- Avoid Downtime
Unreliable hosting can lead to frequent crashes, frustrating visitors and potentially costing you opportunities to connect with readers.
- Ensure a Smooth User Experience
Fast-loading, secure websites encourage visitors to explore your work and subscribe to your mailing list.
- Protect Your Reputation
A poorly hosted website can make you appear unprofessional, damaging your credibility with readers, agents, and publishers.
Conclusion – Author Website Hosting
Author website hosting is an investment in your writing career. Choosing the right hosting company will ensure your site is accessible, fast, and secure, providing readers and industry professionals with a seamless experience. Whether you’re a debut author or an established name, reliable hosting is the foundation of a successful online presence. By considering your goals, budget, and technical needs, you can select a hosting provider that supports your website as your career grows. Now that you’ve read “Author Website Hosting,” click here for the next part of this guide to creating an author website called, “Author Website Privacy Policy.”
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Founded by Mark Malatesta in 2011, The Bestselling Author has helped 400+ writers get literary agents and/or traditional publishers. Notable authors Mark has worked with include Nelson Johnson, author of Boardwalk Empire, which Martin Scorsese produced for HBO; Leslie Lehr, author of A Boob’s Life, which is being adapted for an HBO Max TV series by Salma Hayek; and Scott LeRette, author of The Unbreakable Boy, published by Thomas Nelson and now a major motion picture by Lionsgate starring Patricia Heaton, Zachary Levi, and Amy Acker.
Authors who’ve worked with Literary Agent Undercover, a division of The Bestselling Author, have gotten six-figure book deals; been on the New York Times bestseller list; had their books adapted for TV, stage, and feature film; had their work licensed in 40+ countries; and sold many millions of books. Mark’s work as an author coach and consultant is informed by his previous experience as a literary agent, literary agency owner, AAR member, and Marketing & Licensing Manager for the gift and book publisher Blue Mountain Arts.
Click here to see Mark Malatesta reviews.