Self-publishing authors should not overlook the importance of creating a free author website or blog in addition to using Facebook and Twitter, both of which are significant social media platforms.
Starting a blog holds immense importance for numerous reasons, chiefly because it helps you achieve search engine listings on popular platforms such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo, which eventually enable people to discover your blog posts.
Posting thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter, or a personal blog will not increase your visibility on search engines like Google.
If authors want to improve their Google indexing and ranking, they must have a blog as it is crucial for any small business.
Why you need a blog
If you want your name and books to show up in online searches, the sole option is to possess a blog or website.
Taking this step marks the beginning of your authentic book marketing journey.
One more rationale is that there is no limit to the number of pages or posts you can create solely for your book.
Subsequently, these can be utilized to upload and circulate on social media platforms in conjunction with pictures of your book cover.
Repeatedly posting links to your book on Amazon or Kindle Unlimited is not as informative for readers and not as effective.
You have complete control, which is the ultimate reason.
You are the one who has power over the content of your website or blog.
You can enhance your self-promotion as an author and provide more extensive coverage of your books.
Consider your free author website to be the virtual marketplace for your literary works.
By consistently blogging, you can establish your digital footprint and subsequently enhance your visibility on search engines.
Free blog platforms or paying?
Which are the top blog sites?
The most ideal option for professional bloggers is a self-hosted WordPress blog due to its abundance of added features and various forms of automation.
However, you need to pay for your server space and personalized domain name to host a blog.
A proficient use of technical abilities and knowledge is essential for operating an open-source content management system (CMS).
WordPress hosting may not be the best choice for those who are new to blogging.
When utilizing free blog platforms, concerns over web hosting, security, and coding are alleviated as all necessary components are provided for a successful start.
Utilizing other gratis writing tools to assist in the creation of fresh blog content is also an option.
Creating a blog is made simple by the drag-and-drop website builder featured on the most frequently utilized free blogging platforms.
Ample choices for customization are provided to enhance the visual appeal, and occasionally, a free domain name and integration with Google Analytics are also included.
In case you realize that you need additional features after successfully setting up your blog on a free platform, some of these platforms offer a paid option that unlocks more advanced functionalities.
The free versions are sufficient for beginners in blogging as they provide numerous functions and choices to commence with.
What are the advantages of a free blog site?
With a free blog maker, technical skills are not a requirement, which is the major benefit.
Setting up a new blog is made effortless by the majority of them with the aid of a drag-and-drop website builder.
Typically, there are sufficient customization choices available to design an attractive website.
Another major advantage is that one does not have to be concerned with locating and funding web hosting.
Every well-known blogging platform offers a no-cost option for building a website or blog.
One effective method to draw in readers is to compose blog articles and subsequently promote them on social media.
Including affiliate marketing links in your text may sometimes be permissible and can result in a minor source of income for you.
Google Analytics is an excellent tool for monitoring your progress, and it can also be utilized to link any complementary blog.
You can be completely unconcerned about site security or software updates since the platform service handles everything for you.
Are there any disadvantages to a free blog?
You’ll be limited in your access to additional features when using anything that’s free.
It will not be possible to establish an internet shop, a discussion board, or incorporate premium plugins to enhance performance.
New bloggers typically do not require a switch to premium plans.
Most of the time, there are adequate free choices to ensure that a blog operates effectively.
A significant disadvantage of using free websites is that you are unable to have a unique domain name for your blog.
The extension of the platform you choose will serve as your complimentary domain.
Your URL on the blogger platform of Google will be joethefamousauthor.blogspot.com rather than joethefamousauthor.com.
In a similar fashion, a branded web address will be allotted to you if you opt for a free blog on WordPress or Weebly.
Without having your own domain name, achieving any ranking on Google Search will be difficult, resulting in minimal potential for receiving organic traffic to your blog.
Although free host blogs typically do not offer custom domain names, it is feasible to pay for one with certain providers.
The expense will vary based on your priorities. However, the monthly cost is generally only a small amount, so it is not prohibitively expensive.
The most popular blog sites
Here are the most popular free blog sites for promoting your books in case you don’t have a website or blog yet.
None of them cost anything, and they are straightforward to establish and operate, requiring minimal effort to start blogging.
1. Weebly
The one thing that Weebly excels at is simplifying the task of website creation, rendering it an effortless process.
For writers who want to exhibit their books swiftly, this is an outstanding option.
You have access to all the necessary tools to create blog content and attract a readership.
You don’t require knowledge of technical aspects. Simply design your attractive new blog and enjoy.
2. WordPress.com
Every month, approximately 70 million new posts are published by users of WordPress.com.
This equates to roughly 1,600 fresh blog posts generated per minute or more than 26 per second.
Furthermore, WordPress blog posts receive more than 77 million comments per month.
With the wide variety of free high-quality themes available, all designed by expert web designers, rest assured that your website will be both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.
Undoubtedly, the best method to develop an outstanding website and blog is through wordpress.com’s free version.
Creating a functional home or landing page with flexible menus is feasible; however, if you’re a newcomer to blogging, be prepared to experience a brief period of learning.
It is a straightforward process to import all your blog posts and pages if you decide to convert and migrate from the free plan to a self-hosted WordPress site in the future.
3. Wix
In 2006, Wix initially began as a complimentary platform for blogging. Currently, it has enabled an impressive 150 million individuals to access its website platform, spanning across 190 countries globally.
The website constructing tool of Wix utilizes a drag and drop feature and is designed with a WYSIWYG software that gives you a preview of your blog layout prior to publishing.
Although they have multiple paid options available, they also provide a free alternative.
Who Would Like Wix
For those seeking a no-fuss approach to creating a blog without incurring expenses, Wix is an excellent selection. This option eliminates the need to handle matters such as security, backups, hosting, and more, as Wix takes care of everything, including on their free platform plans.
If one intends to monetize their blog or achieve a personalized appearance, the free version of Wix is not suitable.
General Information about Wix
The founders of Wix had a vision to develop a tool which would enable individuals without coding or design skills to create their own website. This is why they have been emphasizing on providing a free blogging option to aspiring bloggers globally.
To put it differently, their goal was to develop an effortless means of enabling individuals to establish a blog or website.
You receive the following with the complimentary version of Wix:
- Up to 500MG storage
- Up to 500MB bandwidth
- Customer Support
4. HubSpot
Chances are, you are familiar with HubSpot as a customer relationship management platform, even if you have not utilized it as a content management system.
HubSpot has a reputation for its acclaimed comprehensive solution that encompasses various tools found within its Marketing, Sales, Service, and Operations Hub. Over the past few years, HubSpot has notably advanced in the CMS sector, having recently released its no-cost CMS platform.
HubSpot’s platform stands out for its ability to connect business tools and website tools seamlessly, creating a centralized hub for both your brand and customers.
Who is HubSpot’s Free Blogging CMS for?
Previously, HubSpot was an excellent selection for marketers, salespeople, and customer service groups. However, thanks to their straightforward website builder and content management system, HubSpot is now a top pick for both small and large enterprises seeking a comprehensive solution to handle their entire organization.
With HubSpot’s complimentary business instruments, you can start utilizing their free CMS. If you aspire to expand, HubSpot provides advanced editions and functionalities that can support your growth.
General Information About HubSpot’s Free Blog CMS
HubSpot now offers a free CMS platform that equips you with all the essentials to launch a site with excellent content and enhanced security measures. This package comprises:
- Free theme marketplace with built-in templates
- Built-in SEO recommendations to optimize content
- Included security measures including SSL, web application firewalls, and malware detection
- Content distribution network and content hosting
- Integrations with their marketing, sales, and support tools
5. Medium
Unlike the other free blogging sites listed, Medium differs as it is not a genuine website building platform.
Although Medium is a blogging site that does not charge a fee, it operates akin to a combination of a social media platform and a community for writers.
However, you can freely share your blog content on Medium without any charges, and you can begin immediately.
Who Would Like Medium
If you’re a writer seeking exposure through a free blogging platform with a sizable integrated community element, Medium is an excellent alternative. It’s an ideal fit for a leisurely blog or for discovering your writing style.
One of the reasons why individuals resort to Medium is to revive the content they have created elsewhere. Utilizing Medium’s existing followers, some people opt to re-share the blog posts that they have already published on their main blog in order to increase traffic towards it.
General Information About Medium
The original intention behind Medium was not to provide a platform for free blogging, but instead to offer a social media alternative for individuals who desired to publish lengthier articles than what was possible on Facebook or Twitter.
In 2012, CEO Ev Williams published a blog post titled “Welcome to Medium” in which he elucidated the platform’s aim.
Medium is a recently developed domain that allows individuals to exchange thoughts and tales beyond the boundary of 140 characters, and not just with their inner circle. Its primary objective is to offer amusing anecdotes that brighten up your day and influential manifestos that transform the world.
Writing on Medium allows for occasional or infrequent contributions without the obligation of maintaining a personal blog. Regardless of frequency, your content is shared within a dynamic and active community, rather than on a solitary website that you must sustain on your own.
Medium’s key advantage is that it provides you with a pre-existing audience, which is comparable to sharing content on platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
6. Blogger
Blogger is a reliable choice for free blogging platforms, although it may seem a bit behind the times. It’s ideal for those looking to experiment with blogging without investing any money.
Google acquired this free blogging platform in 2003, and rather than having complete ownership of your site, you essentially lease it from Google.
Who Would Like Blogger
If you want to begin your hobby blog for free, Blogger is a viable choice. Nonetheless, considering the abundance of more advanced and up-to-date free blogging platforms accessible nowadays, I personally don’t suggest selecting Blogger.
General Information About Blogger
Pyra Labs initially developed Blogger in 1999 as a free platform for blogging for the general public during the early stages of blogging. Google acquired the platform later in 2003 when it became considerably popular.
Once, commencing a blog without spending much money was highly sought-after, but nowadays, it is not as in demand.
Although there are various ways to personalize content on Blogger, the platform lacks the refinement found on contemporary blogging websites.
