Authors Toolkit
A list of tools used by me for my author business. Some of these recommendations contain referral links which don’t cost you any extra but may generate a commission for me. I only recommend what I use.
Author Platform
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)).
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.
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.
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.
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 .
Automation
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)
