I'm a newbie looking to set up a basic website as part of my marketing strategy for a book proposal. I just need something simple: a short bio, contact information, and links to my writing. I'm also on a tight budget, so I want to know how I can create and maintain this website without spending a lot of money. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
If you want a really quick and free solution, here’s a simple method: gather your content, ask an AI like Claude to generate an HTML page for you, and then use a free hosting service like hostit.inspert.app to get your website online in no time! Just remember that it’s all free.
There are many free options for hosting simple static websites like GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, and Netlify. I personally recommend either Cloudflare Pages or GitHub Pages since they have no hidden fees and keep you shielded from sudden charges during traffic spikes. Just be cautious with services like Vercel, as some users have faced hefty bills unexpectedly.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could also consider looking into static website generators. They can be a bit more technical to set up but would give you a lightweight and fast website. Just pick a generator, like Jekyll or Hugo, and follow their guides to set things up, hosting your site for free with GitHub or similar.
For a beginner, I'd suggest using a website builder like Wix or Squarespace, or you might consider getting a cheap hosting package and setting up your own site with WordPress. There are tons of free themes available that you can customize to fit your style. The beauty of self-hosted WordPress is that you can transfer your site later if needed, unlike site builders that can lock you in. It’s a bit more work, but it could save you money in the long run.

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