The Author's Guide to Domain Names, Website Platforms, and Websites
The Questions That Stump Every Author
"Lynn, I bought a domain name, so why don't I have a website yet?"
"My friend said I need WordPress, but I thought I was getting a Squarespace site?"
"Wait, I have to pay for hosting AND a platform? I'm so confused!"
Sound familiar?
I hear variations of these questions from almost every new client.
The confusion between domain names, website platforms, and websites themselves is one of the biggest stumbling blocks authors face when building their online presence.
Here's the thing: you wouldn't start writing a novel without understanding the difference between a plot, a publisher, and a finished book.
Similarly, you shouldn't start building your author website without understanding these three fundamental components.
Let me break it down using two analogies that will make everything crystal clear.
First, The Simple Definitions
Before we dive into analogies, let's establish the basic definitions:
Domain Name:
Your website's unique address on the internet (like lynnkrueger.com)
Website Platform:
The software or service that builds and hosts your website (like Squarespace, WordPress, or Wix)
Website:
The actual pages, content, and design that visitors see and interact with
Now, let's explore how these work together using a few examples.
Analogy #1: Think Like a Publisher
Let's use what you already know about the publishing world:
Your Domain Name = Your Book's Title
Just like your book needs a unique title that readers can remember and search for, your website needs a unique domain name. Your domain name should be…
Memorable and searchable: "Pride and Prejudice" is easy to remember, just like "stephenking.com".
Completely unique: No two authors can publish books with identical titles through the same publisher, and no two websites can have identical domain names.
Permanent identity: You might redesign your book cover, but the title stays the same. Similarly, even if you completely redesign your website, your domain name remains your consistent identifier.
How people find you: Readers search for your book by title; visitors find your website by typing in your domain name.
*Caveat: Technically, you can change your book title (I know a self-published picture book author who just republished under a new title), BUT this is only done in rare cases because you lose all the readers who knew your old title—just like changing your domain name means losing all the website visitors who bookmarked your old URL.
Your Website Platform = Your Publishing House
Think of Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, or Showit as different publishing houses, each with its own strengths:
Different specialties: Random House might excel at literary fiction while Tor dominates science fiction. Similarly, Squarespace excels at design-focused sites that are easy to edit, while WordPress offers endless customization options but has a steep learning curve better suited for coders.
Different costs and contracts: Publishers have different advance structures and royalty rates; platforms have different pricing tiers and features as well.
Handle the technical stuff: Your publisher manages printing, distribution, and logistics. Your platform—if you choose Squarespace, that is!—handles hosting, security updates, and technical maintenance. (Note: WordPress requires you to handle more upkeep, such as plugins and security updates.)
You can switch, but it's a big decision: Changing publishers between books is possible, but requires careful consideration. Switching platforms means rebuilding your website from scratch
Your Website = Your Finished Book
This is what your readers/website visitors actually experience:
The complete package: Your cover design, page layout, font choices, and content organization
Your brand on display: Just like your book's design reflects your genre and style, your website showcases your author brand
Can be updated: You can release new editions of your book, and you can update your website content, design, and functionality
The end result: All the behind-the-scenes work culminates in what readers/website visitors see and interact with
Analogy #2: Think Like a Driver
If the publishing analogy doesn't quite click, here's another way to think about it:
Your Website Platform = Your Parking Space
Your platform is the designated space where your website "lives" on the internet:
Provides the foundation: A parking space gives your car a place to sit; your platform gives your website a place to exist online.
Different locations, different costs: Premium parking spots cost more, just like platforms with premium features do.
Handles the infrastructure: The parking lot provides lighting, security, and maintenance; your platform provides hosting, security, and updates.
You rent the space: You pay monthly or yearly to keep your spot, just like you pay your platform subscription to keep your website’s spot.
Important note: Just like renting a parking space doesn't magically make a car appear, subscribing to a website platform doesn't automatically create your website—you still need to build it!
Your Website = Your Car
Your website is the actual vehicle that gets you where you want to go:
Customizable: You can choose the color, features, and style that fit your needs.
Serves your purpose: A sports car serves different needs than a minivan; a thriller author's website serves different needs than a romance author's.
Requires maintenance: Regular updates keep everything running smoothly.
What people see and interact with: When someone visits your website, they're experiencing your "car," not the "parking space" underneath.
Your Domain Name = Your License Plate
Your domain is your unique identifier in the vast internet highway:
Completely unique: No two cars can have the same license plate in the same state, just as no two websites can use the same domain name.
How people find you: Just like you'd tell a hotel your license plate number so they can locate your car in their parking lot, you share your domain name so people can locate your website.
Stays with you: You can paint your car or even get a new one, but your license plate number remains the same, allowing it to continuously identify the vehicle as yours. Similarly, if you redesign your website or even switch to a new website platform, your domain name remains the same.
Official registration: Just like license plates are registered with the DMV, domain names are registered with domain registrars. There are many places you can buy a domain; I always recommend Squarespace to my clients.
The Most Common Mistakes Authors Make
Now that you understand the differences, let's address the mistakes I see authors make all the time:
Mistake #1: Thinking a Domain Name Equals a Website
Buying a domain name is like registering your book title—it's just the first step. You still need to choose a platform and build your actual website.
Mistake #2: Choosing a Platform Based on Price Alone
The cheapest platform isn't always the best fit. Consider your long-term goals, technical comfort level, and the type of website you want to create.
Not sure which platform is best for you? Click below to take a free quiz!
Mistake #3: Not Planning for Growth
Your website needs will evolve as your career grows. Choose a platform that can scale with you from debut author to bestseller.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Technical Stuff
You don't need to become a web developer in order to have a beautiful author website, but understanding the basics will help you make informed decisions and communicate effectively with designers.
What This Means for Your Author Website
Start with Strategy, Not Software
Before you worry about domains and platforms, get clear on:
What you want your website to accomplish
Who your target audience is
How tech-savvy you are (or want to be)
Your budget for both setup and ongoing costs
Choose Your Platform Wisely
Consider these factors:
Ease of use: How comfortable are you with technology?
Design flexibility: Do you want complete control or curated templates?
Growth potential: Can the platform handle your future needs?
Support and community: What happens when you need help?
Pick a Domain Name That Lasts
Your domain name should:
Be easy to spell and remember
Reflect your author brand (usually your name)
Avoid trends that might date quickly
Be something you'll be proud to share for years
The Bottom Line
Understanding the difference between domain names, website platforms, and websites themselves isn't just about avoiding confusion—it's about making informed decisions that will serve your author career for years to come.
Your domain name is your permanent address in the digital world.
Your platform is the foundation that supports your online presence.
Your website is the face you show to readers, agents, and the publishing world.
When you understand how these three elements work together, you can make choices that align with your goals, budget, and technical comfort level.
More importantly, you can avoid the expensive mistakes that come from confusion.
Ready to Build Your Author Website?
Remember, you wouldn't publish a book without understanding the publishing process. Don't launch your author website without understanding these fundamentals.
Whether you're a debut author preparing to query or an established writer ready to elevate your online presence, the right combination of domain, platform, and website design will serve as the foundation for your digital author brand.
Want help navigating these decisions? I specialize in creating bespoke websites for authors who want to focus on writing while I handle the technical details. Learn more about my author website packages and let's build something amazing together.
