For some reason, I can’t seem to stop thinking about this topic as I’m gearing up for this month’s Small Business Deals: July 2026 Edition post.
When is the right time to start selling direct?
Should you do it when you already have a sizeable audience?
Or should you ponder about it even when you don’t have a book coming out yet?
If you’ve been reading my blog long enough, then you know my stance on this one.
I won’t rehash it here since I already had a dedicated blog post to address this very topic.
TL;DR, you should get started with selling direct even when you don’t have any audience yet, but do it after your book is already out in the wild.
Yes, we all know it can be costly to set up your own storefront.
But the good news is there’s an affordable way to go about it.
And this is what this month’s Small Business Deals: July 2026 Edition post is all about.
Looking for a web hosting for your WordPress site? Get started with SetraHost
There’s no doubt you will need to have your own website if you want to sell directly.
And one of the ways you can do that is with WordPress, considering how flexible WordPress is.
You can have your online store running alongside your author website component while having a membership site all within the same domain.
But what gets people to stay away from using WordPress is the hosting cost.
Yes, you need a good hosting, for sure, but it doesn’t need to be top-notch like WP Engine.
If anything, this kind of hosting can be a little too much and can be a total waste when you barely have any traffic coming to your website.
So, which hosting should you get when a hosting like WP Engine can be pricey and a waste for those who are just starting out?
In this case, I recommend SetraHost.
Not only is it affordable, but it’s also perfect for new websites.
And the specs for their shared hosting plan aren’t too shabby, too, if you ask me.
Of course, it’s certainly not on the same par as WP Engine.
But hey, you can always upgrade to WP Engine once you outgrow your shared hosting plan.
SetraHost is the hosting that I’m currently using on my websites. You can have a look at them right here to learn more:
A note about their free domain offer
I won’t deny it’s great to get a free domain when you sign up with the SetraHost annual plan, since you don’t have to worry about the domain renewal every single year.
But having a domain and hosting in a single place can be a recipe for a hostile takeover.
And that’s not something you want for your website.
Rather than opting for the free domain that you get when you sign up with SetraHost, I suggest you get a domain name from somewhere else instead.
Not sure where to get your domain name from?
Well, you can get it from Namecheap or iWantMyName.
Namecheap is where I got my domain names from.
As for iWantMyName, it was the place where I got my domain name when I used to be active on Tumblr.
Whether you choose to get your domain name from these places or not, just remember not to have your domain and hosting in one place for safety reasons.
Make your author website look professional with the WordPress theme from Bluchic
Okay, I admit that I love my Divi theme since I can create my website layout without knowing a single line of code.
But the thing about Divi is that it can be overwhelming for some, even if you can use the ready-made template to customize your website.
And let’s not forget how pricey Divi can be, even if you opt for their annual plan.
So, what you should do if you want something that is professional-looking but don’t want to spend too much of your time nailing the right look for your website?
This is where the Bluchic theme comes into play.
What I love about the Bluchic theme is that you can use the theme right out of the box.
Just customize it with your own web copy and photos, and you’re pretty much done.
Of course, you can tweak the layout and create a customized layout thanks to the free Elementor page builder.
But you don’t have to do that either, since Bluchic also offers templates that complement your theme.
You can choose to get it as a bundle or buy it separately if you like.
The only downside is that the themes will only work best if you write fiction and nonfiction that caters to a female audience due to their light color schemes.
If that’s you, then I highly recommend that you get the Bluchic theme.
You can have a look at their wide selection of WordPress themes right here:
Get a premium WordPress theme from Bluchic
Selling direct doesn’t need to be complicated and pricey, thanks to Payhip
It’s no secret here that I use WooCommerce on my fiction author website.
But the issue with WooCommerce is that it can be a little complicated to set up.
Alternatively, you can also use Shopify, which has the same bells and whistles as WooCommerce, but is less daunting to set up.
The only issue with Shopify is that it can be way too pricey if you’re just starting out.
So, is there any way for you to sell directly to your readers without having to deal with the technical hoopla, and without breaking the bank?
Well, selling direct has now become doable thanks to Payhip.
Not only can you have your online store up and running in no time, but you can get started for free, too.
When I say free, I’m referring to the free plan, not a free trial whatsoever.
You can redirect your readers to buy your books on your Payhip store, like I always do on my author website.
Or you can make it your main website if you find it a hassle to maintain two different websites.
But keep in mind that the web optimization for the Payhip store isn’t as robust as the WordPress site, though.
You may need to rely on the paid ads to drive traffic to your Payhip store.
Want to get started with selling direct?
You can sign up with Payhip right here:
Sell books directly to your readers with Payhip
Small Business Deals: July 2026 Edition affiliate disclaimer
Just to let you know that the Small Business Deals: July 2026 Edition post contains affiliate links. I’ll be compensated when you purchase through my affiliate links. Don’t worry, I’ll be paid at no additional cost.
Your purchase through my affiliate links will help me continue sharing my insight on the business side of being an author on my blog.
And, of course, it helps keep this blog running for years, too.