Better Marketing
Jun 27
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An online presence isn’t obligatory for online success, but it surely can’t hurt to point your fans to a little space of your own on the web.
This gets overwhelming pretty quickly, though. A gazillion services to choose from.
Let’s go over some platforms for newbies and less techie people.
I wouldn’t recommend fiddling around with a WordPress.org installation or paying a monthly fee for a web builder like Squarespace, WordPress.com, Wix, etc. in the beginning.
I really wouldn’t.
In many cases, it’s a waste of time and money. Even if you plan on creating a blog. We’ll get to that in a minute.
Trust me, I’ve done this a thousand times in the past. I’ve created WordPress blogs and developed WordPress themes. It’s fun, but it isn’t easy. And the tools that do make it easy are not free. Or cheap.
Instead, let’s have a look at other routes you can take.
The easiest way to start a simple, yet functional and useful website is a landing page service like Linktree, Bio.link, and others.
Everybody must have seen those by now. Linktree is just one of many similar platforms. Linktree is good, some others might fit you even better. I have compiled a short list of Linktree alternatives here.
A custom domain is hard to find with Linktree-like platforms. Bio.link is going to add this feature soon for free which is amazing.
Linktree and alternatives usually only offer one single landing page. You might need more than that.
In this case, take a look at other site builders for free. A hybrid between Linktree and a “real” website would be services like Carrd or Milkshake.
With these two platforms, you can create visually appealing sites with multiple pages or cards. It’s not extensive, but a little more than Linktree offers.
Did you know you can quickly turn a Notion page into a website? There are a lot of tools that do exactly that. Most of them cost, though. One of the most popular is Super.
If you hunt a little more on the web, you’ll find free alternatives. One of those is Popsy.
It’s a dead-simple service, in my opinion, but the outcome is a nice-looking and highly customizable website on top of Notion.
And the best part: Popsy is free, even if you want to add a custom domain.
Notion is also free, of course, and a great way to combine a powerful productivity tool with your website building needs. I use Notion for everything. I write my Medium stories in Notion (on the go as well!). I created a Notion writing system called Medium OS. I’m a big Notion fan.
Even if you need a website, a blog, and a shop to sell digital products, you can get it all for free. No need to pay for Shopify, a website, and a CMS.
Simply use Gumroad or Payhip. Both selling platforms are free to use with the option of connecting a custom domain to your site.
Gumroad has a unique design. I like it. It’s not customizable, though. Payhip has a lot of options to make your site look the way you want. Here are my Gumroad and Payhip sites.
Both services feature a dedicated space to blog. Both also serve as newsletter tools. Another huge plus.
Of course, Gumroad and Payhip are perfect for selling your digital products. Each of these tools is fairly easy to understand and set up.
You might need a website, but you certainly don’t have to pay to get one in the beginning. So, don’t!
You can use wordpress.org for free if you’re keen on developing a complex system, but for most of us, it’s overkill.
Instead, use any of the 4 groups of tools to get a website up and running in no time for free. With the addition of custom domain support on most of them.
P.S.: Are you a Medium writer? No, then sign up here*. Also, check out Write OS, my comprehensive writing system for online writers. And while you’re at it, sign up for my newsletter. It’s free. And priceless 😉
*This is my referral link. I earn a small commission, you don’t pay more. You also have the chance to earn money on Medium. I made $3000 in my first 6 months.
Burk
Burk
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A publication by and for marketers. We publish marketing inspiration, case studies, career advice, tutorials, industry news, and more.
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Hi. I’m Burk. I write on Medium & design digital products. Get my FREE Medium newsletter → http://masterminds.byburk.net
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