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Free tools to start an ebook selling website

To start an ebook selling website for free, creators can leverage platforms that offer free storefronts and payment processing, or utilize WordPress plugins for self-hosted sites. These tools typically operate on a transaction fee model, allowing users to launch without upfront costs.

Editor pick Free plan available with a 5% transaction fee per sale (plus PayPal/Stripe fees).

Payhip

An all-in-one platform for selling digital products like ebooks, offering a free customizable storefront, instant delivery, and payment processing.

Ideal for Direct-to-consumer ebook sales with a branded online store, ideal for authors and creators seeking full control over their sales process.

Other great options

Gumroad

Free to use, charges a 10% transaction fee per sale (plus PayPal/Stripe fees). #2

A user-friendly platform for creators to sell digital products, including ebooks, directly to their audience with built-in marketing features.

Easy Digital Downloads (for WordPress)

Free core plugin available; paid extensions for advanced features. #3

A dedicated WordPress plugin for selling digital products like ebooks, offering a full shopping cart, payment flexibility, and discount codes.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Free to publish; royalties up to 70% (Amazon takes a cut). #4

Amazon's self-publishing platform providing access to a massive global audience for ebooks, with free publishing and marketing tools.

Lulu

Free to create and publish ebooks; Lulu takes a percentage of sales when distributed through their network. #5

A platform for creating and self-publishing ebooks (EPUB or PDF) for free, with options to sell through their bookstore and major retailers.

Use-cases

Different free tools cater to specific needs, from direct sales to broad distribution or integration with existing websites.

For Solo Creators

These creators prioritize ease of use, quick setup, and direct control over their sales and customer relationships.

Payhip

Offers a complete storefront and direct sales with minimal fees.

Gumroad

Simple product creation and sales pages for quick monetization.

Canva

For designing professional ebook covers and interior layouts without design expertise.

For Authors Seeking Broad Distribution

These authors benefit from platforms with large existing audiences and extensive distribution networks, even if it means less direct control over the 'website' aspect.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Access to millions of Kindle readers.

Smashwords / Draft2Digital

Aggregators for distribution to multiple major retailers (Apple Books, B&N, Kobo).

Lulu

Distributes to Amazon, Apple, Google, and its own bookstore.

For WordPress Users

These users prefer to leverage their current website infrastructure and maintain maximum control over their content, branding, and customer experience.

Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)

Specialized for digital product sales on WordPress.

Ebook Store (WordPress Plugin)

Simple plugin for selling and delivering ebooks securely.

WPForms

Can create simple forms for ebook purchases and delivery.

Trends & interest

rising

The interest in selling ebooks online continues to rise, driven by the growth of self-publishing and the demand for digital content. Platforms offering direct-to-consumer sales and simplified creation tools are gaining significant traction. AI tools for content creation are also emerging as a notable trend.

New or notable tools

Jasper (AI)

An AI writing partner that helps with brainstorming, writing, and marketing ebooks, offering a free trial.

Guided tool recipes

Here are some workflow ideas to effectively use free tools for selling your ebooks:

1

Create and Sell Your First Ebook with Payhip

Write your ebook, design a cover, upload to Payhip, set a price, and start selling from your free online store.

6 steps 2 tools
  1. Write and format your ebook content (e.g., as a PDF).
  2. Use Canva to design an eye-catching ebook cover.
  3. Sign up for a free Payhip account and set up your store profile.
  4. Upload your ebook file and cover image to Payhip, set the price, and add a description.
  5. Connect your PayPal or Stripe account to receive payments.
  6. Share your Payhip store link on social media or your website to drive sales.
2

Distribute Your Ebook Widely with Aggregators

Publish your ebook once and distribute it to multiple major online retailers globally.

4 steps 2 tools
  1. Finalize your ebook manuscript and ensure it's formatted correctly (e.g., EPUB or PDF).
  2. Upload your ebook to Draft2Digital for distribution to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and others.
  3. Separately, upload your ebook to Amazon KDP to reach the vast Kindle audience.
  4. Monitor sales and royalties across different platforms.
3

Build an Ebook Store on Your WordPress Site

Integrate ebook selling functionality directly into your existing WordPress website for full control.

4 steps 2 tools
  1. Install and activate the Easy Digital Downloads plugin on your WordPress site.
  2. Configure payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal within EDD settings.
  3. Add your ebook as a 'Download' product, including title, description, price, and file.
  4. Create a dedicated page or use shortcodes to display your ebook store on your website.
4

Generate Leads with a Free Ebook

Offer a free ebook as a lead magnet to grow your email list, then market paid products to subscribers.

5 steps 3 tools
  1. Create a valuable, short ebook as a lead magnet using Canva for design.
  2. Upload the free ebook to Payhip or Gumroad and set the price to $0 (or 'pay what you want' with $0 option).
  3. Create a landing page or use the platform's product page to offer the free ebook in exchange for an email address.
  4. Integrate with a free email marketing service to automatically send the ebook and build your subscriber list.
  5. Nurture your email list with valuable content and promote your paid ebooks or other products.

Editor's notes

A

While many platforms offer 'free' plans, most will take a transaction fee on sales, which can impact your profit margins.

B

Building your own website with WordPress and a plugin like EDD offers maximum control but requires some technical setup and hosting costs.

C

Marketplace platforms like Amazon KDP provide a huge audience but you have less control over pricing and customer data.

D

Consider using free ebook creation tools like Canva or Adobe Express to make your ebook visually appealing, as presentation significantly impacts sales.

FAQ

Can I sell ebooks without a website?

Yes, platforms like Payhip and Gumroad provide you with a hosted storefront or product page, eliminating the need for your own website.

How do free ebook selling platforms make money?

Most free platforms charge a transaction fee or a percentage of each sale you make, in addition to any payment processing fees.

What file formats are best for selling ebooks?

PDF is widely used for maintaining design and layout, while EPUB and MOBI (for Kindle) are common for e-readers.

Do I need an ISBN for my ebook?

While not always strictly required for self-publishing on platforms like Amazon KDP (which assigns an ASIN), some platforms or broader distribution might benefit from a free ISBN provided by services like Bookrix or Lulu.

How can I protect my ebook from piracy?

Some platforms offer features like PDF stamping (watermarking with buyer info) or DRM protection.

Can I offer my ebook for free to build an audience?

Yes, many platforms allow you to set your ebook price to zero, which is an effective strategy for lead generation and building an email list.

What are royalties when selling ebooks?

Royalties are the percentage of the sale price you receive after the platform takes its cut and any other fees.