Unique Platforms for Freelance Writers
Think about setting up your professional online presence like building your own little workshop or home gym. You could just use the generic community center equipment, and that works for some.
But when you're serious about your craft, you want your own space, set up exactly how you need it, right? That’s what using a custom domain for your website does.
It tells people you're serious, you're established, and you own your brand.
I know many writers default to the big names like WordPress or Squarespace, and those are fine. But in my experience, sometimes looking beyond the obvious choices can uncover tools that really fit your specific needs as a writer, especially if you want to easily run a blog, maybe a newsletter, or even show off some technical writing chops.
You need flexibility and control, and thankfully, there are options out there that give you this, and they're not all that expensive, and with that all-important custom domain name.
Platforms Built Around Your Content
If your main game is writing – blogging, maybe building an email list, perhaps even offering paid content – there are platforms designed specifically for that. Forget trying to make a generic builder work; these are built with writers in mind.
- Ghost: I've seen this one evolve. It started as a simpler alternative to WordPress but now? It's a full package. You get your website, a system to manage your content (CMS), newsletter tools built-in, options for paid subscriptions, and importantly, total control over your look with your custom domain.
- Hashnode: If you write about tech stuff or coding, you should definitely check this out. It’s completely free, which is amazing, and it’s designed for developers and technical writers to share their work and build a portfolio. Custom domain support is standard.
- Micro.blog: This one’s interesting for shorter posts and connecting with other platforms, kind of like your own personal social media hub, but on your domain.
- Bearblog.dev: Simple, fast, and respects privacy. If you just want a clean blog without fuss, plus your own domain, it’s worth a look. (take a guess as to which one I chose XD)
- Mataroa.blog: Another one for the minimalists. Straightforward blogging, lets you export your stuff, and uses custom domains.
- omg.lol: This is more like a collection of cool web tools, and one of them is a blog feature that works with custom domains.
- blogstatic: Focuses on blogging and newsletters, giving you themes and page options along with custom domain support.
For Those Comfortable Getting a Bit More Technical
Now, if you don't mind tinkering under the hood a little (or are willing to learn), there are some powerful options. I’m not a hardcore coder myself, but I appreciate tools that give you raw control.
- Jekyll: Think of this as a way to build websites using simple text files. It's great for blogs because it’s built for that structure. No complex databases to worry about.
- GitHub Pages: This is where Jekyll often "lives." GitHub, a site mostly known for coding projects, lets you host websites built with tools like Jekyll for free. And yes, you can hook up your own custom domain name. For someone willing to learn a bit, this combo is incredibly cost-effective and gives you a super-fast website. I respect this approach because you really own the whole setup.
Simpler Builders for Focused Needs
Maybe you don't need a full-blown blog or complex site. Perhaps a sharp, single-page portfolio or a landing page is all you require right now. There are tools for that too, which still let you use your custom domain.
- Carrd: I've seen some really slick one-page sites built with Carrd. It’s designed to be fast and easy for creating simple, professional-looking pages. The free version is limited, but their paid plan (which is very reasonably priced, in my opinion) lets you use your own custom domain. Great for a focused online business card or portfolio.
- Softr: This one's a bit different. It lets you build a website visually using data from spreadsheets, like Airtable or Google Sheets. Imagine creating a portfolio where each project is just a row in a sheet. Their free plan allows connecting a custom domain (you still have to buy the domain itself, of course). It’s a cool "no-code" way to build something more data-driven if that fits your style.
Quick Recap: Your Options
| Platform | Main Thing It Does | Custom Domain? |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost | Content, blog, newsletter, memberships | Yes |
| Hashnode | Blogging (especially tech), portfolio | Yes (Free) |
| Micro.blog | Blogging, microblogging | Yes |
| Bearblog.dev | Privacy-focused blogging | Yes |
| Mataroa.blog | Minimalist blogging | Yes |
| omg.lol | Weblog tool | Yes |
| blogstatic | Blogging, newsletters | Yes |
| Jekyll | Site generator (often blogs) | Yes (via hosting) |
| GitHub Pages | Free static site hosting | Yes (Free) |
| Carrd | Simple one-page sites | Yes (Paid plan) |
| Softr | Sites from spreadsheet data | Yes (Free plan avail) |
Choosing Your Own Path
Look, finding the right platform is a bit like finding the right pair of running shoes. What works perfectly for one person might feel clunky for another. The point is, you have options beyond the big, heavily advertised ones.
You can have a professional online presence with your own domain name without necessarily defaulting to the most common choices.
Whether you need something robust like Ghost, a free technical platform like Hashnode, a DIY approach with Jekyll/GitHub Pages, or something simple like Bear blog, there’s likely a tool that fits how you work and what you need. Don't be afraid to explore these alternatives.
Taking the time to find the right fit is worth it for building your online home base.