Why isn't social media enough?
Because it's rented ground: the algorithm decides who sees you, the format levels everything, and the rules change without asking. Your website is your domain and your decisions. Networks serve as rivers to your house, not as the house.
What if I know nothing about technology?
You don't need to. These sites are built to run on their own: no panels, no plugins, nothing to renew. Publishing a new work is a small commission to the studio, not a task of yours.
What does it do for my presence in search and AI?
It turns your trajectory into a readable entity: person, works, awards, and press with sources, plus disambiguation if you share a name with someone. When they ask about you, the source will be you.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the size of the work. As a studio reference: a complete custom site usually runs between $1,000 and $5,000, and a small piece costs considerably less. Total price in writing before starting, and the code and domain in your name.