An ebook, digital book, or electronic book, is a work of the mind with a design that’s meant to be read from a screen, accessible through an electronic device (computer, tablet, smartphone, e-reader, etc.) and created in an electronic form (unlike a printed book, which is a material medium using sheets of paper).
This medium is increasingly popular by authors and readers alike: many downloadable formats exist, free or paid. The electronic books you write will allow you to share your knowledge and resources to help reinforce your company's marketing strategy or simply to share your art with as many people as possible.
Today, we’ll focus on the different definitions and characteristics of ebooks, along with tips on how to create and sell your own ebooks online!
Ebook: Definition, benefits, and FAQ
What is an ebook and how do you use it?
An ebook refers to a book, an educational manual, or any other written material whose publication and distribution is done electronically. The ebook is a digital book: it contains all the characteristics of the traditional printed book, including text and images, with the only difference being that this content is digital.
One of the top benefits of ebooks is their ease of use. Their format makes it possible for people to read them on connected media with a screen, such as on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. In addition, there are handheld devices dedicated to ebooks called e-readers.
Ebooks allow people to carry entire libraries in their pockets, giving users an easier way to read on the go. With a digital reader or a simple app on your smartphone or tablet, you can access thousands of books revolving around all kinds of topics, without the physical burden. This makes ebooks ideal for traveling, commuting, or simply for those who like to have a variety of reading options readily available at all times.
Another one of the major advantages of ebooks is that users are free to change the font size and style according to their preferences. This feature is particularly beneficial for readers with visual impairments or those who find smaller print challenging to read, particularly when reading from a device with a screen. Adjustability enhances readability and comfort, making reading accessible to a wider audience.
What's more, ebooks are a more environmentally sustainable option compared to traditional paper books. They eliminate the need for paper, printing, and physical transportation, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with their production and distribution. For environmentally conscious readers, ebooks are an excellent choice to reduce their ecological impact.
What are the benefits of creating an ebook?
Ebooks continue to be popular with consumers all around the world. According to Statista research, the global ebooks market generated approximately $14.2 billion in 2023, and this figure is expected to grow to about $15.7 billion by 2029. Comparing ebook sales across countries, the United States takes the lead as of March 2024, bringing in $5.3 million in revenue, followed by Japan, China, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
When you create an ebook, you’ll find that it'll help you to achieve different objectives. First of all, the ebook is a digital file, so it doesn’t take up any space. With this design, it can be consulted anywhere and anytime.
The ebook is also a format that offers attractive prices when it’s paid.
In addition, it’s a very effective marketing lever to achieve one’s acquisition objectives in the context of a free professional ebook. The interested internet user leaves their contact information in exchange for the content you create, which allows you to expand your customer database.
Creating an ebook is also a way for the author to share exclusive content on the platforms dedicated to the download of digital books to be able to make themselves known and give visibility to their activity. Writing about a specific topic involving your area of expertise can help to boost your brand authority in the eyes of current and potential customers alike.
In some cases, the design of the ebook can make it possible for you to offer evolving writings: particularly in the professional or academic context, an ebook will be able to be enriched over time to always provide the best content to readers—essential for optimizing your content marketing efforts!
What is the price of an ebook?
An ebook's price is going to vary according to its format. It can be free, which is a marketing strategy often employed by companies in the B2B environment, using an opt-in lever that makes it possible to provide the book in exchange for the capture of readers’ email addresses.
For books such as novels, cookbooks, how-to guides, etc., the price can vary depending on the author’s demand and the market.
Obviously, the price of an ebook will always be lower than a paper version: the costs concerning printing, paper, or physical distribution don’t need to be added to the selling price.
The price of an ebook usually doesn’t exceed $10. To know the potential price of a digital book, the quickest solution is to consult platforms such as Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble, and take a look at the price of ebooks sold in each category.
However, the price of an ebook can be influenced by the type of content, the size of the book but also the notoriety of the author (celebrity, influencer, etc.), which will then allow you to modify the price upwards for exclusive digital books.
Where can you purchase ebooks?
Ebooks can be purchased from a variety of sources, each offering a range of titles across genres.
For example, the Kindle Store is a prominent choice, directly accessible through Amazon's devices and apps, specializing in both mainstream and independent titles. Barnes & Noble offers ebooks through its Nook platform, which includes a wide selection of books similar to its physical stores. Kobo, too, provides a vast library accessible on its e-readers and through its website, appealing to a global audience.
In addition, many independent authors and smaller publishers sell ebooks directly from their websites, offering libraries featuring anything from niche topics to bestsellers.
Is it possible to print an ebook?
As an ebook is presented in the same way as a book in paper format, it’s quite possible to print it: it’ll thus become a traditional printed book.
You’ll find that platforms offer books in both formats, digital and paper. If you want to create an ebook that can be read in both formats, just be sure to check that the design and formatting of the printed version is equal in quality to that of its digital counterpart. To print your digital book in the best way, computer tools will allow you to adapt the PDF format to a traditional printing layout: this is the case with the Calibre software.
What are the disadvantages of ebooks?
Ebooks offer many conveniences, but they do come with some disadvantages. Here are a few of the most commonly cited ones:
- Eye strain: Reading an electronic book from screens for prolonged periods can cause eye strain and discomfort, particularly on devices that aren't designed specifically for reading, like smartphones or tablets with bright LCD displays.
- Battery dependence: Unlike physical books, ebooks require electronic devices that need to be charged. Running out of battery can interrupt your reading experience, especially if you're in a place where you can't recharge.
- Tactile experience: Some readers prefer the tactile experience of physical books—the feel of the pages, the act of turning them, and the smell of a new or old book. Ebooks cannot replicate this sensory experience for the reader.
- Ownership and access: When you buy an ebook, you're often buying a license to read the book, rather than owning it outright. This can lead to issues if the ebook platform changes its terms, loses the rights to distribute the book, or shuts down. Furthermore, ebooks can have DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions that limit copying, printing, or sharing.
- Resale and sharing: Unlike with physical books, you're generally not free to resell or donate ebooks. Sharing is also restricted by DRM, which can prevent you from lending a book to a friend.
- Overdependence on technology: Ebooks require digital devices and, often, an internet connection for downloading. This can be a limitation if the reader is located in an area without reliable electricity or internet access.
- Limited formatting and interactivity: Some ebooks may not properly support images, tables, or interactive elements, which can be particularly problematic for textbooks or professional manuals that rely heavily on such content.
- Compatibility issues: Different e-readers and apps support different ebook formats, which can lead to compatibility issues. For instance, an ebook purchased on one platform might not be readable on another device without specific software or conversion.
These factors can influence a person's decision to choose physical books over ebooks, despite the convenience and portability that ebooks provide. It's therefore essential to ensure that you have a good understanding of your target audience and optimize the design of your electronic book to provide a great reader experience for successful sales of your digital product.
History of ebooks
For some people, the history of ebooks can be traced back to 1930, when author Bob Brown wrote a manifesto titled The Readies, in which he proposed a new medium for reading. In this book, he described the concept of a simple reading machine that could be carried and moved and that would attach to an electric light plug, allowing the user to read lengthy works in a short amount of time.
Brown's idea was primarily aimed at reforming orthography and vocabulary, rather than the medium, though. Subsequent e-readers did not adopt a model similar to Brown's. Nevertheless, he accurately foresaw e-readers' miniaturization and portability.
The concept of the ebook can also date back to the late 1940s, when Angela Ruiz Robles, a Spanish teacher, sought to lighten the load of her students' school bags by devising a mechanical device that held text on spools.
However, the modern ebook's journey began in earnest with Michael S. Hart, who launched Project Gutenberg in 1971 and digitized the Declaration of Independence, creating the first ebook. This initiative aimed to make literature widely accessible electronically.
The technology for ebooks evolved rapidly in the 1990s with the advent of the internet and portable reading devices. Sony released one of the first dedicated e-readers in 2004, but it was Amazon's Kindle, launched in 2007, that truly revolutionized the market. The Kindle offered wireless access to a vast digital library, significantly boosting ebook popularity.
Since then, ebooks have become a major component of the publishing industry, offering portability, accessibility, and an ever-growing library due to ongoing advancements in digital technology.
What do you need to read an ebook? Necessary features
How does an ebook reader work?
An ebook reader (or e-reader) is like a digital library. It displays books, ensures their reading, zooming, and adapting the text format to the reader, allowing for a comfortable and easy consultation through customizable settings.
In most ebook readers, it’s possible to search for new digital books directly via the search engine linked to the service.
Ebook readers often allow people to download excerpts of the books before they buy them.
Electronic readers linked to services such as Amazon, for example, can also be used to read content downloaded outside their platform, provided that the file is in a format compatible with the application.
How do you read a book on a computer (Mac or PC)?
Reading a book on a computer is very easy. Once the file is downloaded, the computer allows a preview by clicking on the chosen book. Most of the time, ebooks on computers will be downloaded in PDF format.
Nevertheless, ebook formats like EPUB will be viewable on computers through specific applications.
How do you read a book on a tablet?
Reading a book on a tablet requires more or less the same process as on a computer, except that ebook formats are much more adapted to the tablet.
In PDF format, the file will open in a preview created by the tablet; for ebooks downloaded via special applications, most of these programs adapt the reading to the tablet for an optimal experience. In some cases, the tablet can replace the primary reading tool, which is the e-reader.
What are some popular ebook devices?
The Kindle, NOOK, and Kobo e-readers are electronic devices dedicated to the reading of ebooks, offered by the brands that market this type of digital content.
The Kindle e-reader is marketed by Amazon, the NOOK e-reader by Barnes & Noble, and the Kobo e-reader by Rakuten.
These kinds of tablets are set up to be able to buy, download, and read all kinds of ebooks whose formats are adapted to the tools.
Some of these devices offer special configurations to enjoy an ideal reading: adapted lighting, waterproof device, etc. With these tools, all the constraints of the paper book are erased with the help of technology.
Making an ebook: Format and design
Many design formats exist when it comes to the ebook. The basic digital writing format is linked to Word software with a .doc or .docx extension.
This format isn’t readable by all media, so the recommendation is to download your ebook in PDF format, which is much more universal and ensures that the book’s text and formatting appear as they’re supposed to.
However, special formats exist.
Let's take a closer look at some examples of the leading ebook formats widely used today.
EPUB (Electronic Publication)
This is the most widely supported and flexible format, used by most electronic readers except the Amazon Kindle. EPUB files reflow their text to fit the screen size, which makes them ideal for various devices. They also support fixed-layout content and are commonly used by publishing companies and libraries.
MOBI
Initially developed by French software company Mobipocket for the Mobipocket Reader, this format is now predominantly associated with older Amazon Kindle devices. Newer Kindle devices use the AZW and AZW3 formats, which are based on MOBI but developed by Amazon to include better options concerning compression and DRM.
AZW/AZW3
These are Amazon's proprietary formats used on Kindle devices and apps. They are based on MOBI but offer additional features like enhanced typesetting and support for more complex formatting.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Developed by Adobe, PDFs are widely used for documents that require fixed layouts. While not originally designed for e-books, many devices and apps can effectively display PDF files for reading.
FB2 (FictionBook 2.0)
Popular in countries where EPUB is not as prevalent, FB2 is an XML-based ebook format that is simple and specifically designed for fictional literature.
iBooks
This is Apple's ebook format used in its iBooks app on iOS devices. It supports EPUB features and adds some unique Apple-specific enhancements like multimedia integration.
These formats cater to various aspects of digital publishing, from straightforward text formatting to complex interactive multimedia integration. Each has its pros and cons depending on the device used, the type of content, and user preferences.
Although different formats are available, never lose sight of the fact that the ebook is simply a digital book: it doesn’t matter in which format it’s offered, only that it’s readable by connected tools!
How do you create an ebook to sell online?
Feeling inspired to write your very own ebook? Now's a great time to get started!
Keep reading to discover how to ensure that you're starting off on the right foot.
Writing an ebook: Basic tips
Writing an ebook can be a rewarding venture if you approach it with a strategic plan. Here are some helpful tips for creating a successful ebook:
- Define your audience and purpose: Before you begin writing, identify who your target audience is and what you aim to achieve with your ebook. Just like with any other aspect of your marketing or sales strategy, understanding your audience’s interests and needs will help you prioritize the right topics and craft book content that resonates and provides value.
- Organize your content: Structure your ebook logically. For this step, you'll want to start with an outline that includes a table of contents. Break the content into chapters or sections that progressively build on each other, making the information easy for the reader to digest and follow.
- Engage with a compelling style: Write your copy in a clear, conversational tone that engages your readers. Use real-life examples, share anecdotes, or include case studies to illustrate your points and make the content more relatable and engaging, regardless of the book's topic.
- Remember that design matters: Pay attention to the layout and design of your ebook, keeping in mind that your work will be read on smaller screens. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and images to break up text and add visual interest. A well-designed cover can also make a strong first impression and attract more readers.
- Edit and proofread: Never underestimate the importance of editing and proofreading. Typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies can undermine your credibility. During this step, consider using professional editing services or at least get feedback from peers to polish your ebook thoroughly.
Following these tips can help you create a professional and engaging ebook that appeals to your intended audience.
Best platform to sell the ebooks you write
Two solutions are available to you in the sale of ebooks you create: go through traditional publishing and host your ebook with publishers of digital books and/or sell your ebook by your own means on your own ecommerce site.
When you go through an ebook publisher, either in publishing or self-publishing, you’ll find that each service and platform used will get a percentage of your sales and, sometimes, money from your royalties.
As far as selling your electronic book on your own online sales platform is concerned, the only commission you’ll be asked to pay is linked to your sales site.
With the WiziShop solution, you can sell all kinds of digital products, including books, on a site dedicated to online sales and optimized to offer the best customer experience. All formats are possible in the sale of your ebook with WiziShop: the key is to offer people a downloadable file!
When you avail of WiziShop's software, you can go the self-publishing route and begin selling your ebook in just a few minutes; benefit from more than 400 ecommerce features; get personalized check-ins thanks to our team of business coaches, who are there to help you every step of the way in the selling of your electronic books; use our powerful artificial intelligence to write text content for your website in mere seconds and boost the efficiency of your marketing efforts; learn from free training modules; and quickly rank in the top results of search engines—all this starting from $40 per month.
WiziShop is the best solution on the market to offer your ebook and help start your adventure in writing, self-publishing, and selling your book (or entire library of books) on the web. In addition, you get to enjoy a 7-day free trial and then your first month for only $1: don’t wait any longer and start selling your ebook on your ecommerce site today!
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