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The Complete Guide to Interactive eBook Creation Software
Digital publishing continues to be in trend for quite a long time now. Authors and publishers are always searching for new ways to win the heart of their targets and that’s what made interactive eBooks popular. With interactive eBooks, authors can hook readers and make their reading experience more immersive and engaging.
However, interactive eBook creation isn’t simple. There are many software programs available for that purpose, which come with a wide range of features and capabilities. Therefore, to ensure that you have the right information for the development of interactive e-books, we’ve created this article.
Top 10 eBook creation software that you should consider buying
Adobe InDesign
It is one of the best software available for interactive eBook creation, desktop publishing, and typesetting. Apart from creating eBooks, the tool can be also used for creating magazines, brochures, flyers, posters, newspapers, and even books.
Features:
- PDF accessibility enhancements
- Endnote support
- Paragraph borders, font search, and filters
- Text management in Creative Cloud Libraries
- HTML export capability
- Alternative text access
- Top page items
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ePUBee Maker
It is a powerful Word add-in tool that can help you to publish e-books in different formats like PDF, Mobi, and ePUB. You’ll also find all the features you need for developing the most professional interactive e-books.
Features:
- Safe and completely free of cost
- Addition of Table of Contents
- Easy to use add-ins
- Quick and efficient enhanced eBook conversions
- Ability to set covers, edit metadata, etc.
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Calibre
This multi-platform free eBook creator consists of all the needed features to develop personal e-books. The various file formats it supports can be easily converted into output documents. With its help, you can also create customizable covers for your e-books.
Features:
- Multiple file format support
- Editing of printed or downloaded e-books
- Built-in cover creator
- Addition of content table, word search, replacement option, etc.
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Kotobee
This beginner-friendly tool can help you create interactive e-books effortlessly from PDF or Word documents. You can also distribute them either individually or collectively with the help of an internal library app.
Features:
- Exporting interactive eBooks to desktops, mobiles, or the web
- Connect eBooks to cloud
- Integration with external systems
- Control user access
- Availability of interactive e-reading tools via standalone or embedded reader
- Addition of interactive images, videos, widgets, etc.
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Flip PDF
This is an entire suite containing powerful eBook publishing tools. It can help authors and designers to develop cross-platform e-books. The tool is easy to use and can create digital books within minutes and also publish them.
Features:
- Responsive page-flipping eBook creation
- Importing PDF for e-books
- Addition of interactive features
- Publishing of digital books across different channels
- Accessibility of e-books from different devices
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Pressbooks
It is an easy-to-use tool for creating eBooks. You only need to import your manuscript and paste the chapters into the eBook creation software. Image, video, and audio files can be added, if required. However, for using this tool, you need to sign up first.
Features:
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Daily backups
- Professionally-designed e-book files
- Unlimited editing, updating, and exporting of eBooks
- Multiple eBook format support
- Complete control over the content
- Affordable access
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Sigil Ebook
This eBook creator comes with a lot of features that can help you to develop interactive eBooks even if you don’t have any prior knowledge or skills. It may not help on a professional level but can definitely help for beginner-level e-book creation.
Features:
- Beginner-friendly
- Spell check dictionary
- Preference setting to add words with numbers
- Quick launch icons for plugins
- Metadata editor placeholder text
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FlipHTML5
This is another flip book maker that lets you develop interactive eBooks. Apart from eBook maker, it also acts as an HTML5 digital publishing platform and can help with embedding your e-book’s content with images, hyperlinks, animation, multimedia, etc.
Features:
- Customization of e-books’ looks and functionality
- Addition of multimedia elements such as images, music, videos, shapes, slideshows, etc.
- Easy PDF to digital Flipbook conversion
- Mobile-friendly and cross-platform compatible
- Easy publishing of HTML5-based page flip publications
- Digital book publishing in slide & flip mode
- Importing of hyperlinks in flipbook
- Multiple eBook creation templates
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iBooks Author
You can use this tool for free on Mac App Store. This software lets you develop e-books for iPhone, iPad, or Mac devices. It allows eBook authors to add a variety of features such as 3D objects, images, mathematical expressions, audios, etc ., to make the digital books interesting.
Features:
- Ease of use
- Lots of design options
- One-click publishing
- Drag and drop templates
- HD videos, images, and live links addition
- Widget options such as photo galleries, songs, sound bytes, etc.
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Kitaboo
This interactive eBook creator is a cloud-based digital publishing platform. Here, you can create and publish e-books that are DRM protected. The Kitaboo authoring platform lets you create eBooks from scratch and add interactive features to make the digital books more engaging for readers.
Features:
- Good interface
- Secured offline access and distribution
- Multimedia and interactive features embedding
- Digital publishing on multi-devices and platforms
- Easy integration of existing systems
- Annotation tools
- Text search and highlight
- Book download capability
Since you’re aware of the top 10 list of the best interactive eBook publishing software, you may now be thinking about how to choose the right one for your project. Well, we’re also going to help you with that. Keep reading! You’ll find your answers in the next section.
Factors to consider while selecting interactive eBook creation software
Here are some factors that you need to consider before investing in a particular eBook creation and publishing software:
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Simple interface
The interface of the interactive eBook creation software that you choose should be easy to use and comprehend. Don’t try to choose something that seems complex or you may have to end up contacting the tech support team frequently. Look for software that offers simple buttons, icons, drag and drop options, etc.
As an author or publisher, you should be less worried about coding because that’s why we have eBook creation tools. Being familiar with XML and HTML can help. However, it should only be a choice.
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Multi-device compatibility
Make sure that the software you choose is compatible with different devices, operating systems, and browsers. If your target audience uses the internet, compatibility is something you shouldn’t compromise with.
It is impossible to control the type of device your target audience chooses to engage with. That’s why it is best to choose a program that lets you create and publish e-books on all types of devices, be it mobile devices, desktops, tablets, etc.
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Security of eBook content
Security is one of the major concerns for e-books since you’re publishing them online. To make sure that the content of your e-book stays protected from theft, piracy, or leaks, you must choose an eBook publishing tool that has DRM protection.
The digital rights management (DRM) feature is an encryption technology that can keep your e-books safe and secured from cyber threats. Besides, it will also ensure that the e-book is only accessed by authorized users and distributed to the right target audience.
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Cost of the software
Cost is another factor you need to consider for choosing the software. Try to find a platform that has a good balance of the needed features and the cost you can afford. You can first start by selecting 4-5 software and then performing a feature comparison and cost analysis.
In case you are new, try going first for the free version. If you like it, then go for a yearly subscription instead of a lifetime membership. So, in case you want to switch to another program someday, you can do it without any problem.
Besides, you may also find software that charges as per the features they offer. So, you can test the features on your eBooks, see how well they perform, and then change your pricing plans based on it.
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User analytics accessibility
In e-book publishing, the key performance indicators are content analysis and the reader’s response. With these, you can determine whether your content is performing well and reaching the target audience or not. Aside from that, you can also use analytics to improve conversion and sales.
That’s why it is crucial to look for interactive eBook creation software that has a built-in analytics feature. Below are other parameters you must consider:
- Identifies traffic sources
- Provides real-time user engagement
- Highlights the e-book’s best performing components
- Offers statistics such as impression, unique visitors, frequency, etc.
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Multiple file format support
There are a lot of eBook file formats to choose from. Since choosing all won’t be feasible, you need to choose certain formats while developing your content. Here are some of the popular eBook file formats you can consider.
parameters you must consider:
- ePUB (Electronic publication)
- MOBI (Mobipocket eBook file)
- PDF (Portable Document Format)
- AZW
- TXT
Make sure that you choose the formats carefully as it can have an impact. For example, if you’re going to add interactive graphic elements to your content, ePUB will be the right format to choose. In case you’re choosing AZW format, you need to make sure that your content is compatible with Kindle.
You should also consider the type of device you’re while choosing the formats. For example, PDF and ePUB formats are best for PC, Android, Mac,iPhone, and iPad readers. As for Kindle devices, you can use AZW, AZW3, MOBI, PDF, KF8, and KFX formats.
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Support for eStore
eStore support is another thing you need to look for in eBook publishing software. It is especially important if you’re a publisher or author. It can help you develop a brand eStore or eReader application for your target audience. Furthermore, it can bring you higher royalties.
In case you don’t have experience creating an eStore, then you can choose third-party platforms to publish your e-books. These platforms can get your digital books on international markets even on a relatively low percentage of loyalty. You may also get to avail discounts and offers. Additionally, you may generate revenue by promoting your e-books on digital publishing platforms.
Bonus Article - Top 5 eBook Publishing Trends for 2024
Conclusion
With this, we conclude our comprehensive guide to interactive eBook creation software. We have shared precise details for each software, compiling data from experts. Hope this will give a headstart to anyone wishing to develop stunning, dynamic eBooks by themselves.
All the software mentioned above are considered as some of the best interactive eBook creation tools by professional eBook developers. So, get started with developing an engaging eBook brimming with interactivities and dynamic functionalities, and enjoy more viewership of your content.
Alternatively, you may reach out to professional eBook conversion service providers who offer high-end interactive eBook conversion services. These expert agencies have experienced digital book specialists who guarantee highly optimized and tailored outcomes. Avail yourself of such competent eBook conversion services at an affordable cost and super-fast delivery.
