8 Best eBook Hosting Platforms for Digital Publishing (2024)
Book publishing is a nerve-wracking endeavor for every writer – both budding and established. While few have the marketing savvy required for self-publishing, choosing the right eBook hosting platform can significantly expedite the process.
Going the traditional route has its own benefits since every author wants to get their book published in print; into something that is tangible. However, one cannot underestimate the reach of digital platforms in today’s times.
Why Do you Need An eBook Hosting Platform?
Many bestselling authors today have their body of work as eBooks as well as in print. This includes their earliest titles as well as recent ones. They establish a substantial following over these hosting platforms, which in turn garners the attention of big players in the publishing industry.
The likes of Sylvia Day and Sherrilyn Kenyon have authored several eBooks and made a name for themselves. Today, eBooks account for 40-50% of units sold worldwide. That’s barely surprising considering the faster turnaround, higher royalty percentage, more control, and less environmental wastage.
8 Best eBook Hosting Platforms For Digital Publishing -
1. KITABOO
It is one of the best eBook hosting platforms out there. KITABOO is a cloud-based platform that helps you create, publish and distribute mobile-friendly and multimedia-rich eBooks. You can leverage its advanced user analytics to evaluate the performance of your eBook after its publication. Besides, this white-labeled app is available for Windows, Android, and iOS operating systems.
The digitally enriched content can also be rendered via Augmented Reality (AR) on KITABOO. With KITABOO, you can easily convert your eBook into ePub format. The platform ensures content security with DRM protection and encryptions. Besides, if you are a publisher, you can also create your own branded web store using KITABOO. Users can not only download the eBooks but also read them offline!
2. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon KDP has gained a vast audience and hosts a massive library of eBooks. If you want to tap a wider pool of readers, this may be the ideal platform for you. You get a free ASIN number for your book (similar to ISBN), advertising tools, and higher royalties. However, your eBook will then be exclusive to Amazon.
That means you cannot sell it anywhere else. The royalty can vary anywhere between 35% to 70% depending upon the price of the book.
Apart from that, you can utilize Kindle Comic Creator and Kindle Kids’ Book Creator for graphic novels and picture books, respectively.
3. Apple iBooks Store
It is a free self-publishing platform for your eBooks in iBook format. Apple iBooks store may not have a massive audience like Amazon KDP, but it’s fairly large compared to others on the list.
You do have the alternative to sell your eBook on other platforms, unlike Amazon KDP. However, you will have to convert it into a different format such as text file, PDF or ePUB.
Besides, to get your book hosted on the Apple iBooks store, you require a Mac system. Another option is to choose an aggregator like Smashwords which can get your book on the iBooks store.
The best part is that you get an incredible 70% royalty with this platform!
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4. Smashwords
Smashwords has earned a good reputation amongst various eBook aggregator websites over the years.
Not only does it offer a free ISBN, but also gets your book on some of the biggest stores, including Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and Apple Books.
If you choose to publish it on the Smashwords store, however, you can get 80% royalty on every sale.
On the other hand, if you choose a retailer, you will earn 60% of royalties from sales. By using Smashwords, you can observe daily sales data acquired from the retailers.
5. Barnes & Noble Press
They were formerly known as Nook Press. Barnes & Noble has a big audience both in the US and the UK. For eBooks priced at or above $2.99, authors can earn 65% royalty on sales.
B&N boasts of millions of customers, and for this reason, you can benefit from a hefty royalty as well as the extra promotion. Apart from that, you can keep an eye on sales through their easy-to-navigate dashboard.
6. Kobo Writing Life
Kobo may not be as huge as Apple or Amazon, but it hosts eBooks in 190 countries. You can publish your eBook anywhere you want as this eBook hosting platform does not restrict exclusivity.
For eBooks priced below £1.99, you earn 45% royalty. For anything above that price, the authors earn an impressive 70% royalty.
Using Kobo Writing Life is as simple as creating an account, uploading your eBook, and converting it into the ePUB format for free.
7. Draft2Digital
This new aggregator site comes with a sleek design and has a modern feel to it. The distribution network of Draft2Digital may not be as vast as Smashwords, but it covers all the major ones such as Kobo, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Amazon KDP. Besides, you earn a handsome 60% royalties on sales.
Its automated formatting services are the talk of the town that convert any text file into a professional, smart eBook.
Also read: 10 Best ePUB Readers for Android, Mac and Windows Devices
8. Lulu
Just like other eBook hosting platforms, Lulu allows you to convert your word document into ePUB format for free. If you select Lulu books for publishing, you earn 75% royalties.
If you choose to go another route and select other retailers, you get anywhere between 40-50% royalties. It wouldn’t, however, offer automated formatting services like Draft2Digital.
Moreover, your eBook must pass the quality assurance test before it is approved for publishing. With an added cost, you can also leverage their marketing services, including publicity and website setup.
Conclusion
eBook hosting platforms have greatly democratized publishing and distribution. They give you free access to both retailers and readers.
Besides, with billions of mobile devices across the world, your eBook can reach international markets much faster than traditional methods.
The most lucrative aspect of this modern approach is sales. Depending on the platform you choose, you get anywhere between 40%-80% royalties.
Having a list like this makes it easy for you to make a final decision and get your book discovered by millions!
To know more, please write to us at contact@kitaboo.com
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