Top eBook Formats for 2024: Which One Should You Choose for Your Digital Publishing Needs?

eBooks elevate the reading by augmenting multiple features into the whole experience. Interactivity, vocabulary building, bookmarks, and visual adjustments are just some of the features that eBook readers facilitate.

This is why Statista estimates that there will be over 1.1 billion eBook users worldwide by 2027. If your digital publishing company wants to provide exemplary reading experiences to these readers, you need to choose the best eBook formats in which to publish books.

Selecting the right format ensures that the eBook features resonate with the current times and provide your audience with an immersive experience.

Table of Contents:

I. Types of eBook Formats in 2024

1. FB2
2. EPUB
3. IBA
4. MOBI
5. DJVU
6. AWZ and AZW3
7. PDF

II. Which eBook Format Should You Choose in 2024?

1. Target Audience
2. Layout Requirements
3. Accessibility
4. Compatibility

III. Simplify Digital Publishing in Any Format with KITABOO

In 2024, there are 7 major types of  eBook formats that you can explore for your digital publishing needs:

This is an XML-based eBook format popular with book collectors because it can store metadata within the book file itself. FB2 files are easy to convert into other formats, making them popular with sellers. They are also used as a storage format for eBooks.

EPUB books are the most widely used and accepted eBook format. It is supported by a wide range of eBook readers, devices, and platforms, making it universally accessible. This format also supports SVG graphics, hyperlinks, audio, video, colors, etc., making it highly suitable for creating interactive, immersive e-reading experiences.

Apple powers this format, which is generally found in eBooks created on the iBooks Author app. It also supports multimedia and interactivity elements like audio, video, and clicks. However, this format is only compatible with Apple devices and operating systems, which limits its use.

This is the default eBook format for Amazon Kindle. It is not an open standard format and is not available for all publishers. Although it was discontinued, people still use it because of its simplicity. It does not offer any DRM protection, animation, audio, or video, limiting its use.

This eBook format is highly advanced and is the most suitable for the scientific research and development niche because it has the capability to store over 100 b&w scans within the size of 1 megabyte.

These are the proprietary eBook formats for Amazon Kindle publications. They have the capacity to store complex content information like bookmarks, highlights, annotations, and more. They help enhance the reading experience drastically.

This format is the most popular one used for publishing and sharing documents electronically. However, PDF files do not support reflow and adjustments and are pretty much static once published.

Selecting the right format for digital publication depends on several factors:

The audience reading it is the most important aspect of selecting an eBook format. If your audience regularly expects interactivity, images, videos, font-size adjustments, and other features from their eBooks, you would need to select formats like EPUB or AZW that support these capabilities.

Digital publishing formats also depend on the type of eBooks you are publishing. For example, children’s books contain a lot of illustrations and sounds, whereas novels typically only contain text. Based on these factors, the most suitable format for your publication may change. For example, novels may be published on PDF platforms just as effectively, whereas it may not be the best choice for children’s books.

Since eBooks are digital, it is necessary to consider accessibility requirements to cater to audiences with special or different needs. Accessibility standards applicable in your region or the region of distribution will also influence the format you choose for your eBooks. For example, in the US, you need to consider Section 508, whereas in Europe, the European Accessibility Act determines these requirements.

Consider the various platforms and channels you plan to distribute your eBook. If it is an exclusive item for use on specific eReader platforms, you can select dedicated file formats that prevent downloading or using these publications on other media. However, if you intend to allow users to download it to their drives, you may want to consider a more universal format (such as the PDF format).

In a modern setting, however, most audiences prefer having a plethora of features and functionality from their eBooks, making EPUB and PDF the most versatile formats. Not only are these formats universally accepted and accessible, but they also provide the flexibility to add media, interactivity, and advanced features that enhance the reading experience.

Selecting the right digital publishing format is as important as creating an engaging eBook. The format helps publishers distribute eBooks effectively while incorporating all the necessary features and functionalities that make reading fun for their audience.

Modern digital publishing platforms like KITABOO empower digital publishers to control the entire process from a single window. KITABOO provides features to design, create, proofread, edit, compile, distribute, protect, and manage all digital publications on a single platform. The platform offers support for multiple file formats depending on publishers’ needs.

Publishers also benefit from a worldwide distribution network and flexible monetization models with KITABOO. Explore more interesting features on the KITABOO website today.

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