Reading Revolution: How Online Book Platforms Have Changed the Way We Read

The habit of reading books has indeed come a long way. Once upon a time, access to books and written sources like scrolls was a matter of luxury and hence restricted to the rich strata of society.

However, Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in the 15th century significantly changed things. Books started to be produced in massive quantities; this mass production proved revolutionary and made books accessible to every strata of society. 

Now, in the 21st century, another revolution—the digital revolution—has significantly influenced people’s reading habits. As part of the digital revolution, online book platforms like KITABOO have emerged and changed the way people read. 

Research reveals that digitalization and platformization have increased the options for reading formats and reading subscription models and presented readers with an array of opportunities for information, education, and entertainment. 

In this blog, we will delve into all the ways online book platforms have revolutionized reading. 

Table of Contents:

I. How Online Book Platforms Revolutionized Reading? 

1. Increased Accessibility
2. Increased Convenience
3. Highly Economical
4. Enhanced Inclusivity
5. Improved Reading Features
6. Engaging Experience
7. Personalized Recommendations
8. Immersive Experience
9. Improved Social Connection

II. The End Note

Online book platforms provide people access to books in the form of eBooks, audiobooks, etc. They have revolutionized the reading experience for people in the following ways:

Online book platforms have increased the accessibility of books, doing away with the restrictions posed by location and availability. For example, platforms like KITABOO provide readers access to a vast digital library containing eBooks from all over the world. 

Readers can access a large variety of eBooks, from the latest bestsellers to the classics in multiple genres, on smart devices like mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and more. To secure unlimited access, readers only need to subscribe to a single platform on a monthly or annual basis.

Online book platforms have made reading books more convenient than ever before. Readers can read eBooks or listen to audiobooks while engaged in some other work.

According to research, one of the highly praised advantages of eBooks is that it is lightweight, or rather, there is a lack of weight since eBooks are stored on a single smart device.

Thus, readers can always carry them around in their handbags and indulge in reading while traveling to work or going on vacation.

Purchasing physical books, including textbooks, can be a costly affair, thus decreasing the affordability of reading. Unlike physical books, eBooks available on online book platforms can tackle this problem and increase the affordability of reading.

On online book platforms, instead of paying for every eBook, readers only need to pay a fixed subscription amount per month to be able to access a huge variety of eBooks spanning across different genres. Thus, online book platforms make reading a pretty cost-effective affair.

Traditional book publishing can be incredibly challenging, leading to a growing need for alternative publishing options. Online book platforms have emerged as one such option, offering authors the opportunity to self-publish their works.

Authors worldwide can utilize online book platforms to publish and distribute their works. Thus, online book platforms promote inclusivity in the publishing world.

Access to inclusive literature exposes readers to diverse perspectives and expands their knowledge, adding richness to their reading experience.

With physical books, the customization is limited to highlighting and bookmarking. In contrast, eBooks available on online book platforms like KITABOO come with a wide set of customizable features.

For instance, readers can use the zoom-in and zoom-out tools to adjust the size of the text on the screen. Readers can use the background color feature to change the background color of the eBook to their preference.

Besides these tools, readers can use the search tool, highlight tool, bookmark tool, dictionary tool, and read-aloud tool to enjoy a comfortable reading experience.

On online book platforms like KITABOO, eBooks are usually incorporated with multimedia elements like videos, audio, animations, images, and more. Since people have different learning styles, they can leverage multimedia elements according to their preferences.

For instance, when reading an eBook, a reader with an auditory learning style can play the audio given to better understand the topic being discussed. 

Multimedia elements provide readers with opportunities to customize their reading experience and also make it wholly engaging.

Online book platforms employ advanced algorithms to come up with personalized book recommendations. Advanced algorithms analyze readers’ reading habits, history, and feedback to suggest books tailored to readers’ preferences.

The more readers engage with eBooks on online book platforms, the more accurate and refined the tailored recommendations become. Tailored recommendations help readers discover hidden gems, new genres, and new authors they might not have come across before.

On online book platforms such as KITABOO, eBooks can often contain AR and VR-enabled videos. AR and VR technologies enable readers to experience concepts and phenomena in 360 degrees.

For instance, with AR and VR videos, readers can virtually travel to historical sites, view the intricate structures of the brain, and stand on top of Mount Everest. In this way, VR and AR technologies allow readers to enjoy immersive reading experiences.

As personal as reading is, it is equally a social activity. Online book platforms like KITABOO have made it possible for readers to connect with one another.

Readers can highlight passages, share notes, and discuss their most and least favorite passages and moments, as well as the message of the eBook. Thus, online book platforms foster social connections by enabling readers from all over the globe to connect and engage in lengthy discussions.

In today’s digital world, online book platforms have indeed revolutionized the way we read, primarily through the medium of eBooks. With the global eBook market expected to surpass $15 billion by 2028, the influence of eBooks on the reading experience is only going to increase. 

As a publisher, if you want to continue providing excellent reading experiences, leveraging the potential of eBooks is necessary. And online book platforms like KITABOO can help you out with that. 

KITABOO is an online publishing platform where you can create device-agnostic, engaging eBooks. You can publish your eBooks on KITABOO’s cloud-based platform and even distribute them to different online book platforms. 

To know more, write to us at KITABOO@hurix.com.