The way we consume content today has drastically changed over the last decade. With the rise of digital devices and the internet, the way we read, learn, and engage with content has shifted from print to digital.
As per Statista, the publishing market is projected to reach $26.76 billion in 2023 and can grow at an annual rate of 2.80%, reaching $29.88 billion by 2027.
As a result, publishers, authors, and content creators need to adapt to this changing landscape by adopting digital publishing formats that offer greater accessibility and engagement for their readers.
One such format is ePUB3, the latest version of the open standard format for digital publications. With its advanced multimedia support, accessibility features, and formatting capabilities, ePUB3 offers a range of benefits that can enhance the reader experience and reach a wider audience.
If you’re considering converting your content to ePUB3, there are many reasons why it could be a smart move. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of ePUB3, how to create effective ePUB3 content, and the ePUB3 conversion tools available for building and publishing your digital publications in this powerful format.
Table of Contents:
What is ePUB3?
ePUB3 is the latest version of the ePUB (electronic publication) format that defines a distribution and interchange format used in digital publications and documents. This format is designed to offer a consistent reading experience across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and computers.
ePUB3 format defines a range of resources, including representing, packaging, and encoding WEB3 content in HTML, CSS, SVG, and other platforms, allowing the ePUB3 files to have videos, audio, and interactive multimedia content. It also allows for hyperlinking to internal and external sources, making it highly interactive and user-friendly.
5 Key Features of ePUB3
ePUB3 offers several improvements over its predecessor, EPUB2. This makes it increasingly popular among publishers, authors, and content creators who want to offer engaging and interactive digital publications that can be accessed on various devices.
Some of the key features of ePUB3 include the following:
- Multimedia support: ePUB3 offers advanced support for multimedia content such as video and audio. This allows publishers to create more engaging and interactive digital publications.
- Accessibility features: ePUB3 includes several accessibility features, including support for alt text descriptions for images, improved navigation for readers with disabilities, and text-to-speech capabilities. You can check out how to add eBook accessibility features and comply with the 2019 directive mentioned in the European Accessibility Act.
- Advanced formatting capabilities: ePUB3 offers greater flexibility in layout and typography, allowing publishers to create more sophisticated designs and page layouts.
- Global language support: ePUB3 supports a wide range of languages and character sets, making it a versatile format for publishers with a global audience who want to target different languages and reach a diverse readership.
- Interactivity: ePUB3 offers several features that enable interactivity, such as pop-up notes, hyperlinks, and interactive quizzes.
How Can Existing Content Be Converted Into the ePUB3 Format?
If you want to create content in ePUB format for your readers, you can refer to our guide, which will give you a step-by-step process to create accessible ePUB files with ease. However, to convert your existing content into ePUB3 format, you do not have to build from scratch and follow some simple steps.
Here is how an ePUB3 conversion tool can help you convert your existing content into ePUB3 format:
Step 1: Choose an Appropriate Conversion Tool
Since several tools available today can help you convert your content into ePUB3 format, you need to pick the one that is apt for your needs.
The top ePUB3 conversion tools are HurixDigital, KITABOO, Calibre, Sigil, and Adobe InDesign. Some of these tools are free, while others require a paid subscription or one-time purchase.
Step 2: Get Your Content in the Right Format
Before converting your content, it’s essential to ensure that it is properly formatted and structured. This may include fixing formatting issues, adding headings and subheadings, and ensuring that images and other multimedia content are correctly embedded.
Some ePUB3 conversion tools can only convert particular formats into ePUB3 format, e.g. if converting XML to ePUB3, the process, and tools will be different compared to other formats.
Therefore, make sure you choose a software that allows you to convert multiple formats into ePUB3, which include PDF, Microsoft Word files, XML, scanned copies, manuscripts, hard copies, and others to ePUB3 so that it can be used for a range of use cases.
Step 3: Convert Your Content
Once you have prepared your content and chosen a conversion tool, you can begin the conversion process. The specific steps will vary depending on the tool you are using, but in general, you will need to import your content into the tool and follow the prompts to convert it into ePUB3 format.
Step 4: Check and Edit your ePUB3 File
After converting your content, checking the output for errors and formatting issues is important. Ideally, you should make edits to the content and ensure it is error-free and formatted as per your requirements.
It is also recommended to make sure that you check your content for formatting on multiple devices so that it is easy to read and interact with.
Step 5: Publish and Distribute your ePUB3 File
Now that your ePUB3 file is error-free and properly formatted, you can publish and distribute it on various digital platforms, such as Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, KITABOO, or Google Play Books.
For each platform, it is always a good practice to check each page to ensure it is optimal for the chosen platform and there are no errors that can sometimes be introduced when uploading the file on these platforms.
Overall, converting existing content into ePUB3 format can be a relatively simple process with the right tools and preparation. However, it’s essential to remember that the quality and effectiveness can vary, making it vital to thoroughly check it before publishing it.
Summary: ePUB3 for Your Publishing Needs
In conclusion, ePUB3 is a significant development in the world of digital publishing that offers several features and improvements over its predecessor.
By leveraging the advanced capabilities of ePUB3, publishers, authors, and content creators can create interactive and accessible digital publications that engage readers and provide an enhanced reading experience.
If you want to convert your existing content into ePUB3, you can follow the steps outlined in this guide. However, while it is simple, ensure that the content is correctly formatted before your start converting it, as the quality and effectiveness of the resulting ePUB3 file depend a lot on the structure and quality of the original content.
Experienced ePUB3 conversion services can help you get this done a lot quicker and ensure that your files have optimal quality across devices and platforms.
With Hurix, you can convert digital formats like XML, NIMAS, and others into ePUB3 format, making it extremely easy to convert and publish your content in the digital world.
