The design of your eBook is equally as important as the content. A poorly designed eBook can result in a frustrated or disinterested reader so make sure you put as much thought and effort into the look of your eBook as the actual content.
Note: The following tips are arranged alphabetically, not in order of importance.
1. Bold
Use bold formatting to make phrases stand out – people scan online documents and if you want to make sure they read a specific section make sure you direct their attention to it in some way.
Beware of the overuse of bold though – if used too often it ceases to be a highlight and becomes commonplace.
2. Branding
If your eBook is produced for your company than it should include the company logo, contact information and other brand elements.
Don’t overlook the fact that you, as the author, are also a brand. Make sure you include an about the author section, with a portrait image and information about how to contact you, read more about you, purchase more of your books and how to connect with you on social networking sites.
3. Chapters
Unless your eBook is very short, break it up into sections, chapters and subsections if necessary.
See ‘chunking’ for more suggestions on breaking up your content.
4. Chunking
Just as on web pages it is important to chunk your information – break it up into easy to understand pieces. This means breaking up your paragraphs, using bullet points and number lists, subheadings, etc.
Make sure you chunk logically though – don’t just break a paragraph because it looks too long, only break it up at an appropriate point.
5. Colours
Use a colour scheme throughout your eBook.
Remember that eBooks are read on screen so they will be displayed in colour – use colour to make your headlines, pull quotes and features stand out but don’t get carried away and create a rainbow book (unless you are writing for children!).
6. Columns
Don’t use a DTP program newsletter layout for your eBook. Newsletter templates usually have multiple columns and your reader will have to scroll down then back up to read your content. This is not appropriate for an eBook – think of it as more of a static webpage which will be read from top to bottom.
7. Contents List
If you are creating a PDF eBook a page numbered content list is appropriate. Using links to the chapters can also be useful.
If you are creating a publication for eBook reading devices such as the Kindle, page numbers should not be used as pages will be fluid.
8. Cover
This is the most important element of your eBook design and it usually isn’t actually part of the eBook at all!
The old maxim that ‘you can’t judge a book by it’s cover’ may be true, but when buying books people often do judge them by their cover and this is particularly so for eBooks.
You can create a simple 2D image with any image editing software, or you can create a 3D style image to represent your book. Beware of using an image that does not appropriately represent your eBook, eg. a short eBook with a cover image that makes it appear like a bulky tome.
Since the cover image can play quite a large role in influencing whether a reader will purchase your eBook or not, this may be the one area where you really should invest in a professional design if you want to get the best return on your investment.
9. Fonts
Use standard fonts available on both Mac and PC for the most reader friendly eBook.
Make sure you choose a font that does have italic and bold options for your body content, otherwise you will not be able to highlight words or phrases within the body text.
For the main body content choose a sans-serif font. San serif fonts are easier to read on screen – both on websites and in eBooks.
Serif fonts have been considered best for reading in print but you will find san serif fonts being used more and more in print publications now. You can still use serif fonts in your eBook if you wish but try to use them only for headings and pull quotes.
10. Images
Carefully consider each image you wish to use in your eBook:
Does it serve a purpose?
Does it help get your message across?
Is it an essential design element?
If the image has no purpose – delete it. You don’t want to distract your reader with extraneous information.
11. Italics
Italics are good for highlighting phrases or words; they are more subtle than bold
Use italics sparingly – don’t italicise whole paragraphs as this can make reading more difficult.
12. Links
Because eBooks are read online or on screen you can insert clickable links which can take your reader to other relevant websites or resources, or other pages in your eBook.
Be wary of how and where you insert external links. If you have them scattered throughout your content you risk distracting your readers – if you send them off to check something else out they may not come back to finish your eBook. Consider adding the links at the end of your book in a resource section.
When adding website links make sure you include the full URL in the text as well as the link – it may not look as neat as ‘see the Microsoft website for more details’, but it ensures that if your reader prints the eBook they can still use the link if they wish.
13. Themes
If you are creating your eBook with Microsoft Word or Publisher, or a similar product, don’t be tempted to use the in built generic page borders or themes. You don’t want someone to be able to look at your original eBook and immediately know exactly which software product you used to create it.
Your eBook is an original work and it should look original too. If you don’t have the skill or experience to create a unique design, contract out this part of your eBook production. It will be worth it to have a professionally designed eBook.
14. Underline
Do not use underline for anything except links!
You don’t want to confuse or frustrate your readers in any way.
15. White Space
Don’t be afraid of white space. A cluttered eBook will make reading difficult and may not hold the attention of your reader.
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