Major Challenges in the eBook Conversion Process & How to Address Them

Posted by Andrewleo on May 24th, 2023

Digitization is gradually penetrating in every industry and the publishing sector is no exception. The ongoing technological advancements including the development of reading devices, multilingual features of eBooks, and their ability to protect the environment have made eBooks popular among readers. They have taken over traditional hard-cover paper books and transformed our reading experiences, making them more immersive. Hence, eBook conversion has become an industry-wide standard.

eBook conversion is the process of converting a book into a digital or an analog format, making them fit for digital consumption and delivery. The good news is that you don’t need dedicated devices like Amazon Kindle or Barnes and Noble to read eBooks, rather they can be accessed through smartphones, desktops, laptops, and a range of other digital devices—through a widely compatible eBook format called ePub.  

However, the process of digitizing the existing titles or creating new eBooks is time taking and resource intensive. In addition, there are various challenges associated with it. This blog talks about the challenges in the eBook conversion process and how you can overcome them.

Common eBook Conversion Challenges

The eBook conversion process comes with its set of challenges, considering the technical and linguistic complexities. Let’s dive into some of these major eBook conversion hurdles:

• RTL Languages and File Types

Language type and format are the two leading factors that impact the complexity of the eBook conversion project. The turnaround time and expertise required to complete the project are determined whether the project starts from an InDesign Format, Word Document, or a scannable PDF.

Other than the file type, the language used also has its impact. For instance, Right to Left Languages, such as Persian, Arabic, and Hebrew typically require additional formatting if the tools used aren’t optimized according to the application. Though some of the bidirectional issues can be fixed with some regular expressions, these can’t be applied globally.

• Quality of Source Content

The quality of the source content poses an additional challenge. For instance, the text could be hard to read, blurry, or visually confusing due to the usage of multiple languages or complex elements and fonts. Consider another case in point, you want to scan old books but you are worried about the book’s fragile spine or the integrity of the already brittle pages.

In such cases, conversion specialists and a team of linguists equipped with special scanning equipment will be required. This is because processing scanned books or documents with OCR needs human revision to get uncompromised source content quality.

• Complexity, Variety, and Scale

eBooks with a limited number of pages and simple content would be easier to convert compared to files with more interactive, visuals, and multimedia elements. The below-mentioned factors directly impact the complexity, variety, and scale of a project:

1. Images such as photos, drawings, infographics

2. Embedded, ordered, and unordered lists

3. Customized content types including images, content in margins, formatted text boxes, etc.

4. Footnotes and endnotes

5. Columns or vertical sections

As evident, the greater variety of elements makes the process more complicated. Publishers need more specialized teams to strike a balance between technological and linguistic expertise.

• Accessibility

Ensuring accessibility is a hot trend and businesses can welcome inclusivity and diversity. Recent international regulations such as Section 508 Accessibility Compliance are compelling publishers to re-think and consider accessibility. Making sure that the eBooks are accessible from the start helps in avoiding costly edits and reworks later, and enhances usability for consumers, irrespective of their abilities or disabilities.

You can leverage HTML coding to enable accessibility using proper authority. However, an XML-first workflow makes the application of WAI-ARIA specification (Web Accessibility Initiative-Accessible Rich Internet Applications)—the necessary structural semantics, a lot easier.

The eBook conversion process demands technical, linguistic, and visual expertise to be performed effectively. While specific challenges may arise based on the condition or the complexity of the source content, all of these can be addressed with the help of an experienced vendor. Additionally, professional eBook formatting service takes care of the ‘look-and-feel,’ delivering aesthetically pleasing and content-enriched eBooks.

Reasons You Need eBook Conversion Services

Outsourcing eBook conversion services offers a gamut of advantages to authors, publishers, and self-publishing authors. Some of these are listed here:

• Professional Quality

eBook conversion needs technical and linguistic expertise and sound knowledge of formatting standards for different eBook platforms. By collaborating with eBook conversion specialists, you can ensure that your eBook meets the highest-quality standards as these professionals carry out the process without any errors. They have hands-on experience in handling complex formatting elements including tables, images, hyperlinks, footnotes, etc.

• Time and Cost Saving

eBook conversion is a daunting task, especially when you are not familiar with the process or do not possess the required technical specifications. Collaborating with outsourcing vendors saves you valuable time, which could be better used for writing, editing, proofreading, and marketing your book. A bonus point is that outsourcing can be cost-effective since you do not have to invest in specialized software, tools, or training to perform the ePub conversion yourself.

• Enhanced Compatibility

eBook conversion and formatting specialists are well-versed in the compatibility requirements of different eReaders, mobile devices, and tablets. They optimize your eBook for a wide range of platforms including iOS, Android, Windows devices, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble, and other dedicated devices. Also, they make sure that the content is displayed correctly across various devices, delivering a seamless and an immersive reading experience to your audience.

• Multiple Format Support

Another tangible advantage of outsourcing eBook conversion tasks is that you get support for a wide range of input and output formats. Meaning, you can submit your manuscript in formats like PDF, Word Doc, HTML, or InDesign and the service provider will convert it into the desired eBook format, such as ePub or MOBI. This flexibility lets you work with your preferred file format and convert it into a format best suitable for wider eBook distribution.

• Distribution Assistance

Many eBook conversion services also offer distribution services, helping you reach a broader audience by making your eBook available on popular platforms and retailers. They can assist with uploading your eBook to platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and more, saving you the hassle of dealing with multiple distribution channels yourself.

• Support and Updates

You get ongoing support and updates while engaging in outsourced eBook conversion. The professionals can be relied on for issues with the conversion or changes to be made. They assist you with troubleshooting problems and making necessary adjustments to ascertain that your eBook meets the required standards.

Bottom Line

Remember to research thoroughly and choose a reliable service provider to ensure the best outcomes of eBook conversion. Assess and evaluate their experience, expertise, customer reviews, pricing, and the level of support they offer before making a decision.