One of the major challenges any forward-looking publisher faces is making their online magazines available to as many people as possible. This doesn’t only mean a wide reach, but one that can be accessed through as many platforms and formats as possible. Various people access the Internet and its contents using different kinds of devices. The average user would normally use the personal or desktop computer, whilst business people, especially those working from multiple locations, turn to laptops and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) for their web needs.
So what are the more common platforms in use?
Tablet PCs
A personal computer in the palm of your hand. Unlike the laptop, Tablet PCs allow users to manipulate word documents, spreadsheets and other software using such non-conventional tools as a pen - via handwriting recognition software. To attract buyers to purchase their products, Tablet PC manufacturers have tapped the major publications for content. Electronic magazines can now be carried around and read no matter where the user is. Moreover, manufactures say that the content doesn’t have to be re-tooled, unlike those that are uploaded on the web. This also helps boost advertising as the major advertisers can now sell their wares in a more cost-effective manner. This in turn, is a big help to online magazine publishers.
PDF
Portable Document Format seems to be the most popular way of getting electronic content to readers. Many people have been using PDF to download web content into more portable formats. At the same time, PDF’s layout-friendly attributes have made it a viable option for making online publications available to consumers. And publishers are starting to notice this. Some even offer “print to order” options where readers can choose the pages they want and send these in PDF format to the publisher for printing.
A true online magazine offers the reader the same experience as they would have with a traditional print version; the pages in the same order and the ads in the same place, using a format that is already familiar to readers. At the Web Marketing Group, we have developed bespoke software, called WebMags, that allows us to do exactly that, no matter what sort of publication you run. To find out more about how using WebMags could help you reach more readers and increase your revenues, click on Online Magazines or call 01423 529300 for a quotation.