Creating an eBook is a significant accomplishment, but ensuring that your hard work looks professional on every device requires careful attention to eBook formatting. Issues like misaligned text or hard-to-read fonts can frustrate readers and harm your eBook sales. When people buy an eBook, they expect it to be polished and error-free.
Thanks to platforms like Kindle, self-publishing is easier than ever. However, this simplicity can lead to overlooked details and rushed decisions, often resulting in a low-quality final product. These eBook formatting mistakes usually show up in reviews, leaving authors disappointed.
To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ll highlight common eBook formatting errors and how to prevent them. Let’s make sure your eBook is ready to impress from the start.
Common eBook Formatting Mistakes
Ignoring Consistent Layouts
A consistent layout is key to a smooth reading experience. If your eBook’s fonts, spacing, or alignment change unexpectedly from one section to another, it can confuse and distract your readers. Stick to a consistent style throughout your eBook, with uniform chapter headings, paragraph spacing, and font choices.
Tip: Before finalizing your eBook, review each chapter to ensure consistent formatting. Use styles and templates to keep everything aligned.
Wrong Paragraph Indents or No Paragraph Breaks
Poorly indented paragraphs or the absence of paragraph breaks can make your eBook look messy and unappealing. Avoid using the tab key or spacebar to indent paragraphs when formatting in Word.
Instead, ensure all paragraphs are consistently formatted. The amount of indentation may vary depending on the reader’s device, so use the Kindle Previewer to check that the indentation is noticeable across different devices. You might need to emphasize the indentation on some Kindles, typically around 25px.
Expert Tip: Always preview your eBook on multiple devices to ensure that paragraph indents and breaks are clear and consistent.
Using Hard-to-Read Fonts
Selecting the right font and size is essential when designing an eBook. Choosing standard fonts rather than fancy ones is necessary to ensure readability across all devices. While decorative fonts might look attractive, they can make your text hard to read, especially on smaller screens. Stick with clear, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Georgia, and ensure the font size is comfortable for reading on different devices.
Expert Tip: Always test your eBook on various devices. Consider adjusting the font or size if the text isn’t easy to read.
Neglecting Proper Line and Paragraph Spacing
Improper line or paragraph spacing can make your eBook feel cramped or disjointed. Too little space between lines can strain the reader’s eyes, and too much space can make the content feel disconnected. A balanced look with consistent spacing enhances readability.
Expert Tip: Use line spacing between 1.2 and 1.5, and ensure clear space between paragraphs. Consistency is critical—ensure there are even spaces between each section break and under headers. Avoid using complex returns; instead, use styles to manage spacing. Adjust the .css file to ensure your eBook looks organized and professional across all devices.
Ignoring Table of Contents Formatting
A well-structured table of contents (TOC) is vital for helping readers navigate your eBook. If the TOC is poorly formatted or not hyperlinked, it can frustrate readers and make it hard to find specific sections. Ensure that your TOC links correctly to each chapter or section title.
Expert Tip:
- Double-check your TOC links to confirm they work correctly and are easy to follow.
- Use H1 and H2 styles for your chapter headings to create a functional TOC. If you’re using Word, apply these styles directly.
- For those using Sigil or other eBook tools, set and adjust the heading styles to ensure the TOC generates correctly, keeping your eBook easy to navigate.
Overlooking Image Formatting
Images can significantly enhance your eBook, but improper formatting can lead to issues. Large images might not display well on smaller screens, while low-resolution images can appear pixelated. To maintain quality without sacrificing performance, always resize and compress your images.
Expert Tip:
- Use images sparingly and format them correctly for eBook displays.
- Consider adding alt text for accessibility.
- Images play a crucial role in academic eBooks and textbooks, so ensure they are visually appealing.
- Keep images around 1200px wide to balance quality and file size, and use tools like Photoshop to adjust the resolution.
- Preview your eBook on Kindle to ensure images display correctly across devices.
Failing to Test on Multiple Devices
One of the biggest mistakes in eBook formatting is failing to test your eBook across multiple devices. What looks great on a Kindle might not work as well on an iPhone or tablet. Each device has its own way of displaying content, and if your eBook isn’t optimized, it could lead to a poor reading experience.
Expert Tip: Preview your eBook on as many devices as possible before publishing. Look for any formatting issues and make adjustments accordingly.
Overloading Front and Back Matter
Unlike print books, your eBook doesn’t need to include all the traditional front and back matter. Focus on what’s most important. Instead of a lengthy copyright notice, consider using that space to request a review, offer something special, or introduce yourself briefly. For the back matter, link to your other books or website or include a call to action or bonus to encourage readers to sign up for your mailing list.
Expert Tip: Use your front and back matter strategically to engage readers and encourage them to take the next step, whether leaving a review, visiting your website, or exploring your other works. You can embed HTML into your eBook to enhance these sections. A quick trick is to create and customize your back matter in WordPress, then copy the HTML code into your eBook using Sigil.
Why Hire eBook Formatting Companies?
Avoiding eBook formatting mistakes can be challenging, especially if you’re new to self-publishing. Minor errors can easily slip through, impacting your book’s readability and overall presentation. This is where professional eBook formatting companies come in. By hiring experts, you can ensure that your eBook is free of formatting errors and looks polished on any device.
These companies specialize in perfecting the details, from consistent fonts to proper spacing and image placement. With their help, you can focus on your content while they handle the technical side, enhancing your eBook’s readability and giving it a professional finish.
Boost Your eBook Sales and Ensure a Polished Look with Professional eBook Formatting Services
Proper eBook formatting is essential for creating a polished, professional product that readers will appreciate. Avoiding common formatting mistakes can enhance the reading experience and boost your eBook’s success.
Whether you’re self-publishing or using eBook formatting services, taking the time to carefully review your formatting and test your eBook on different devices ensures it looks great on any screen. Your readers will notice the difference, and your eBook will stand out for all the right reasons.
