The transition from the ePub2 to ePub3 format in digital publishing is a crucial step that publishers and authors should consider. In a recent conversation with a publisher-client, a significant question arose: “Why should I publish in the ePub3 format?” This question is relevant both for those already producing in ePub2 and for those just entering the digital world. Below, we explore four compelling reasons to adopt the ePub3 format.
1. ePub3 and HTML5: The Universal Language of the Web
ePub3 is fundamentally based on HTML5, the universal language of the web. This feature ensures a robust text structure and clear semantics, independent of external software. With HTML5, formatting is embedded directly in the text, ensuring that structure and meaning remain intact across different platforms and formats.
2. Enhanced Accessibility
Accessibility is one of the main reasons to choose ePub3. This format includes advanced features that allow the creation of accessible digital books, meeting accessibility guidelines and making content available to a broader audience, including people with visual impairments.
3. Enriched Metadata for Better Visibility
ePub3 offers a wider variety of metadata compared to ePub2. This means that detailed information about the book, such as title, author, keywords, and descriptions, can be incorporated, significantly improving the book’s visibility and searchability across different platforms.
4. Richness in Design and Interactivity
Thanks to the combination of HTML5 and CSS3, ePub3 allows for a richness in typographic and graphic design, as well as interactivity. This feature is especially beneficial for educational and children’s books, where interaction and multimedia elements enrich the reading experience.
Conclusion
The transition to ePub3 is not just a technical update, but a strategic restructuring of the editorial flow. It considers content reuse, accessibility, efficient distribution, and attractive design. These aspects make ePub3 a smart choice for publishers looking to innovate and stand out in the digital market.
Share your opinion or suggest topics for future discussions in the comments below. In the next article, we will explore the relationship between ePub and accessibility, offering practical tips for creating accessible content.
