The Ultimate Guide to Top Flipbook Software !

When I was looking to redesign my brochure, I thought to myself, ‘there must be something less archaic than this.’ So much of our lives is digital, why on earth are we still cutting down trees to print physical brochures that will only go out of date a few months down the line?

I began to investigate my options and to read up on the reasons why we still spend huge chunks of our marketing budget on physical brochures.

The overwhelming evidence suggested that customers still found PDF brochures hard to read and difficult to engage with, which left many businesses with no other option than to resort to printing them out.

However, an increasing number of companies were also starting to see great results from something they called ‘flip books.’

These online publications were not only possible to read on screens of all shapes and sizes, they also allowed businesses to add in exciting features like audio and video, to help their brochure appeal to their customers in new, interesting ways.

Six months down the line, and I’ve not only created a number of flipbook publications for my business; I’ve also got some amazing results to share with you.

People are spending longer reading my media, they’re acting more often on my calls to action, and they’re spending more money on my products than ever before.

My flipbooks are not only great to share with new prospects via email or social media, but they also attract new customers themselves, thanks to easy Google indexing and searchable pages.

My only regret is not finding flipbooks sooner.

If you’re just coming around to the idea of the flip book, I hope I can be of some assistance to you.

Finding the right top flipbook software provider is probably the first hurdle you will encounter, so I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you narrow down your options.

Guide to choosing a top flipbook software

Here I’ll talk you through what flipbooks are all about, and what you should be looking for when choosing flipbook software.

From choosing the features you need to decide how to purchase the programme, I’ll demystify everything you need to know so that you can make a more informed choice

What exactly is a flipbook?

I love flipbooks, and I’m sure you will too.

Unlike traditional PDF brochures and leaflets, these are not simply static pages to be read in a passive, unengaging way.

The very nature of a flipbook means it’s more interactive, more engaging and more fun to use, making it a great way to engage with your customers in a deeper and more meaningful way.

If you’ve ever stumbled across a glossy magazine online, with gorgeous ‘turning’ pages and exquisite rendering of images and text, you’ve probably already experienced a little of what a flipbook can do. Converted easily from your standard PDF file, flipbooks feature realistic animated flipping pages and can be embedded with various other features and elements to make them more than just a replication of a printed brochure.

Mobile users, in particular, find flipbooks infinitely appealing, because of the interaction they experience is much more mobile friendly than the traditional PDF.

Instead of continually pinching to zoom, scrolling around and inadvertently clicking on links, flipbooks resize themselves to suit the screen, giving every user the same pleasant browsing experience, no matter what size the screen.

It’s the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to turn your PDF materials into a mobile-friendly format.

SaaS software subscription or outright purchase?

One of the very first choices you’ll have to make is whether to buy the software outright or to use a SaaS solution instead.

SaaS is the acronym for Software as a Service, and regarding flipbook software, it refers to those providers who are solely based online.

The alternative to a SaaS provider is one which allows you to buy the software outright, either provided as a digital download or as a physical data disc mail order or from a shop.

There are pros and cons to each solution, so it’s important to think about how you plan to use your flipbook software before committing either way.

For example, you should think about:

Cost:

SaaS solutions tend to be subscription based, so there is an ongoing cost to using it.

However, this is usually a fairly low cost and can be a more affordable way into flipbook making than an outright purchase which can cost a great deal.

It also means you’ll get to try out using flipbooks, and if they don’t work for you, you can simply cancel without spending any more than a month or two’s subscription.

Updates:

Although the purchased software will often include patch updates from time to time, major improvements to the technology will usually be released as a whole new product, requiring another future purchase.

With SaaS-based programmes, updates happen behind the scenes all the time, so that you can benefit from the latest version instantly, and without any additional cost.

Ease and convenience of use:

With a SaaS flipbook creator, all you need is a web browser and an internet connection, and you can get started.

Remote team members can log in from anywhere and use the service, whereas with a purchased alternative you’ll be limited to using the machine it’s been installed on.

There are no worries about operating systems or supported versions; an up to date browser is all that’s required.

There are other pros and cons associated with choosing flip book software, some of which will be unique to your own situation.

In general, using a SaaS solution is what I would recommend, although it does depend on your own circumstances.

What to look for in a top flipbook software

When you start looking for a flipbook software provider, if you’re anything like me you’ll be instantly overwhelmed by choice.

Just a quick Google search will uncover tens, if not hundreds, of options, all promising to supply amazing flipbooks and robust software.

Despite all the offers claiming to be just what you need, different software platforms come with different features and benefits for the user.

Understanding what to look for in a software provider will let you start sorting out those platforms which are likely to be a good match and those which can’t provide what you need. Here’s what to look at:

Ease of use

Software should be intuitive, simple to use and to have a short and not-too-steep learning curve.

I tried out several platforms and instantly found that I gelled better with some more than others.

If you’re finding it a struggle to get the basics done, it’s only going to get worse when you want to begin introducing interactive elements and other advanced features, so it’s probably not a good choice for you.

HTML5 output

The majority of top flipbook software platforms work with HTML5 but do double check when you’re making your choice because there are still a handful working with Flash.

Flash used to be the goto piece of software for this kind of project, but after being plagued with viruses, malicious software and bugs, it’s been dropped from both Google and Apple’s browsers and is on its way out.

Although most platforms are switching to HTML5, some trial versions still output in Flash which will make it difficult to share your publication, so make sure you know what the finished product will be before committing.

Free trial, affordable ongoing costs

Most online flipbook software providers offer some form of a free trial.

For some, such as Yumpu, the free trial does most basic functions, although more are available on the paid version.

Some services will include a watermark or advertising with the free version, and others will limit the number of pages or the number of magazines you can produce.

Some free trials offer all the functionality, but only for a limited amount of time.

Make sure you understand what you’re getting and how much you’ll be paying, in the long run, to ensure the software is suitable.

Support and advice

A good flipbook software provider will come with all the support and advice you need to use the programme.

This may be in the form of a tutorial, a user manual or videos, and there should be interactive support or a chat where you can ask specific questions.

Forums can be useful if they are well used, and ideally, you’ll be able to access technical support at times that suit your business.

Analytics and data

One of the biggest advantages of HTML5 flipbooks over PDF documents is the ability to track and analyze user behavior.

A top flipbook software will allow you to understand your customers more deeply, reporting things like how many pages they read, which links they clicked and what device they viewed your publication on.

Some software will allow you to integrate your publication with your Google Analytics account so that you can keep all your valuable data in one place.

Check what’s included with your trial or free account, as some providers only offer this type of feedback with paid subscriptions.

Exciting features and a trustworthy brand

New businesses enter the flipbook market every day, so before investing your time and pennies into a service, make sure they are worthy of your trust.

Newcomers may not have access to all the features you may, eventually, like to include, so even if all you’re looking for today is a basic flipbook maker, remember to check out the extent of their capabilities with your future needs in mind.

Easy sharing

Most online flipbook makers will have an integrated sharing system of some sort but do check it out to make sure it’s easy to share your publications on your preferred platforms.

Some providers make it easier than others to email your publication, and others will link seamlessly with popular social media channels to make it easy for you to spread the word.

Think about how you plan to share your document and make sure your chosen software allows this to happen without complication.

Only you know what you’re going to be using your flipbook software for, and what’s most important to you, so it’s a good idea to come up with your own set of priorities before you start making your choices.

Having a handy tick list of features, you can’t live without will let you shortlist or dismiss providers more easily.

If you need an overview of the best flipbook software out there, I also wrote another article where I list a few of my best flipbook software including pros and cons.

Playing the field

Thankfully, because most top flipbook software providers offer free trials of their products, it’s not necessary to make a firm commitment early on.

If you think a provider offers many of the features that you’re looking for, why not take them for a spin and see how you get on?

Even if you do need to subscribe in order to try out the service properly, most contracts are a rolling month to month service, so you’re only committed for the next 30 days anyway.

Finding a top flipbook software package might take a bit of time, but once you’ve found the right company, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of HTML5 flipbooks.

Take your time, explore your options and try before you buy, and you’ll be reaping the rewards in no time.