Best Site to Sell Books Online

In today’s digital age, selling books is a chance for authors, self-publishers, and sellers. It can be very profitable. Many platforms can help you sell eBooks, audiobooks, and physical books. They cater to different needs and audiences. This article will explore the best sites to sell books online. We will outline the features, pros, and cons of each platform. By the end of this guide, you’ll know the Best Site to Sell Books Online.

Why Sell Books Online?

Before diving into the platforms, know this: selling books online is a opportunity.

• Global Audience: The internet connects you to a global market, allowing your books to reach readers worldwide. For authors focused on Christian themes, partnering with Best Christian Book Publishers can help ensure your message aligns with Christian values while reaching a broad, diverse audience across the globe. These publishers have the expertise to promote your work within faith-based communities and beyond.
• Low Overheads: Unlike traditional bookstores, online selling has no rent or inventory worries.
• Easy Setup: Most platforms are user-friendly. They help authors and sellers upload, market, and sell their books with little hassle.
• Variety of Formats: Online platforms can accommodate your print book, eBook, or audiobook.

Now that we know why selling books online is beneficial, let’s dive into the best sites to sell books online.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Best for: eBooks and paperbacks (print-on-demand).

Overview: Amazon KDP is the world’s largest self-publishing platform. It allows authors to publish eBooks and paperbacks. Kindle is one of the world’s most popular e-readers. Amazon’s vast customer base and global reach make KDP an obvious choice for many authors.

Why It’s Great:

• Huge Reach: Amazon is the largest online retailer. Your books will reach millions of potential customers.
• KDP lets you distribute your books worldwide. It has options for different regions and currencies.
• Royalties: Authors can earn up to 70% royalties on eBooks and 60% on paperbacks sold via Amazon.
• Print-on-Demand: KDP offers print-on-demand services for physical books. You don’t need to worry about upfront printing costs or managing inventory.
• The KDP platform is user-friendly. It has guides for each step to upload your content.

Considerations:

• Market Saturation: Due to its popularity, competition is fierce on Amazon. To stand out, your book needs to be well-promoted and highly rated.
• Exclusive Option: If you choose Amazon’s KDP Select, your book must be exclusive to Amazon for 90 days. This program offers higher royalties and promotional opportunities.

Barnes & Noble Press

Best for: eBooks and print books.

Overview: Barnes & Noble Press is a great platform for authors. It can sell their books through one of the biggest U.S. retailers. While Amazon dominates online book sales, Barnes & Noble has a loyal customer base.

Why It’s Great:

• Global Reach: Barnes & Noble distributes to over 30 countries. This expands your market reach.
• Print Options: Like KDP, Barnes & Noble Press offers print-on-demand services for paperbacks.
• Royalties: Authors can earn up to 65% royalties on eBooks sold, depending on the price point. For print books, the royalties are based on the cost of printing.
• Easy Setup: The platform is easy to use. You can upload, publish, and manage your books.

Considerations:

• Limited Market Reach: While Barnes & Noble is widely known in the U.S., it doesn’t have the same global reach as Amazon.
• Formatting Requirements: Barnes & Noble Press has strict formatting guidelines for eBooks. Following them can be time-consuming.

Apple Books

Best for: eBooks.

Overview: Apple Books is a great platform for authors. It lets them sell their eBooks in the Apple ecosystem. Its audience may be smaller than Amazon’s. But, it has a strong customer base, especially among Apple users.

Why It’s Great:

• iOS Integration: Apple Books is integrated into the iOS ecosystem, allowing readers to easily purchase and read books on their Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.).
• Global Reach: Apple Books is in over 50 countries. It gives your books a vast audience.
• Royalties: Authors get 70% royalties on eBook sales. That’s standard on most platforms.
• User-Friendly: Apple’s platform for authors is easy to use. Uploading a book is simple.

Considerations:

• Less Traffic: Apple Books may have less traffic than Amazon. So, you may need to work harder to market your book.
• Format Restrictions: Apple requires eBooks to use the EPUB format.

Smashwords

Best for: eBooks.

Overview: Smashwords is an aggregator. It lets authors distribute eBooks to many online stores, like Apple Books, and Kobo. Smashwords also offers an online store where authors can sell their eBooks directly.

Why It’s Great:

• Wide Distribution: Smashwords distributes to 25 major retailers. It lets you reach a wide audience.
• Royalties: Authors can earn up to 80% on sales through Smashwords’ store, and 60% for books sold.
• No Fees: Smashwords doesn’t charge fees to publish your book, and you keep the majority of your royalties.
• Marketing Tools: Smashwords has tools to promote authors, like coupons and sales. They help boost visibility.

Considerations:

• Formatting: Smashwords has a strict formatting process that authors must follow. Failure to meet their guidelines can result in delays or rejections.
• Less Control: Smashwords limits your control over pricing and promotions. Direct platforms like Amazon offer more control.

Kobo Writing Life

Best for: eBooks.

Overview: Kobo Writing Life is a great platform for authors. It helps them sell eBooks in global markets. Kobo is strong in Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia. It offers authors a chance to reach readers who may not use Amazon.

Why It’s Great:

• Global Reach: Kobo is in over 190 countries. It is ideal for authors targeting international readers.
• Royalties: Authors can earn up to 70% on eBook sales, with flexible pricing.
• Marketing Tools: Kobo Writing Life has many promotional tools. These include price promotions and featured listings.
• Easy to Use: The platform is easy to navigate. It provides detailed sales performance analytics.

Considerations:

• Less Popular in the U.S.: While Kobo has a global presence, it’s less popular in the United States compared to Amazon.
• Limited Print Options: Kobo Writing Life doesn’t do print-on-demand. So, you’ll need another platform, like IngramSpark, for physical book sales.

IngramSpark

Best for: Print books and eBooks.

Overview: IngramSpark is a strong platform for authors and indie publishers. It helps them sell eBooks and print books. It has global distribution and high-quality print-on-demand services. So, it’s a popular choice for authors who want to reach bookstores and libraries.

Why It’s Great:

• Global Distribution: IngramSpark distributes to many retailers, libraries, and indie bookstores worldwide.
• IngramSpark’s Print-on-Demand lets authors print books in various formats, from paperbacks to hardcovers. They can print as needed, with no upfront costs.
• Professional Quality: IngramSpark offers top-notch printing and binding. It’s ideal for authors who want their books to look and feel like published titles.
• Flexible Pricing: Authors can set their own prices and retain control over royalties.

Considerations:

• Setup Fees: IngramSpark charges setup fees for print and eBook distribution. Unlike KDP and other platforms, they do.
• Complexity: The platform can be harder to navigate than simpler ones, like Amazon KDP.

Conclusion: Best Site to Sell Books Online

Selling books online lets authors and self-publishers reach a vast audience. It’s a great opportunity with a low upfront cost. Each platform has unique strengths. The best one for you depends on your goals and the type of book you’re selling. Choose Amazon KDP for its audience, Smashwords for distribution, or IngramSpark for print books. These platforms can help. They provide authors with tools to succeed in online book sales. With the right strategy and commitment, you can start earning from your books today.