Digital magazines / catalogs are a bad idea
September 4th, 2008A friend recently asked my opinion on building an online version of her company’s print magazine - a virtual “flip book” or “e-magazine” that would look just like the print version. Of course I told her it was a bad idea for all these reasons:
- People read magazines because they sometimes prefer a more portable, tactile experience than what is available online. At other times people prefer the online experience because it’s fast, interactive, and ultra current. Trying to bring one experience to the other medium is a losing battle - and don’t think folks haven’t tried to go the other way as well. Anyone remember Business 2.0 magazine? Shortly after they redesigned the print edition to look more like a web 2.0 site the magazine folded.
- Most online magazine / catalog implementations are simply scans of printed pages meaning rich text content is locked away from search engines in big image files. Without search engines reading your content it’s unlikely anyone else will ever find it.
- Some digital magazine / catalog implementations require a browser plug-in just to view them meaning you’ll be limiting your audience right away. A PDF version is probably the most innocuous (though still annoying) but we’ve even seen some e-magazines that require a special browser plug-in that no one has ever heard of. Internet browsers weren’t meant to act as magazine readers - though perhaps the Kindle will one day fulfill that need. Until then, build the online version of your magazine using web standards.
- The most successful print publications that have added digital distribution (NY Times, Wired) are good examples of what an online magazine should look like. For digital catalogs just consider this - what is an e-commerce site other than an interactive, digital catalog? Check out Amazon.com just to get an idea of the possiblities!
In 2008 the whole idea of a digitized version of a print magazine or catalog is pretty laughable. The internet is here to stay and the existing base of web standards is amazingly flexible for doing pretty much anything you can imagine. Don’t waste time making a literal translation of your offline publication for the web - embrace the medium and watch your business grow!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:42 am
“Most online magazine / catalog implementations are simply scans of printed pages meaning rich text content is locked away from search engines in big image files. Without search engines reading your content it’s unlikely anyone else will ever find it.”
This may be of an older technology, definitely our current solution (http://www.flipviewer.com) is able to search text, no unknown plugin, and ready to embrace the web with a more user friendly platform as compare to a PDF delivery. Definitely, hope that you can allow us to have a chance to share with your friend. Cheers!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Interesting product. It does appear many of the earlier limitations of online flip books have been resolved but my first (and main) objection still exists: flip books don’t provide a web-like experience. Because of this they rarely connect with users the same way a printed magazine or normal web page does.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Wow!
I have to say my experience of digital magazines is a far cry from what has been described above. Technology has definitely moved on, and I guest it will only get better. I use a website called magazinesondemand.co.uk.
- I have the portability as I can store all my magazines onto my USB and read them on any computer buy simply downloading their free software. I can also send my free copy to a friend!
- They have all of the top brands of magazines available on there website, as well as some really niche titles that you can’t find everywhere, which is really convenient. For example I love sailing, but I can’t get sailing magazines from my local shop, I have to order them. Now I subscribe online, and get my magazines instantly.
- All of the magazines are high definition and just the same as the print versions. The only downfall is that you can not always get the free covermounts. But this is changing.
I brought a magazine the other day that had music, video interviews, interactive ad’s etc. This really added to my experience as this can not be created through print. I guest it depends on the different publishers, some are more digitally minded then others.
- I can also store all my magazines in a library where I can search for terms. Because of this I can navigate very quickly through all my magazines to find past article. AndI have a lot! My wife is happy because its less clutter around the house
They list is endless!
I suggest you check it out for yourself. I know Magazines on demand are offering a free download of you choice to new members. At least this way if you really don’t like digital magazines you haven’t lost any money. Or you can join the online revolution