RM MARKETING SERVICES
  • Home
  • Ideas for Publishers
  • Blog
  • About us
  • Contact us

SELLING YOUR BOOKS ONLINE: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE FOR AUTHORS

3/9/2024

0 Comments

 
Picture

For all authors, selling your books online can be an exciting but daunting endeavour. Whether you’re launching your first book or expanding your sales channels, understanding the basics of e-commerce is essential. This article will walk you through the key considerations, common pitfalls, and some affordable e-commerce solutions available in Australia, helping you navigate the world of online book sales with confidence.

Why Sell Your Books Online? Selling your books online offers several advantages:
  • Direct Revenue: When you sell through your website, you bypass traditional bookstores and distributors, allowing you to retain a larger share of the profits. There are no hefty discounts to retailers or wholesalers, and you set your price and special offers.
  • Control Over Branding: You have complete control over how your book is presented, from the imagery and descriptions to promotional offers. This ensures that your brand remains consistent across all platforms.
  • Direct Connection with Readers: Selling online lets you build a direct relationship with your readers, fostering loyalty and potentially increasing future sales.
However, with these advantages come certain responsibilities and challenges that you’ll need to navigate.

Choosing the Right E-Commerce Platform
We can’t begin to tell you how many authors have come to us with ridiculous quotes for website development. We can set up a website - with or without ecommerce options - for a fraction of the price using numerous e-commerce platforms that are popular and affordable.

We encourage you to do your research and compare what will work best for you in terms of functionality, templates (design) and pricing. Here are some options to get you started on your e-commerce journey:

  • Squarespace is a popular all-in-one website builder that offers robust e-commerce features, making it an excellent option for indie authors looking to sell their books online. We use Squarespace a lot! Their basic commerce option is AUD 34 a month but there are cheaper options.
    Check it out: https://www.squarespace.com/websites-start/
  • Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform known for its ease of use and extensive features. It offers various pricing plans, starting at AUD 42 per month, making it a solid choice for beginners. Shopify also integrates with various payment gateways, including Afterpay, which is popular in Australia.
    Learn more https://www.shopify.com/au
  • Square Online: We use Square purely as a credit card processing facility but Square Online https://squareup.com/au/en/online-store is another budget-friendly option that offers a free plan with basic features. It’s particularly well-suited for authors looking to integrate in-person sales (such as at schools or libraries) with online sales. Square Online is a popular choice for many online sellers because it’s easy to use and free to get started however it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll still have to pay for payment processing on each transaction. You can read a review on Forbes
  • Big Cartel: We came across an alternative that may work for authors with a small catalogue. Big Cartel offers a free plan that allows you to list up to five products, with paid plans starting at USD 15 per month. It’s simple and straightforward, though it lacks some of the advanced features of more expensive platforms. https://www.bigcartel.com/product/pricing

Each platform has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose one that matches your needs and budget. And don't be afraid to ask other authors what they like - or don't like - about the platform they use.

Packaging and Postage Considerations
Selling online means you’re responsible for packaging and shipping your books. This can be more complex and costly than many new authors realise.
  • Postage Costs: Sending a book from one state in Australia to another can vary depending on the size and weight of the package. As of 2024, Australia Post’s standard parcel rates range from around AUD 9.70 for small parcels (under 500g) to AUD 15.70 for parcels up to 2kg. For express shipping, expect to pay more. Offering free or flat-rate shipping can attract customers but may eat into your profits, so it’s crucial to price your books accordingly.
  • Packaging Costs: Good quality packaging protects your books during transit and creates a professional impression. Expect to pay between AUD 1 to AUD 2 per unit for basic bubble mailers or cardboard mailers. Custom packaging can cost more but may be worth the investment if it enhances your brand.

Managing Customer Expectations
Running an online store means you’ll be responsible for customer service. Responding to inquiries, processing orders, and handling returns can be time-consuming. Also e-commerce sites operate 24/7 - how are you going to process orders when you are on holidays? A little something to think about...

To ensure a smooth experience:
  • Set Clear Delivery Expectations: Make sure your website clearly states delivery times, especially if you’re shipping from a remote location. This helps manage customer expectations and reduces the risk of negative reviews.
  • Automate Where Possible: Many e-commerce platforms offer automation tools to help manage orders and send out delivery notifications. Use these features to save time and reduce errors. Make the most of the Australia Post app for example to share advance shipping notices - and updates - to your customers.
  • Provide Excellent Customer Service: Promptly responding to customer inquiries is vital. Delays in answering questions can lead to lost sales, so consider setting up an FAQ section on your website to address common queries.

A few more things to consider:
  • Look for a platform with integrated marketing tools. Squarespace, for example, comes with a range of built-in marketing tools that can help you promote your books:
    • Email Campaigns: You can create and send email newsletters directly from Squarespace. This feature allows you to keep your readers updated on new releases, events, book signings, awards, or special promotions.
    • SEO Optimisation: Squarespace is designed with search engine optimisation (SEO) in mind. You can easily edit meta tags, descriptions, and URLs to ensure your site ranks well on search engines like Google. This is crucial for attracting organic traffic to your site.
    • Social Media Integration: Squarespace allows you to connect your website with your social media accounts, making it easy to share content and drive traffic to your store. X APIs have been problematic in some platforms since Elon took over but other integrations usually function quite well.
    • Analytics and Reporting are important - you need to understand how your website is performing is key to growing your online sales. Your platform should provide detailed analytics that show you where your visitors are coming from, what pages they’re viewing, and how they’re interacting with your content. You can track sales, monitor inventory levels, and gain insights into your audience’s behaviour, which can inform your marketing strategies.

Final Thoughts
Selling your books online is a rewarding venture that offers the potential for increased revenue and closer connections with your readers. However, it’s important to approach it with a clear understanding of the associated costs and responsibilities. By choosing the right e-commerce platform, planning for packaging and postage, and being prepared to manage customer expectations, you can create a successful online sales channel that complements your publishing efforts.

Remember, selling online is not just about putting your book up for sale; it’s about providing a seamless and positive experience for your readers. With careful planning and a bit of effort, you can turn your online store into a thriving part of your author business.

Good luck!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Rachael McDiarmid has been in the Australasian book trade since 1990. Working in trade, academic and professional publishing as well as library supply and book distribution, she's worked with thousands of publishers, distributors, library vendors, and authors around the globe. She loves a belly laugh, strong coffee, wine, and good food. Venice is her favourite place in the world to visit but Sydney will always be home. She loves her office assistant Dash (also known as Dashie, Dashie Dog and the Little Shit). If you haven't already worked it out, she is known for her no bullshit approach. 

    Archives

    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    October 2023
    June 2023
    August 2022
    April 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    October 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    April 2014

    Categories

    All
    Academic Libraries
    Academic Library Supply
    Adobe
    Adobe Creative Cloud
    AI
    Artificial Intelligence
    Australian Book Industry
    Australian Distribution
    Australian Gin
    Australian Publishing Industry
    Author
    Author Care
    Author Tips
    B2L
    Badges
    Balanced Curve
    Ben Randall
    Bibliographic Data
    Book
    Book2Look
    Book Industry
    Book Marketing
    Book Promotion
    Book Review
    Booksellers
    Books + Publishing
    Business Books
    Campaign Management
    Case Study
    ChatGPT
    Client
    Coaching
    Coaching Services
    Communication Skills
    Conflict Management
    Consult
    Consulting Services
    Content Acquisition
    David Box
    Design
    Designer
    Digital Content
    Digital Marketing
    Direct Marketing
    Distribution
    EBL
    Ebooks
    Ebrary
    Editing
    Endorsements
    Etextbooks
    Every Stranger's Eyes
    Flyers
    Google
    Graphic Designer
    How To Market Books
    Independent Publishing
    Indie Authors
    Indie Publishing
    Internet
    Introduction
    Inventory
    Libraries
    Library Supply
    LinkedIn
    Local Publishing
    Major Street Publishing
    Marketing
    Marketing Solutions
    Market Research
    Mark Rosenberg
    Mastering Hard Conversations
    Mediation
    Micro Publishers
    My Identifiers
    MyiLibrary
    New Book Information
    Nielsen
    Online Marketing
    Online Marketing For Busy Authors
    Operations
    OTJ
    Outsourcing
    Outsourcing Solutions
    Photoshop
    Portfolio
    Posters
    Project Management
    Promotional Material
    Promotions
    Proofreading
    Proquest
    Publicity
    Publisher Relations
    Publishing
    Publishing Industry
    Rachael McDiarmid
    Recommendations
    Review
    RM Marketing Services
    Sales
    Sales Material
    Self Promotion
    Self-Promotion Without Social Media
    Sisters For Sale
    Small Press
    Social Media
    Social Media Strategy
    Special Accounts
    Supplier
    Supply Chain
    Thorpe-Bowker
    Time Management
    Tips And Tricks
    Training
    Website Management
    Wholesaler
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Highlights

"Rachael is, quite simply, a book industry genius."

— Franscois McHardy, Former Managing Director, Simon & Schuster Australia

"I thoroughly recommend her for her insights and intelligent analysis."

— Terri-Ann White, Director, Upsell Publishing & Former Director, UWA Publishing

"I can thoroughly recommend RM Marketing Services and their range of services, from campaign execution to strategic consultancy."

— Eleanor Pike, Global Marketing Director, McGraw Hill 

for more recommendations please go to LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Ideas for Publishers
  • Blog
  • About us
  • Contact us