What began with devices has now turned to software.
Digital magazine publishing software is evolving to focus on a better user experience. In turn, online publishers are partnering with platforms that afford more freedoms to their users.
Can you know your digital audience better?
The Financial Times didn’t want to continue its relationship with Apple because they weren’t receiving pertinent information about audience demographics. The 30% finder’s fee may have also had some weight, but overall, a smart digital publisher wants to know its digital audience.
In a possible attempt to create even greater understanding of its audience, FT recently announced a partnership with Flipboard. Users of Flipboard are able to utilize social networks to create their own magazines filled with content of their choosing. What better way can a magazine engage with their audience while broadening digital reach?
E-commerce takes a step forward
Time Inc.’s digital edition of All You brings new m-commerce shopping opportunities to the iPad and Kindle. The idea to add m-commerce capabilities directly in digital editions comes from joint research showing that a majority of subscribers were already using smartphones to find product deals. The logical step forward involved empowering the subscribers to learn more about products they have interest in purchasing.
The new shoppable function comes in partnership with ShopAdvisor and allows users to tap a “shop now” button on products of interest. The app then tells the user where the product is on sale and provides a direct link to buy. Users can also tag an item and watch for price drops. If price drops do occur, the user is notified by email.
Many apps need more engaging elements (especially engaging elements of free apps). Will these m-commerce capabilities become the desired app design for product-heavy digital publishers? Share your thoughts with the community.
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The goal of standardizing digital magazine metrics
MPA, the Association of Magazine Media, is an organization we’ve reported on frequently throughout the years. Last spring MPA began its quest to standardize digital magazine metrics by creating a list of voluntary guidelines, including: total paid consumer digital issues, total number of tablet readers, total number of sessions, total time spent per reader and average number of sessions per reader.
These guideline metrics will now be easier to track as MPA announced new software created with the help of companies like Google, Zinio, Adobe and CDS Global. The digital magazine publishing software is expected to be available by the end of August.
New! Digital magazine launches
Some people are still starting print magazines, others have put the finishing touches on digital editions. Esquire is one magazine now offering a weekly digital edition on the iPad. The new addition to the digital world is free for print subscribers. Non-subscribers can purchase a single edition for $0.99.
Are you using a laptop with a touch screen yet?
A significant trend is developing in the laptop market. According to HIS, 25% of all laptops shipped throughout the world will have a touch screen by 2016. Intel and Google are already in the market with laptops containing touch screens – who will be next?
The iPad originally saved the publishing industry… what will continue its success?
We’ve seen growth in the tablet market, and now the digital magazine publishing software market is evolving too. This change is spurring digital magazines to make significant changes all their own.
The evolution of digital magazine publishing software, for both publishers and consumers, will be a major factor in the success of digital publishing.
We’re already seeing significant growth of tablet use in our studies. As rapid market penetration continues, we expect 65% of adult US Internet users to prefer digital magazines to print magazines by 2020.
As capabilities and audiences grow, we find ourselves in a great place for the sharing of content.
I like that part: “a smart digital publisher wants to know its digital audience”. Totally agree. Running a digital magazine is sometimes very similar to running a SaaS business. Publishers have to be focused on metrics, traffic etc. and adjust accordingly every single iteration.