What Is a Webbook and How to Create One

By Kotobee
on Mar 19, 2025
in Interactive Ebooks

Last update: March 19th, 2025
at 3:29 pm

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Books come in all shapes and sizes. Not only can they be print, digital, or audio, but even digital ones can be presented in different formats. The most well-known is the PDF format, which can be easily downloaded and viewed on different devices. There is also the EPUB format, which supports interactive elements and adjusts to screen size.

But that’s not all! Now, there’s another exciting option: the webbook.

Webbooks are digital books that are hosted online and can be viewed on any browser. With unique features that set them apart, they are an excellent choice for writers, educators, and businesses looking to create easily accessible and engaging content.

So, without further ado, let’s explore what webbooks are, why you should consider creating them, and how to do so.

What Is a Webbook?

A webbook is a digital book designed to be read directly on a web browser, eliminating the need for any downloads or special reading apps. Unlike traditional ebook formats (such as PDFs or EPUB files), webbooks are hosted online and can be accessed via a URL, which makes them instantly available on any device with an internet connection.

Just like any other book, webbooks usually have a book cover, table of contents, and all the essential elements of traditional books. They can also include interactive elements such as quizzes, animations, videos, and note-taking tools. All these features make webbooks a powerful solution for creating engaging content across various fields, from education and publishing to corporate training and marketing.

If you would like to see webbooks in action, check out the following samples:

Why Should You Create a Webbook?

When thinking about digital books, webbooks might not be the first format that comes to mind. But they should be! Webbooks offer several unique advantages that make them a great choice for digital publishing, including:

Instant accessibility: Unlike PDFs and EPUBs, webbooks don’t need any special software to be read. All you need to access them is a device with an internet connection and a web browser.
Easily updatable: Most webbooks allow you to make changes to your content in real time even after you publish it. This way, you won’t need to republish or ask your readers to re-download your book.
Engaging interactivity: Not all formats of ebooks can be interactive; luckily, webbooks can include a variety of interactive features that are sure to make for an engaging reading experience.
Search engine optimization: Another perk of webbooks is that they can be indexed on search engines. This can help improve their discoverability and make it easier for your audience to find them online.
Analytics and user insights: Did you know that, by using webbooks, you can track how your readers interact with your book? That’s right; this type of ebook allows you to measure how your audience interacts with your content.
DRM and security: Creating a webbook with certain hosting platforms, such as Kotobee Cloud, allows you to add a layer of protection to your content. This means that no one will be able to access your ebook without your permission, hence reducing the risk of copyright infringement.
Monetization options: While you can sell different formats of ebooks, webbooks allow you to sell your content directly on your website. Not only will this help you avoid platform fees from marketplaces like Amazon, but it’ll also give you full control over pricing, access, and distribution.
Branding and customization: With webbooks, you can easily incorporate your brand colors, logo, and themes. This makes them a great solution for businesses creating training materials or branded content.

a man reading a webbook on a tablet — Image from Depositphotos

Webbooks vs PDFs: What Is the Difference?

To better understand the perks that webbooks offer, let’s compare them to the most well-known ebook format: the PDF. This latter type has been a standard for digital documents, but webbooks, on the other hand, introduce a different approach with their own set of advantages. The table below highlights the key differences between the two.

Feature	Webbooks	PDFs
Accessibility	Read instantly on a web browser; no downloads or special apps needed.	Must be downloaded and opened with a PDF reader.
Interactivity	Supports all types of interactive features, including videos, quizzes, animations, and note-taking.	Mostly static; supports hyperlinks and limited embedded media.
Updates & Revisions	Can be updated in real time without requiring re-downloads.	Users need to download a new version for updates.
Search Engine Visibility	Can be indexed by search engines, making its content discoverable.	Not indexed (unless specifically optimized and hosted online).
Offline Access	Requires an internet connection (unless cached).	Can be accessed offline once downloaded.
Security & DRM	Offers access control, password protection, and DRM.	Can be password-protected, but easily shared once downloaded.
User Analytics	Tracks reader engagement, time spent, and interactions.	No built-in analytics or tracking.
Layout	Supports reflowable layouts for a better reading experience on different screen sizes.	The content is displayed in a fixed layout and does not adjust to different screen sizes.
Best For	Interactive content, education, training, and web-based reading material.	Print-friendly documents, reports, and offline reading material.

How to Make a WebBook

Here comes the exciting part–creating an interactive webbook that your audience will love. For the sake of this article, we’ll be using Kotobee Author for the job. This award-winning software facilitates the webbook creation process and helps you incorporate as many engaging features as you like. So start by downloading the program, then follow the below steps:

Open Kotobee Author and select the layout and template of your choice.

Add your webbook content to the editor or import it from existing files.

Format the content of your webbook, including the headings, paragraphs, table of contents, and any other multimedia elements.

Include interactive features to make your ebook more engaging. Depending on your content, you can select from a wide range of ebook apps and widgets.

kotobee author interface adding interactive features

After ensuring everything in your webbook is just the way you like, click on the Export tab on the top panel and select Export Web App.

Kotobee Author interface creating webbook

Click Create, and you’ll have a webbook file ready to be embedded into your own website. Alternatively, you can choose to host it on Kotobee Cloud with a customized URL.

Conclusion

Webbooks open up a world of possibilities for digital publishing, offering flexibility, interactivity, and ease of access that traditional book formats simply can’t match. Whether you’re an educator looking to create engaging learning materials, an author seeking a dynamic way to share your story, or a business aiming to deliver interactive content, this type of ebook can provide you with an innovative solution. And with tools like Kotobee Author, creating your own webbook is both simple and rewarding. So, start now and take the next step to bring your content to life online.