How to Choose Where to Sell Your Ebooks Online

Sometimes, being on the hunt for where to sell your ebooks can be overwhelming. Every day, a new solution comes onto the scene claiming to offer authors the moon and the stars. But does it really deliver what you need? To answer that question, you need to consider which tool or platform will help you make the most out of your ebook sales, not just in terms of royalties and fees, but also visibility and marketing.

The best place to sell your ebook depends entirely on your goals as an author. This guide simplifies this decision for you by aligning your priorities, such as creating engaging content or reaching a huge global audience, with the most suitable platforms. Once you define your main goals, you’ll be able to confidently select the perfect platform to share your work with the world.

How to Determine Your Primary Publishing Goals

Before going out to find the right platform, take a moment to identify what matters most for your ebook’s success. This should be your primary goal, which will serve as your compass, guiding you toward the platforms that best align with your vision. 

Ask yourself these key questions:

• What type of content am I creating? Are you writing a standard novel, an educational textbook with interactive elements, or specialized content requiring specific formats or protections?
• Who is my target audience? Are they casual readers, genre-specific fans, students, educators, or professionals? Do they prefer reading on phones, tablets, or dedicated ereaders? Understanding their habits can help you identify which publishing platforms they’re most likely to use.
• What’s my business model? Do you want to maximize royalties, build a direct relationship with readers, or achieve the widest possible distribution?
• How much control do I want? Are you comfortable with platform exclusivity requirements, or do you need complete freedom to distribute your ebook wherever you like?
• How do I want to manage distribution? Would you prefer using an all-in-one distributor that sends your ebook to multiple stores from one dashboard, or do you want the control of managing each store (Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, your website) separately?

Once you’ve identified what matters most for your ebook, the next step is choosing the publishing goal that fits you best. Each goal comes with its own ideal platform(s) and advantages.

Primary Goal 1: Selling Interactive Ebooks

Selling interactive ebooks requires a platform capable of handling multimedia, responsive elements, and on-page engagement. Because only a few platforms support this level of interactivity, authors often rely on dedicated solutions built specifically for this type of ebooks. One of the most reliable options in this space is Kotobee Books.

Kotobee Books

While interactive ebooks offer a unique way to engage readers, finding a platform that supports selling them isn’t always easy. And that’s where Kotobee Books comes in; it lets you publish your ebook in just three easy steps, after which it goes live in seconds. Best of all, it’s completely free to publish, and you get to keep 100% of the royalties from every sale. There are no hidden fees, and you maintain full control over your content and copyrights.

What makes Kotobee Books special is its connection to Kotobee Author, an award-winning tool which lets you create ebooks that go beyond plain text. Using this software, you can easily add interactive elements to your ebook, such as quizzes, videos, pop-ups, 3D models, mini games, and much more.

Primary Goal 2: Appear in Major Book Marketplaces

If your goal is to make your ebook available in major online bookstores, then publishing on global marketplaces is the way forward. These platforms give you access to millions of potential readers and position your book where they already shop.

1. Amazon KDP

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is the world’s largest ebook marketplace. It gives authors direct access to millions of readers. While it’s free to use and offers massive reach, standing out in such a competitive space requires a smart strategy.

Publishing on KDP is completely free with no upfront costs or monthly fees. You simply upload your manuscript in formats like DOC, DOCX, or EPUB, and Amazon handles the rest. Amazon converts your file into Kindle ebook formats and makes it available across its global marketplace almost immediately.

KDP provides advertising tools to help promote your work, and it offers two main royalty structures:

• 70% royalty for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (in eligible countries).
• 35% royalty for ebooks priced outside this range or in regions not eligible for the higher rate.

For authors wanting maximum exposure, they can choose KDP Select, which offers additional promotional benefits. They can enjoy inclusion in Kindle Unlimited (Amazon’s subscription service), access to Countdown Deals and free promotion periods, and overall increased visibility within the Kindle store. However, this comes with a downside since enrolling in KDP Select means agreeing to keep your ebook exclusive to Amazon for 90 days and not sell it digitally on any other platform.

2. Apple Books

Apple Books is the ideal platform for authors who want to reach the extensive and dedicated user base within the Apple ecosystem. It offers a simplified publishing process and a consistent 70% royalty rate, making it a top choice for wide distribution.

Publishing on Apple Books is completely free with no upfront costs or hidden fees. There are no limitations on offering free books to customers, which is great for promotions.

As one of the largest ebook retailers worldwide, Apple Books makes your ebook available to millions of readers using iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The platform does not require exclusivity, so you are free to sell your ebook on other platforms simultaneously.

The publishing process on Apple Books is straightforward. It primarily supports the EPUB format, and all you need to get started is a free Apple ID and access to your Apple Books publisher account through iTunes Connect. 

Once your ebook is published, you can track next-day sales reports to monitor performance. You’ll also find helpful marketing tools, including promo codes for giveaways and the option to submit your book for editorial consideration on the storefront.

3. Kobo Writing Life

Kobo Writing Life is the self-publishing platform for Rakuten Kobo, one of the world’s largest ebook retailers. It’s particularly strong in international markets like Canada, Europe, and Australia, making it an essential platform for authors who want to build a global readership.

Publishing on Kobo is completely free with no upfront costs. The platform supports a wide range of file formats, including EPUB, DOC/DOCX, and MOBI. Once published, your book becomes available through Kobo’s own global retail network and partner stores in over 190 countries. 

Kobo offers a clear royalty model similar to other major platforms:

• 70% royalty for ebooks priced at $2.99 or higher.
• 45% royalty for ebooks priced below $2.99.

The platform pays royalties monthly and sends payments directly to your bank account.

A key advantage of Kobo Writing Life is that it never requires exclusivity. You’re free to publish elsewhere while taking advantage of Kobo’s additional distribution channels, which include:

• Kobo Plus: Opt into this subscription service to earn royalties based on pages read.
• OverDrive: Distribute your ebooks to public libraries worldwide.
• Global Retail Partnerships: Reach readers through partner bookstores internationally, such as Walmart, FNAC, and Indigo.

Primary Goal 3: Seek Direct Sales Channels

If your main goal is to sell your ebook directly to readers without going through any marketplaces, direct sales channels are the way to go. They let you connect personally with your audience, manage transactions on your terms, and maintain full control over pricing, delivery, and customer experience.

1. Payhip

Payhip is your all-in-one solution for building a professional ebook storefront in minutes. It’s designed specifically for authors who want to sell directly to their readers while keeping the process simple and under their control.

Just upload your ebook as a PDF, an EPUB, or a MOBI file, and Payhip handles the rest. It isn’t only easy for the author to publish, but the platform also provides a secure, instant checkout experience for your readers. The moment they purchase, they’re automatically directed to their download link, and you get paid directly to your Stripe or PayPal account. 

On top of that, Payhip comes packed with marketing features to help you reach more readers, such as:

• Affiliate programs so others can promote your ebook and earn a commission.
• Discount codes for promotions with expiry dates, and control over how they’re used.
• Pay-what-you-want pricing (with optional minimum price).
• Embeddable “Buy Now” buttons or full store embeds, allowing you to add Payhip checkout or your entire storefront directly onto your website or blog.

You can start with the Free Forever plan (includes a 5% transaction fee), upgrade to Plus ($29/month) to reduce fees to 2%, or go Pro ($99/month) to eliminate transaction fees. All plans support unlimited ebooks and sales. 

2. Sellfy

Sellfy is a comprehensive platform that lets you create a customized online store to sell your ebooks and other digital products. It’s designed for creators who want a straightforward way to start selling without dealing with technical complexities.

You can build a professional storefront quickly with a drag-and-drop editor, no coding needed. After uploading your ebooks, Sellfy automates the whole sales process; it offers secure checkout, accepts Stripe and PayPal payments, and instantly delivers the download link to your customers.

You can maximize your revenue with a suite of integrated marketing features. For instance, you can:

• Communicate directly with your customers and send promotional campaigns through email marketing.
• Join affiliate programs so others can promote your ebook and earn a commission (available in higher plans).
• Recover potential lost sales by sending emails to those who left your ebook store without purchasing (available in higher plans).
• Run promotions with discount codes or even set up “pay-what-you-want” pricing with an optional minimum amount.

Sellfy Plans start at $29/month to access essential tools, upgrade to $79/month for advanced sales features like cart recovery and affiliate programs, or choose the $159/month premium plan for priority support. All plans include a 14-day free trial, and there are no transaction fees, so you only pay the standard payment processing fees from your payment provider (such as Stripe or PayPal). 

3. Podia

Podia is designed for creators who want to run their entire online business (including their website, online store, and email marketing) from a single, integrated dashboard. It’s built to help you sell not just ebooks, but also online courses, digital downloads, coaching sessions, and memberships without needing multiple disconnected tools.. On top of that,  a 30-day free trial is available to test all of its features.

Podia helps you maximize revenue with features integrated directly into your store. It allows you to:

• Leverage affiliate programs so others can promote your ebook to earn a commission. You can also set custom commissions and manage payouts directly within Podia.
• Use upsells, coupons, and payment plans at the checkout process to boost sales. 
• Enjoy a free email marketing platform for up to 100 subscribers, complete with automations, segmentation, and analytics to help you communicate directly with your audience.

Podia offers two simple pricing plans: The Mover plan, ideal for beginners, is $39/month with a 5% transaction fee and includes a website, store, and email marketing. The Shaker plan, for growing businesses, is $89/month with 0% transaction fees and adds affiliate marketing and PayPal integration. Both include a 30-day free trial.

4. E-junkie

E-junkie is a simple, no-fuss platform designed for authors who want to add Buy Now or Add to Cart buttons to an existing website without building a full online store. It focuses on doing one thing well: handling the transaction and secure delivery of your digital products through affordable monthly plans.

You can connect your preferred payment processor (such as PayPal or Stripe), upload your ebook, and then copy-paste a button or cart code directly into your website or blog. Once a reader purchases, E-junkie delivers the download instantly and tracks all orders through your dashboard.

Here are a few key Features it offers ebook authors:

• PDF stamping, which automatically adds the buyer’s name, email, and transaction ID to the PDF to discourage unauthorized sharing
• An affiliate program to let others promote your ebook for a commission.
• Discount codes and pay-what-you-want pricing with optional minimums.

This platform offers straightforward pricing starting at $5/month for 10 products, scaling up to $40/month for unlimited products. There are no transaction fees on top of your plan cost; you only pay the standard processing fees charged by your payment provider (like PayPal or Stripe). All plans include unlimited sales and downloads, with a 14-day free trial to test the service.

Primary Goal 4: Distribute Across Multiple Platforms

If your goal is to reach readers across multiple ebook stores without managing each platform individually, book aggregators can simplify the process. These services distribute your ebook to a wide range of marketplaces, helping you maximize visibility and sales while saving time and effort.

1. Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital (D2D) is a publishing aggregator that simplifies the process of distributing your ebook and print book to a wide network of online retailers and libraries through a single, easy-to-use dashboard. It’s the perfect tool for authors who want to publish to a wide audience without the hassle of managing dozens of individual accounts.

Just upload your manuscript once to D2D for distribution to major stores (e.g., Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo) and library services (e.g., OverDrive & Bibliotheca). You then get to keep full control, selecting which stores you want your ebook to be available in. The service is free, with no upfront costs for formatting or distribution.

It provides valuable free tools to help you market your work. You can:

• Create a single, clean link that directs readers to your book on all major sales platforms.
• Add “Also by This Author” section to your ebook page, which automatically updates whenever you publish a new book.

D2D operates on a clear commission model. They take 10% of your book’s retail price for each sale. For example, if a retailer takes a 30% cut and D2D takes 10%, you keep the remaining 60% of the list price. 

2. PublishDrive

PublishDrive simplifies worldwide book distribution. With a single upload, your book can be distributed to 50+ online stores and over 240,000 libraries across more than 100 countries. This network includes major retailers like Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play, as well as niche channels and hard-to-reach markets. The platform is non-exclusive, so you are free to publish elsewhere simultaneously.

It provides a suite of tools to support your publishing business. Using this platform, you can:

• Optimize your book’s metadata, including titles, blurbs, and keywords, to improve discoverability.
• Keep track of your earnings and automatically split payments with co-authors or contributors.
• Run price promotions, manage Amazon ads, and share review copies directly from the platform.
• Use their free tool to convert DOCX files into high-quality EPUB ebooks.

Unlike aggregators that take a commission, PublishDrive operates on a flat-rate subscription fee. This means you pay a monthly fee to use the platform but keep 100% of the net royalties you earn from sales. This model can be more cost-effective for authors with strong sales volumes.

Plans start with a free tier for one ebook and scale up to paid plans (from $13.99/month), which increase the number of books you can publish and unlock advanced features like marketing tools and priority support. All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Primary Goal 5: Build Your Own Branded Ebook Library

Suppose your publishing needs include showcasing your entire catalog in a branded, central location or having full control over who can access your content. In that case, building your own digital library becomes the strongest option..

Kotobee Library

This platform provides authors with a professional way to showcase and manage their entire ebook catalog in one centralized, branded library. It is intuitive and easy to use, and it supports regular ebooks, interactive ones, and even audiobooks. Readers can browse your collection and access their content through a clean, unified interface, while you maintain full control over permissions, security, and distribution.

With Kotobee Library, you can:

• Protect your content from unauthorized sharing with full DRM by defining user permissions, limiting device usage, or restricting content to particular audiences.
• Design your library to match your brand by choosing your color scheme, logo, startup page, and even the reading interface.
• Allow users’ notes, highlights, and reading progress to be synced across devices, while you manage everything from a central admin panel.
• Sell your content through PayPal or Stripe, or integrate with platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify; all payments go directly to you
• Export your library as a web portal, mobile app, or desktop app
• Allow any updates or edits to your ebooks to sync instantly.
• Track reader behavior, engagement, and usage metrics through built-in dashboards.

After a 30-day free trial, Kotobee Library offers tiered plans based on the size of your library and the number of users. For example, the Starter Plan for up to 10 ebooks and 1,000 users costs $100/month, and larger plans scale up from there.

Conclusion

Finding the right answer for where to sell ebooks is really about understanding what matters most for your author journey. Whether you’re looking to reach the widest possible audience through major retailers, create interactive reading experiences, build your own branded storefront, or distribute widely across multiple platforms, your perfect match is waiting.

Many successful authors use a combination of platforms, often starting with one primary channel, and expanding as they grow. The key is to begin with the platform that best serves your most important goal right now. 

Your ebooks deserve the perfect home, and with these insights, you’re equipped to make that confident choice and start sharing your work with readers.