Though e-editions of novels looked as though they were starting to dip, they are suddenly rebounding.

The ebook market had been going through a period in which its future was not entirely certain as both the growth of downloads and the purchase of dedicated e-readers had looked as though they were slowing, but these digital editions appear to be rebounding to the point that many authors feel that ebooks have become a required format.

The concept of an ebook had been a tough sell for some time, but it seems that it has now gained mainstream acceptance.

According to Julie B. Campbell, co-author of the popular Perspective book series, ebook editions are no longer a luxury. They’re an expectation from readers. “It used to be that the initial launch of a novel involved the release of a hardcover and then an eventual paperback,” she said. “Now, with the importance of the ebook market, that first hardcover is typically accompanied by a Kindle, Kobo and Nook edition’s availability. They’re even included in the pre-orders before the official release date.”

The ebook market has struggled to reach this point, having faced many controversies and legal battles.

For Campbell and her co-author, Amanda Giasson, there wasn’t any question as to whether or not they would be producing a version of their novels – Love at First Plight and Second Wind – in a format that was compatible with e-readers, tablets and even smartphones. Both the first and second volumes in their series were launched in formats compatible with the leading ebook retailers and they have every intention to continue in that same direction.

“I’d love to say we’re doing it because we have some kind of inside knowledge about the ebook market, but the truth is, we’re just offering our books in the format our readers want. Every author I can think of in our genre – Marissa Mayer, John Darryl Winston, Kiera Kass, Kat Stiles – has released ebook versions of their series.”

Readers appreciate the ease of e-reading. Ebooks can be downloaded immediately upon purchase and can be read wherever they have their mobile devices. Moreover, authors enjoy the opportunity to provide more digital content and media through ebooks that simply cannot be made available in traditional print. “Introducing our readers to our fantasy world of Qarradune also means introducing them to character names and places that they may not know how to pronounce. We’ve recorded the proper pronunciation of these names and have included them on our official website, which readers can easily access with a click or a tap via the link in our ebook.”

The ebook market currently accounts for about 20 percent of the total book industry. According to Amazon’s figures from 2015, indie publishers and self-published authors are gaining the most in terms of revenues, while traditional publishers appear to be among those facing the greatest struggles in this sector.

Business apps are becoming more important for companies that want to engage mobile consumers

The growth of mobile commerce has created a greater need for business applications. These apps could help companies better engage with mobile consumers, many of whom are beginning to favor shopping online with their smartphones and tablets instead of using their desktop computers. According to information from Internet Retailers, sales being made through smartphones and other mobile devices grew by 38.7% last year. As consumers become more interested in mobile shopping, the demand for business apps that can accommodate consumer needs is growing.

Mobile spending continues to grow throughout the world

In 2014, mobile spending reached $75 billion, highlighting the growing interest that consumers have in mobile shopping. This growing interest in mobile commerce is coupled with greater consumption of digital media. According to a report from Comscore, approximately 60% of digital media users spend more time on their mobile devices than on traditional computers. As such, they are more exposed to the concept of mobile commerce and are more likely to make purchases with their smartphones or tablets.

Many consumers are beginning to prefer shopping with apps online

Business apps cover a wide range of services, from companies offering to sell products to those providing consumers with news updates. These apps have become an important part of many people’s lives. Indeed, without such applications, the mobile space would not be as large as it is today. The advent of mobile commerce has created a greater need for companies to invest in the mobile space, developing and providing new apps that can provide consumers an enjoyable and convenient mobile shopping experience.

Mobile shopping is finding strong support among millennials

Mobile shopping is expected to continue growing in popularity, especially as more consumers begin to become comfortable with the notion of shopping online with their smartphones and other devices. Millennials are likely to become the primary demographic for the mobile space, as these consumers already have a strong history with mobile technology and using devices for various purposes.