I undertand that if I have a website with built-in payment by credit
card facility, then I can offer a manuscript on my site and get paid
for by those who want to download it. How do I go about doing all
this? I only have some manuscripts. Can google help  in sorting this
out as well advertising on its pages?

Hi fat55~

There are several ways to go about making an ebook available to
readers. One of the easiest is to use an ebook writer, such as
"EBooksWriter:" http://visualvision.com/ebooks_software/

One version of this software is even free (scroll down to the bottom
of the page and click on "LITE edition"), although the software is
more limiting. (For example, it allows for a limited number of pages
only.) The free or paid-for software allows you type your manuscript
into the software, lay it out in an attractive manner, include
hyperlinks (so that you can link one page to another, or link graphics
to certain pages, etc.).

The next step is to save the resulting ebook in its own file, and
upload the file to your website, just as you would upload any other
file onto your website. Include a link on your website to the
"EBooksReader" (this is free to anyone...see the link at the right
hand side of the EBooksReader homepage, under DOWNLOADS).

"EBooksWriter," as well as some other ebook programs, allows you to
make your ebook available only to those who have a password or key
code. So, in your case, you could advise customers of the price and
process their order via credit card. The easiest way to do this is
through PayPal ( http://www.paypal.com ). And since most people who
spend money on the Internet are familiar with PayPal, they should feel
comfortable doing with this.

Once the ebook is paid for, you can release a key code to the
customer. "EBooksWriter," I know from personal experience, is easily
set up so that only someone with such a code can read the book.

It's that simple. There are other programs you can use to create
ebooks also. Three other popular examples are:

* EBook Compiler: http://www.ebookcompiler.com
* InfoPublishing: http://www.123webmarketing.com/toolbox/toolbox.html
* EditorialPro: http://www.promotelinks.com/makebook

For other options for accepting credit cards, see this website:
http://freewebsitepromotion.netfirms.com/money/accept.html

and also this one: http://www.siteowners.com/tools_billing.shtml 

You may also find this article, with tips on ebook publishing,
helpful: http://www.wordweaving.com/articlejan05_01.html

As far as advertising your ebook is concerned, your best bet--at least
at first--is to use free advertising. For lots of information on this,
check out this previous Google Answer:
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=91366  As
well as this one: http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=109051
 In general, you'll find that you can increase traffic to your website
by:

* Exchanging links with related but noncompetitive markets. Simply
write a letter to the person in charge of the site, asking them to
link up to you. Be sure to tell them you're linking up to them, also
(and follow up by including a link to them on your website).
 
* Include interesting and helpful FREE articles on your website. This
will attract many web browsers.
 
* Use keywords effectively. For tips on this, go to: 
http://www.siteowners.com/article011.shtml 
 
* Be sure to submit site to free search engines like Yahoo
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/suggest/  For other places to submit your
site, look at here:  http://www.siteowners.com/tools_promotion.shtml 
To submit your site to Google, go to:
://www.google.com/webmasters/1.html
 
* Use meta tags correctly; this helps search engines categorize and
describe your web page accurately. For information on meta tags (what
they are, how to use them), try this site:
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/html/96/51/index2a.html 
 
as well as this one: 
http://searchenginewatch.com/webmasters/meta.html 
 
You certainly can use paid search engine advertising, as you suggest,
although you might want to wait until you have some sales under your
belt. To find out about advertising with Google, check out this link:
://www.google.com/ads

You may also find this posting, on website design for beginners, also
helpful:
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=88630

Good luck!
kriswrite

Keywords Used:
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