Running A Digital Business? Here Are 6 Reasons to Use PDFs

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The Portable Document Format (PDF) was created in the early 1990s. Sharing papers between multiple computers and operating systems was quite difficult at the time; thus, the aim was to establish a file format that would simplify the task. Over the past decades, it has evolved into one of the most frequently used document formats on the planet.

Now, many companies find PDFs to be very beneficial. Whether you’re billing clients, keeping consistent customer records, or delivering important notes, PDFs ensure that the individual reading the document sees it just as it was intended, with no alterations due to formatting. 

For digital businesses, PDF files make it easier to organize, share, and keep track of documents, not to mention deliver stellar presentations to clients without worrying they may not be able to open your thoughtfully-designed PowerPoint slideshow. 

But this is not the only advantage digital businesses can leverage by using PDF files. This is why, in the following article, we are going to elaborate on the main reasons why you should use PDFs to improve your digital business. 

 

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Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/TOO1RFQEnQk

 

1. Be consistent in your communication

The universal format of a PDF file makes it so that that it may be accessed by anybody at any time. You get the same smooth experience whether you’re using Windows or Mac, Android or iOS, and you can rest assured knowing there will be no formatting issues once you send the file to someone else.

When you send out your marketing files in PDF format, every one of your clients will get a document that appears just like the original. Sending out a PDF version of your business communications can ensure that you always make a fantastic first impression, regardless of layout, text size, color, or font.

To provide the greatest reading experience, a PDF may be configured to open in full-screen mode by default.

 

2. Link your online content easier

PDFs are an excellent method to combine your online and offline marketing efforts. Because PDFs include hyperlinks, you aren’t limited to text and graphics alone. So, nothing is stopping you from including a link to a YouTube video of you demonstrating a service or product you are trying to promote or a landing page on your website where potential prospects can obtain more information when you send out a PDF brochure outlining your current release.

If you are a graphic designer, you can easily include a link to your portfolio when you are putting up a presentation for a potential client to win them over immediately. 

 

3. Create an interactive experience 

A properly designed PDF contains a variety of elements to provide a completely interactive experience. As a result, you can do much more with a PDF document than with, for example, a Word document.

PDFs are ideal for use as interactive forms since they can include checkboxes, radio buttons, digital signature boxes, and drop-down menus with options, to mention a few. This way, seeking consumer feedback or filling out forms is much easier. 

PDF files can also be included in your website as downloads for users. Longer material may be accessed at a later time, and additional technical information, such as manuals and white papers, can be provided. What’s more, you can also use PDFs as lead generators on your webpage, offering free guides, tips, and any sort of free content for when someone gives out their email address or registers as a prospective client with your business. 

 

4. Integrate presentations in your conference calls

Because you are mostly working with clients online, you will probably have lots of digital meetings with them. A well-designed PDF file will be easy to use and send during Zoom conferences, especially when you know that everyone present in the call will see the exact same thing regardless of the device an operating system they are using. 

You can either share your screen and go through the PDF as if you would with a normal presentation, which will be much easier to do given the fact that everyone is used to how PDF files look like, or you can send the presentation to everyone individually and ask them to follow your ideas using the PDF file as a guide. 

And, because PDF files are compressed, they become easy to share in any digital environment, be it a messaging app, email, or even a text message with a link. 

 

5. Easily edit and update your documents

You will inevitably want to alter things or add a new product or service after you’ve been utilizing your PDF brochure for a time. Perhaps you’ve received feedback from customers and wish to improve your service. It’s simple to change the artwork and start utilizing a fresh version with a PDF without too much of a hustle.

The greatest advantage here is that you don’t need to send the link to the said document again or create a new document to send to clients. You can easily edit your PDF file without the need to create a new presentation or rebuild your portfolio from scratch by using designated apps or online editors such as PDFChef

 

6. PDFs are not going away anytime soon

Although technology advances rapidly, PDFs are unlikely to be replaced anytime soon. Their format is so extensively used in corporate communications that everyone adopting a new standard would need significant technical development, plus it will take a lot of time for the world to get used to a different format.

This implies that investing in well-designed PDFs will ensure that your presentations, brochures, newsletters, or marketing material will be just as useful in the years to come. This means that your clients will be able to save and access your important business papers and marketing materials whenever they need.

Furthermore, as your customer database grows, you can continue to send out the same PDFs to those new clients, ensuring there are no discrepancies between the information your clients receive.

 

Bottom line

Technology is progressing at high speed, especially in the last few decades. In just a few years, life-changing inventions have become outdated throughout the world. However, despite its early 1990s birth, PDF is here to stay and will continue to be the dominant online document format long into the future.