E-Covers are great for helping your customers visualize your information product.  Whether you’re selling software or an ebook, your sales will improve if you have a visual representation of your product on your site.  This is because your customer will actually perceive your product to be more valuable because we are all accustomed to buying books and software in boxes. 

So, how can you create an e-cover? 

If you have a copy of PhotoShop, you can buy a set of action scripts to automate the process.  These action scripts will allow you to focus on creating a nice flat design for your book or software cover.  You may then run the action script to have a box or book cover generated from the flat design.  The script will use Photoshop’s perspective tools to give the cover a 3D look, and it will also add a reflection and shading to make the image appear more realistic.

You may also purchase a software program specifically designed for creating eCovers.  I believe one of the best programs is The Web Graphics Creator.  It’s often difficult to find in stores, but you can purchase it on Amazon for under $30.  No, it isn’t a perfect solution.  You can certainly make better images yourself using PhotoShop.  But if you don’t want to spend $300+ for PhotoShop, or you’re not really comfortable with your artistic skills, this program may be just what you’re looking for.