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We may take the Portable Document Format for granted these days, but when Adobe released it in the early 1990s, it revolutionized the way we share content. After all, as you probably know, PDFs, which can contain both text and images, are able to be opened by anyone, regardless of their application software, hardware, and operating system.
There are many ways in which you can use PDF files on your website and social media platforms. Here are just eight uses, followed by a look at how to get more from PDFs.
1. Embedding Information on Your Website
PDF files are a convenient way to share information on your website. For instance, you might have a downloadable brochure for prospective clients. A PDF ensures the design remains intact, regardless of the user’s device or settings.
2. Sharing Reports
Reports are also often shared as PDF files because they preserve formatting and the original integrity of content. The format can help if you need to share annual reports, research findings, or whitepapers directly on your website or via social media channels.
3. Making Forms and Applications Available
Documents like application forms, surveys, and questionnaires can all be provided in the form of downloadable PDFs on your site. This makes it easy for users to print them out and fill them in. Also, they can easily be uploaded directly on many social media sites.
4. Providing E-books and Guides
You may want to give away free e-books or guides as part of a promotion or lead generation strategy. Uploading them as PDF files allows users to easily download them right from your website or social media post.
5. Showcasing Portfolios and Case Studies
For businesses, particularly those in creative fields such as design, showcasing portfolios as tidy PDF documents gives potential clients a great way to view your previous works. Case studies, testimonials, or project descriptions can also be collated into a single PDF and shared.
6. Accessing Newsletter Archives
If you regularly send out newsletters, archiving old editions as PDFs on your website could help to keep your audience engaged. And you can share links to your archives on social media to encourage more traffic back to your site.
7. Providing Instruction Manuals
Instruction manuals or tutorials saved as PDFs provide a helpful resource for customers needing assistance with products or services. Whether linked in your website’s FAQ section or shared through a social media post, they offer accessible support.
8. Listing Policies and Terms
Having clear business policies is crucial. Sharing them as standard formatted PDF documents on your site means everyone can access the same information consistently, which could be important for avoiding misunderstandings or disputes down the line.
How to Get More from Your PDF files
There are lots of things you can do with PDF files that you may not be aware of. So, when using them for your website or social media, consider the following ways to get more from them.
Extract Text and Images
You can get more out of your PDF files by utilizing tools that let you extract text or images. This is often useful when you want to reuse content from a PDF but do not have the original source file.
Make a PDF Fillable
Creating fillable forms allows users to interact with your content more effectively. You can easily fill PDF files online from your mobile and desktop, which makes it simpler for users to engage with interactive documents like application forms or surveys.
Merge Multiple Files into One
Lastly, combining several smaller files into one comprehensive document helps keep related materials together. This not only enhances user experience but also facilitates easier file management on your end.
