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We've all seen them. Those ugly little covers that look out of wack. What once started out as beautiful ebook cover ends up looking like it had too much to drink. Why? The most common reason is improper use of html code.

The height and width attributes in your html code are used to tell the browser exactly what size the image is and how to display it properly. It works that way with all browsers.

If you're not familiar with html code, these attributes look like this.

Width="XXX" Height="XXX"

(XXX = the actual height and width of your image in pixels - 1 inch = 72 pixels)

Let say for example your images natural attributes are width="167" height="237".

Natural attributes means it's the actual size of the image.

By using the images natural attributes in your html code, the image will display correctly and look like the professional cover it started out to be.

You'll see the smooth clean lines and natural proportions. The cover displays as it was intended to look and does a terrific job of presenting you and your product as the professional you are.

If only life were always that easy. Unfortunately, we have to make adjustments when things don't fit.

Lets say you look at your webpage you find that your ebook cover is the wrong size to fit in that special place you want to put it. Your first temptation might be to simply alter the attribute numbers to resize the image.

DON'T!

This type of improper sizing using your html code (changing the height and width attributes) to make these type of adjustments only results in distorted images.

Always use the "actual" attributes for your images. Why? Your image is a representation of your product. It's your online salesman. You wouldn't let a "human saleman" go out into public and sell your product if he was under the influence of alcohol. You don't want your "online salesman" to look like it's had too much to drink either.

So what do you do when you've come to this road block?

The ideal solution is to plan ahead and not put yourself into this position. Figure out ahead of time what specific sizes you will need and order those sizes when your images are designed. Be sure and tell your designer what you need. Don't assume that they will automatically know.

If you find that you need a different size later on, the proper way to resize your image is by using a graphics program or hiring a cover designer to properly resize it for you. The designer may charge you a small fee, but it's worth it to look like a professional.

If you're watching your pennies, most any graphics software will do the trick. If you don't have any software to do this and you don't want to spend the money to have a designer resize the image for you, search for "Free Graphics Software" on Google and I guarantee you'll find something suitable at little or no cost.